Wireless Capacitive Touch Control for Vehicle Accessories
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems lack convenient and wireless methods for operating accessories such as tailgates and tonneau covers, requiring significant user interaction and complex wiring, which limits configurability and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle system that includes sensors, such as capacitive touch sensors and proximity sensors, which wirelessly communicate with accessories like tailgates and tonneau covers, allowing for automatic activation based on user input or proximity, eliminating the need for physical wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If buttons are hard-wired to accessories, then accessories can be operated, but vehicle design becomes complex and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system. Sensors (capacitive touch sensors, proximity sensors) communicate with accessories via wireless signals, eliminating the need for physical wire connections between control buttons and accessories like tailgates and tonneau covers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless communication modules and sensors as intermediaries between the user and accessories. These intermediaries transmit control signals without physical wiring, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining operational capability.
2Ease of operation
If buttons are hard-wired to accessories, then accessories can be operated, but manufacturing costs and labor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system. Sensors (capacitive touch sensors, proximity sensors) communicate with accessories via wireless signals, eliminating the need for physical wire connections between control buttons and accessories like tailgates and tonneau covers.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional capacitive touch sensors are used, then keyless entry is enabled, but user interaction is still required and configurability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection using proximity sensors to identify when a user approaches the vehicle before actual interaction is needed. This allows the system to prepare for operation in advance, enabling automatic activation of accessories when the user enters the proximity zone, thereby reducing the need for explicit user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from multiple sensor types (capacitive touch sensors detecting contact, proximity sensors detecting presence) to automatically determine when and how to activate accessories. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt its operation based on real-time user behavior, reducing required user interaction while maintaining versatility.
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 reduces user interaction and manufacturing complexity by enabling wireless operation of vehicle accessories, allowing for diverse configurations and functions without the need for additional wiring, thereby enhancing convenience and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor may be a capacitive touch sensor that receives a signal based on a user contacting the sensor, and the sensor sends a wireless signal to the accessory to activate the accessory. The sensor may receive a contactless input from an external source when the external source is within a defined proximity to the sensor.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for a vehicle having an accessory positioned along the vehicle. The system may also include a sensor located along the vehicle in wireless communication with the accessory, wherein the sensor triggers activation of the accessory based on input from an external source.