Button Selection Trace Light Indicator for Vehicle Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle instrument panels face challenges in clearly associating fixed buttons with corresponding digital display features, limiting the placement of digital displays due to the need for buttons to be physically near the display, which restricts the location of the display and increases off-road glance times.
Innovation Solution
A control display assembly that uses light paths extending between buttons and graphic features on a digital display to create a visual association, allowing buttons to be placed farther away while maintaining clear pairing, utilizing a rotatable dial to select between light paths for actuating multiple graphic features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If fixed buttons are placed next to the digital display for clear association, then the button-feature pairing is clear, but the display location is restricted and off-road glance times increase
Solution Approach 1:
A light path is introduced as an intermediary visual element that connects the button to its corresponding graphic feature on the display. The light path extends from the button to the display, providing a clear visual association without requiring physical proximity, thus resolving the contradiction between association clarity and display placement flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from spatial proximity (physical dimension) to optical connection (visual dimension). By using a light path that visually connects the button to the graphic feature, the system eliminates the need for physical closeness while maintaining clear association, allowing the display to be positioned in the driver's line of sight
2Loss of time
If the digital display is placed farther from the driver for better visibility, then off-road glance times are reduced, but clear association with buttons becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The light path serves as a visual mediator that bridges the increased distance between the button and the display. It provides continuous visual feedback that maintains the button-feature association even when the display is positioned farther away for optimal driver visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The light path utilizes visual characteristics (illumination, trace generation) to indicate the active button-feature pairing. The visual changes in the light path provide clear feedback about which button is associated with which graphic feature, maintaining association clarity despite increased distance
3Ease of operation
If multiple graphic features are controlled by separate buttons, then each feature has dedicated control, but the number of physical buttons increases
Solution Approach 1:
A rotatable dial is implemented as a multi-functional control mechanism that can select between multiple graphic features. By rotating the dial to different positions, a single control element can access and control multiple features, eliminating the need for separate buttons for each feature while maintaining precise control
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable dial introduces dynamic control capability, allowing the operator to switch between different graphic features and their associated light paths by rotating the dial to different positions. This dynamic mechanism replaces multiple static buttons with a single adaptable control element
Data Source
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AI summary
A control display assembly includes a digital display for generating graphic features that represent vehicle system operating parameters and functions that are selectable by an operator. A plurality of buttons are spaced apart from the display and are associated with one of the graphic features generated by the display through a corresponding light path. The light path extends between one of the buttons and a corresponding graphic feature to provide a visual association between the button and the graphic feature generated by the display.