Configurable Digital Instrument Panel for Motor Vehicles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern motor vehicles often face challenges with digital instrument panels that are not optimally designed to meet the varying operational needs and user preferences, particularly in multipurpose vehicles where usage can change over time and may differ between drivers.

Innovation Solution

A configurable digital instrument panel system that allows users to select and customize UI components, appearance, and activation events, enabling the creation and storage of user-defined configurations, which can be easily switched based on specific vehicle conditions and user preferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed digital instrument panel design is used, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but the adaptability to different users and operating conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to user preferences and operating conditionsVSAvoidinstrument panel configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument panel configuration is made dynamic and changeable rather than fixed. Users can modify UI components, their arrangement, and activation events according to different operating conditions and personal preferences. The system allows real-time reconfiguration of the digital instrument panel without requiring physical changes to the hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The instrument panel is divided into separate configurable UI components that can be independently selected, arranged, and customized. Each UI component can be configured separately, allowing users to create personalized layouts by selecting specific components for different operating modes such as driving, parking, or cargo management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple predefined configurations are provided, then the adaptability to different operating conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases due to more configuration options

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage of operating scenariosVSAvoidnumber of configurations
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The instrument panel system is designed to serve multiple functions and operating conditions through a single unified configuration framework. The same digital instrument panel can be reconfigured for different modes such as driving, parking, cargo management, and user-specific preferences, eliminating the need for separate physical panels for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the instrument panel is fully digital and configurable, then the adaptability and user customization are improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to configuration complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser customization capabilityVSAvoidconfiguration setup ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides predefined instrument panel configurations that are prepared in advance for common operating conditions and user preferences. Users can quickly select from these pre-configured options without having to manually configure each parameter, reducing the time and effort required to set up the instrument panel for different scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3192692B1Configurable digital instrument panel for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 PARKER HANNIFIN EMEA SARL
  • EP3192692B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3192692B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3192692B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

According to an example embodiment, a method for providing a digital instrument panel in a motor vehicle is provided. The method comprises storing a plurality of predefined digital instrument panel configurations, wherein a digital instrument panel configuration defines at least one or more user interface, UI, components for conveying a respective piece of vehicle information to be included in the respective digital instrument panel, appearance of said one or more UI components in the respective digital instrument panel, and an activation event that defines a condition that causes selection of the respective instrument panel configuration; selecting an active instrument panel configuration from said plurality of predefined digital instrument panel configurations in dependence of respective activation events defined for the plurality of predefined digital instrument panel configurations; and displaying, in a display means arranged in a dashboard of the motor vehicle, a digital instrument panel in accordance with the active instrument panel configuration