Vehicle Sensor Device Surface State Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sensor devices for generating actuation signals in vehicles, such as those used in touch screens or touch pads, often experience undesired triggering due to mass inertia of the hand or finger on poor quality underlying surfaces, requiring additional and heavier components like separate acceleration sensors, increasing manufacturing and maintenance costs, space, and weight.
Innovation Solution
A sensor device that includes a transducer, an acceleration intermediary with a movably mounted inert mass, and an underlying surface state detector, which converts acceleration into an actuation signal, allowing the device to differentiate between surface states without a separate acceleration sensor, thereby reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs, space, and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate acceleration sensor is added to detect surface state, then the reliability of actuation signal processing is improved, but the device complexity, manufacturing cost, maintenance cost, space requirement, and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the acceleration sensing function with the existing transducer by using the transducer's mechanical structure itself as the acceleration sensor. The inert mass and spring element are integrated into the transducer assembly, allowing the transducer to simultaneously perform its original function and detect acceleration forces caused by vehicle motion on poor surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The transducer is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the original actuation transducer and as an acceleration sensor. By evaluating the actuation signal for characteristics indicative of acceleration forces, the same hardware component performs dual roles, eliminating the need for a separate acceleration sensor.
2Reliability
If a separate acceleration sensor is added to detect surface state, then the reliability of actuation signal processing is improved, but the manufacturing cost and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The acceleration sensing components (inert mass, spring element) are integrated into the existing transducer manufacturing process. This consolidation allows both functions to be produced in a single manufacturing line, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost compared to producing and assembling separate acceleration sensors.
3Reliability
If a separate acceleration sensor is added to detect surface state, then the reliability of actuation signal processing is improved, but the space required in the vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acceleration detection function is integrated into the existing transducer housing and mechanical structure. The inert mass is positioned within the transducer assembly space, utilizing the same physical envelope rather than requiring additional dedicated space for a separate acceleration sensor.
4Reliability
If a separate acceleration sensor is added to detect surface state, then the reliability of actuation signal processing is improved, but the weight of the vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inert mass required for acceleration sensing is integrated into the transducer assembly rather than being a separate component. This consolidation eliminates the weight of additional mounting structures, housings, and electronic components that would be required for a separate acceleration sensor.
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
Enables the detection of poor quality surfaces without additional sensors, allowing for ergonomic design and reduced vehicle weight, while maintaining effective actuation signal processing, thus improving the reliability and efficiency of operator control inputs.
Implementation Method 1
The acceleration intermediary (3) has a movably mounted inert mass (M) and converts an acceleration (A) of the transducer (W) into an actuation (B), which is applied to the transducer (W)
Implementation Method 2
a transducer (W) for converting an actuation (B), applied to the transducer (W), into a raw actuation signal (BRS)
Data Source
AI summary
A transducer converts an actuation, applied to the transducer, into a raw actuation signal. The sensor device comprises an acceleration intermediary for converting an acceleration of the transducer into an actuation which is applied to the transducer, an underlying surface state detector for generating an underlying surface state signal by evaluating the raw actuation signal and an actuation signal generator for generating the actuation signal, processed in dependence on an underlying surface state, by evaluating the raw actuation signal taking into account the underlying surface state signal.Furthermore, the invention relates to a corresponding vehicle and to a corresponding method for generating an actuation signal which is processed in dependence on an underlying surface state.