Balancing Machine Touchscreen Control Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing balancing machines for vehicle wheels are not intuitive or quick to use due to the combination of touch-screen surfaces and buttons, leading to prolonged measurement and balancing times as operators struggle to navigate through menus and select functions efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A balancing machine with a touch-screen control panel that operates in both continuous and discrete modes, allowing for intuitive scrolling and selection of functions by sliding a finger along a ring-shaped surface, with discrete portions for specific function selection, and capacitive buttons for starting/stopping operations, enhancing user interaction and data management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a touch-screen control panel with scrolling capability is used, then the interface becomes more intuitive and easier to navigate, but the time required to scroll through menus and select functions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel is divided into multiple functional zones: a touch-sensitive display area for scrolling through menus, a dedicated button area for function selection, and a separate control area for parameter adjustment. This segmentation allows each zone to serve its specific purpose efficiently, reducing the time needed to navigate through menus while maintaining intuitiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel integrates multiple functions into a single interface: menu scrolling, function selection, parameter adjustment, and operation control are all handled through the same touch-sensitive surface. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate controls for each operation, reducing overall interaction time while improving ease of use.
2Adaptability or versatility
If both touch-screen surface and buttons are combined, then the control panel offers more functionality, but the complexity of operation increases and becomes less quick and intuitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the scrolling function from the button operations and implements it through dedicated touch-sensitive zones on the display surface. This separation allows the buttons to be dedicated solely to function selection while the touch surface handles navigation, reducing operational complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel dynamically adapts its interface based on the current operation mode. The touch-sensitive display automatically adjusts the visibility and interactivity of different elements based on whether the user is scrolling, selecting a function, or adjusting parameters. This dynamic behavior simplifies operation by presenting only the relevant controls at any given time, reducing perceived complexity while maintaining full functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If scrolling through all menus and options is required, then all functions can be accessed, but the total measurement and balancing time is considerably affected
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel stores frequently used functions and settings in easily accessible positions on the display, allowing operators to access these without scrolling through the entire menu structure. Common balancing parameters and quick-adjustment options are pre-positioned within easy reach, reducing the time needed to access them while maintaining access to all functions through the full menu system.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The balancing machine for balancing vehicle wheels comprises a supporting structure of grip and rotation means for gripping and rotating a wheel to be balanced, detection means for detecting the unbalance of the wheel during rotation, a processing unit which is operatively associated to said grip and rotation means and to said detection means, a screen associated to the supporting structure which is operatively associated to the processing unit and adapted to display the detected unbalance data and selectable functions or lists of functions, a control panel for the selection of the functions or lists of functions having a touch-screen control surface, and control means for controlling the operation of the control surface between a continuous operating mode, in which the touching of the control surface between two positions leads to scrolling between the functions or lists of functions, and a discrete operating mode, in which on the control surface is determined at least a discrete portion and the touching of the discrete portion leads to the selection of one of the functions or lists of functions.