Motor Vehicle Command Selector with Progressive Luminous Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle control selectors using magneto-rheological fluids lack precision in indexing control positions, as users are unsure if their input has been registered due to the absence of clear feedback on force application duration and intensity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a luminous indicator with progressive lighting that modifies its display based on the duration of force exertion beyond a predetermined threshold, allowing users to visually confirm their input has been registered and estimate the required time to maintain the force, along with a force sensor to measure and control the movement of the control member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a magneto-rheological fluid interface is used to create resistance force and block control member movement, then unwanted tripping is avoided, but the user cannot know whether their input has been registered due to lack of visual feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a luminous indicator that provides visual feedback to the user during force application. The indicator illuminates when a predetermined force threshold is exceeded and remains illuminated for a predetermined duration, allowing the user to see that their input has been registered and to estimate the time remaining before the control member will move. This feedback mechanism resolves the information loss while maintaining the reliability benefits of the magneto-rheological fluid interface.
2Measurement precision
If the control member requires a predetermined force and duration threshold to move, then precision is improved, but the operation becomes more complex as users must maintain force for a specific duration
Solution Approach 1:
The luminous indicator simplifies operation by providing real-time visual feedback about the force application status. Users can see when they have exceeded the force threshold and how much time remains before the control member moves, eliminating the need to guess or estimate the required duration. This makes the precise threshold-based operation intuitive and easy to use.
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 user confidence by providing visual feedback on input registration and reduces unwanted tripping by ensuring the control member moves only when the predetermined force and duration thresholds are met, improving the precision and usability of the control selector.
Implementation Method 1
a magneto-rheological fluid capable of creating a braking force at a rotating element in the fluid when a magnetic field is applied to the fluid because the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid changes with the intensity of the magnetic field applied
Implementation Method 2
at least one coil for applying a magnetic field to the magneto-rheological fluid, the unit for applying a magnetic field being configured to modify the power supply to the coil to modify a resistance force generated at the user moving the control unit
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4d
AI summary
The invention relates to a command selector (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising: a control member (4) configured to select at least one command position; a magnetorheological fluid module (13); a force sensor (21) configured to measure a force exerted on the control member (4); and a processing unit (3) connected to the force sensor (21) and configured to control the magnetic field application unit (14) in order to authorise the movement of the control member (4) towards a command position selected by the user (2) when a force exerted on the control member (4) is greater than a given force threshold after a given duration threshold, characterised in that it comprises an indicator light (7) including progressive lighting means for progressively altering the illumination of the indicator light (7) according to the duration for which the force is exerted on the control member (4) above the given force threshold.