Vehicle Touch Interface with Force Triangulation and Haptic Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automotive user interfaces lack efficient methods for accurately determining the location and intensity of user input on touch surfaces, particularly on steering wheels, which can lead to inaccuracies in command recognition and user experience.

Innovation Solution

A user interface system for vehicles, including a touch surface with a set of force sensors and a controller that triangulates the location of a finger press based on feedback from multiple sensors, combined with haptic elements for feedback, to enhance precision and user interaction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple force sensors are used to improve location detection precision, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation detection precisionVSAvoidsensor arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The touch surface is divided into multiple discrete sensing zones, each with its own force sensor. This segmentation allows the system to detect finger presses at different locations by determining which sensor zone is activated, thereby improving location detection precision while keeping the sensor configuration manageable through systematic zonation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from single-point force sensing to multi-zone force sensing by adding spatial distribution of sensors. This dimensional expansion across the touch surface enables location detection by comparing which sensor zones register force, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If force sensors are positioned directly under user interface regions, then detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefinger press location accuracyVSAvoidsensor positioning difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the touch surface are assigned different sensing characteristics by positioning force sensors at specific locations beneath certain user interface regions. This local differentiation allows optimized detection accuracy for specific high-priority zones while simplifying manufacturing in other areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If haptic feedback elements are added to provide differentiated feedback, then user experience is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experienceVSAvoidhaptic system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Haptic feedback elements are integrated into the user interface to provide tactile responses to user interactions. These elements deliver differentiated feedback based on the detected finger press location and intensity, enhancing user experience by confirming interactions and guiding user input through tactile cues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The haptic feedback elements are combined with the force sensing system and user interface components into an integrated assembly. This merging allows the haptic elements to work in coordination with the force sensors and display elements, providing a unified interaction experience while reducing overall system complexity compared to separate independent systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 system provides precise detection of user input location and intensity, improving command recognition and user experience by offering differentiated haptic feedback, thus enhancing the usability and functionality of vehicle controls.

Implementation Method 1

a set of three force sensors disposed below the touch surface, wherein the set of three force sensors corresponds to the user interface region

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce sensing: Force

Implementation Method 2

the controller is configured to triangulate a location of a finger press on the touch surface based on feedback from each of the three force sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTriangulation:

Implementation Method 3

a capacitive touch sensing surface with backlight light-emitting diodes (LEDs)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitive sensing: Capacitance

Implementation Method 4

capacitive touch sensing surface with backlight light-emitting diodes (LEDs)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission from LED: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 5

a vibrotactile haptic actuator coupled to the capacitive touch sensing surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4697144A1Automotive user interface

Publication Date: 2026.02.18 STRATTEC SECURITY CORP

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AI summary

A user interface for a vehicle includes a touch surface having a user interface region, and a set of three force sensors disposed below the touch surface. The set of three force sensors corresponds to the user interface region. The user interface also includes a controller coupled to the three force sensors, wherein the controller is configured to triangulate a location of a finger press on the touch surface based on feedback from each of the three force sensors.