Cruise Control Key Button State Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cruise control devices with key button activation lack automatic state retention upon ignition, requiring manual reactivation, while indexing mechanisms are aesthetically undesirable but offer convenience through automatic state retention.

Innovation Solution

A cruise control device with a key button activation mechanism that includes a storage device to store the device's state and a readout device to restore the state upon ignition, allowing automatic transition from a switched off state to a standby or control state based on previously stored settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an activation device is embodied as an indexing mechanism, then the cruise control device can be automatically transferred into the standby operating state after ignition, but the activation device remains in a latched position which is aesthetically undesirable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic state retentionVSAvoidaesthetic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical indexing mechanism with an electronic key button activation device combined with electronic memory (storage device) and processing logic (readout device). This substitution maintains the automatic state retention function while eliminating the visible latched position, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The storage device stores the operational state of the cruise control system before ignition is turned off. When ignition is restarted, the readout device retrieves this stored state and automatically restores the cruise control to its previous operating condition (standby or control mode), eliminating the need for manual reactivation and providing automatic state retention without mechanical indicators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Shape

If an activation device is embodied as a key button, then the activation device returns to its initial state providing aesthetic appeal, but the cruise control device cannot be automatically transferred into the standby operating state after ignition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidmanual reactivation requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances the simple key button mechanism by integrating electronic memory (storage device) and control logic (readout device). This electronic augmentation allows the aesthetic key button design to retain memory of the previous operational state, enabling automatic restoration of cruise control functionality without requiring manual reactivation, thus resolving the contradiction between aesthetic appearance and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The cruise control system serves itself by automatically detecting its previous operational state through the readout device and restoring that state without requiring driver intervention. The system uses its own stored information to reactivate itself, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining the aesthetic key button design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If manual reactivation is required after each ignition, then the activation device structure can be simple, but the convenience for the driver is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactivation device structureVSAvoiddriver convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The storage device performs preliminary action by storing the cruise control operational state before ignition is turned off. This advance preparation allows the system to automatically restore the previous state after ignition, eliminating the need for manual reactivation and significantly improving driver convenience while adding only minimal electronic components (storage and readout devices) to the activation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7813861B2Cruise control device

Publication Date: 2010.10.12 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

A cruise control device has an activation device embodied as a key button. By activating the activation device it is possible to transfer the cruise control device, from a switched off operating state to a switched on standby operating state, and by a further activation of the activation device it is possible to transfer the cruise control device from the standby operating state to a switched on control operating state. The cruise control device has a storage device storing a state of the cruise control device immediately before the motor vehicle is switched off and a readout device which reads out the stored state of the cruise control device immediately after the motor vehicle is switched on. If the cruise control device had a switched on operating state immediately before the ignition device is last switched off, the cruise control device is transferred automatically to the standby operating state.