Vehicle Proximity Sensor Layout With Conductive Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuating devices for motor vehicles face challenges in being compact, reliable, and aesthetically integrated while maintaining structural integrity and avoiding interference from environmental influences, especially in detecting user approaches without compromising the vehicle's design.
Innovation Solution
A flat or slightly curved actuating device with spaced proximity sensors, including capacitive and magnetic field sensors, is designed with electrically insulating plastic covers and conductive separators, allowing for time-resolved signal evaluation and separation of detection areas, enhancing reliability and aesthetic integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If multiple proximity sensors are arranged close together to achieve compact design, then the device size is reduced, but the sensors interfere with each other's detection areas
Solution Approach 1:
Electrically conductive separating devices are positioned between adjacent proximity sensors to act as intermediaries. These separators limit the detection areas of individual sensors and prevent mutual interference, enabling reliable operation of compact sensor arrays with multiple sensors arranged in close proximity.
2Ease of operation
If sensors are made directly accessible for easy operation, then ease of operation is improved, but environmental influences such as moisture or damage can reach the sensors
Solution Approach 1:
Electrically insulating plastic covers are provided for each proximity sensor. These thin film covers separate the sensors from the environment while remaining permeable to electric and magnetic fields, allowing the sensors to detect approaching objects through the covers while being protected from moisture and physical damage.
3Shape
If the sensor array is designed with a flat structure for aesthetic integration, then visual integration is improved, but the sensors cannot be effectively shielded from environmental influences
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array employs a nested structure where electrically insulating plastic covers enclose individual sensors, and electrically conductive separating devices are positioned between the sensors within the flat array structure. This nested arrangement provides effective shielding and environmental protection while maintaining the flat, aesthetically integrated design of the overall sensor array.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a robust, easy-to-use, and visually integrated actuating device that effectively detects user approaches with improved resistance to environmental influences and allows for complex movement pattern monitoring, enhancing operational simplicity and visibility.
Implementation Method 1
optical and capacitive sensor devices are known that detect the approach of a user or a part of a user's body
Implementation Method 2
sensors that detect a change in the magnetic field in the sensor's environment
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
An operating device for a motor vehicle, having a plurality of proximity sensors (1, 2, 3) for detecting contactless operation, wherein the operating device extends in a first plane and the sensors (1, 2, 3) are arranged at a distance from one another in the plane and are oriented with their detection regions in the same spatial direction. A control and evaluation device (15) is coupled to the sensors, said control and evaluation device being designed to detect the sensor signals to each of the sensors with respect to time. The sensors are covered by at least one electrically insulating plastic cover (5; 6, 7, 8) and in this way separated from the detection region. At least one electrically conductive separating device (10) is arranged between the sensors, in a manner oriented toward that side which faces the detection regions and such that it is immediately adjacent to the plastic cover (5; 6, 7, 8).