Vehicular Operating Device Pressing Force Gesture Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicular touch pads using capacitive sensors on steering wheels are prone to erroneous operations due to the need for a wide surface area, which restricts placement and increases operation load, and capacitive sensors require a large space for grounding, leading to reduced operability and increased risk of accidental gestures.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular operating device with an operation-detection device that recognizes slide operations based on pressing force, inhibiting gesture pattern recognition below a predetermined force threshold, and using a capacitive sensor or piezoelectric element with an elastic member to reduce sensor size and detectable area, thereby improving accuracy and reducing operation load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a capacitive sensor is used as a touch sensor on the steering wheel, then the touch operation can be detected, but erroneous operations are likely to occur due to the need for a wide surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from capacitance change to pressing force magnitude. By detecting the absolute value of pressing force rather than capacitance variation, the system can accurately identify intentional touch operations while filtering out accidental contacts, thereby improving measurement precision without requiring a wide surface area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the capacitive sensing mechanism with a mechanical pressing force detection mechanism. Instead of measuring electrical capacitance changes, the system uses a sensor to detect the magnitude of pressing force applied by the finger, substituting an electrical field-based system with a mechanical force-based system
2Reliability
If a large space is allocated for grounding capacitive sensors, then the sensors can be securely grounded, but the position where the touch pad can be disposed is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the capacitive sensor system that requires extensive grounding space with a pressing force detection system. This substitution eliminates the need for large grounding areas, allowing the operating device to be placed in limited spaces on the steering wheel while maintaining reliable detection functionality
3Adaptability or versatility
If the range in which the finger moves on the touch pad is widened, then more gesture operations can be detected, but the operation load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection approach from scanning multiple capacitive sensors across a wide area to detecting pressing force at a specific location. By focusing on the magnitude of pressing force rather than the position and movement across a large surface, the system maintains gesture detection capability while reducing the operational range required, thereby decreasing operation load
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 effectively suppresses erroneous operations by ensuring intentional gestures are recognized, reduces the necessary space for the operating device, and enhances operability and safety during vehicle operation by accurately guiding the operator's finger to the correct surface.
Implementation Method 1
since a capacitive sensor is used as a touch sensor
Implementation Method 2
a piezoelectric element which generates an charge in response to stress
Data Source
AI summary
An operation detection unit of a vehicular operating device is configured to detect a pressing force in a pressing direction substantially perpendicular to a plane including an operation direction of a slide operation by the finger of an operator on an operating surface. A control device does not execute recognition of a gesture pattern based on the slide operation if the pressing force detected by the operation detection unit is smaller than a first threshold value A, and recognizes a gesture pattern based on the slide operation after the pressing force has reached the first threshold value A or more. The control device controls a vehicle equipment in accordance with the recognized gesture pattern.