Vehicle Window Switch Panel With Swing and Capacitance Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional switch devices for vehicle power windows have different shapes and operability for front and rear seat windows, leading to inconsistent user experience due to varying physical interactions.

Innovation Solution

An input device with a base and operation panel featuring swingable operation knobs and capacitance detection electrodes, allowing for uniform operation loads and detection of pressing and pulling-up actions across both front and rear seat window controls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different shapes are used for front and rear seat window switch knobs, then each switch can be optimized for its specific function, but operability becomes inconsistent across different window controls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction-specific optimizationVSAvoidoperability consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The operation panel is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate both front and rear seat window control operations. The panel includes operation knobs with recessed portions that accept fingers in standardized ways, allowing consistent operability across different window controls while maintaining adaptability to various functions through the control unit's ability to discriminate between different operation types (pressing, pulling-up, pushing-down) on the same panel structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating different physical shapes for front and rear window switches, the invention inverts the approach by using the same physical structure for both, but detecting different operations (pressing vs. pulling-up) on the same operation knob. This allows function-specific optimization through detection methods rather than physical form differences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If the operation panel is made swingable to detect pressing and pulling-up operations, then detection accuracy improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation detection accuracyVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The operation panel is made swingable about a shaft portion, transforming it from a static to a dynamic structure. This allows the panel to detect different operations (pressing, pulling-up, pushing-down) through its swing movements in different directions. The dynamic structure enables accurate detection of operation types while using a relatively simple mechanical swing mechanism rather than complex sensor arrays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses mechanical swing detection combined with capacitance detection electrodes to identify different operation types. The capacitance detection system replaces more complex mechanical sensors or switches, using electrical field changes detected by electrodes to determine when and how the operation panel is being manipulated, thereby improving detection accuracy without proportionally increasing mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enhances operability by equalizing the operation loads and providing a uniform user experience for both front and rear seat window controls, improving the overall usability of the input device.

Implementation Method 1

a first capacitance detection electrode provided in the first operation knob and configured to detect contact with the first operation part or the second operation part therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

a detector that detects a change (deflection) in a physical quantity due to an operation of the switch knob

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeflection detection:

Data Source

PatentUS12261000B2Input device

Publication Date: 2025.03.25 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD

AI summary

An input device includes a base, an operation panel, and a shaft portion. The input device includes a first operation knob having a first operation part to swing the panel in a first swing direction and a second operation part to swing the panel in a second swing direction, the second operation knob having a third operation part to swing the panel in the second swing direction and a fourth operation part to swing the operation panel in the first swing direction. The input device includes a control unit to discriminate between a pressing operation and a pulling-up operation based on based on output of each of a swing detector, a first capacitance detection electrode, and a second capacitance detection electrode.