Dashboard Ornament Motion Control Using Turn-Sensing Servo Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle interior decorations lack the ability to enhance the driving experience by personalizing and sharing the journey, particularly for single occupants or thrill seekers, as they are limited to exterior expressions that do not engage occupants inside the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A dashboard ornamental object system that utilizes an accelerometer to sense vehicle turns, processes signals with a microcontroller to reduce noise, and controls a servomechanism to rotate an ornamental object clockwise or counterclockwise based on the turn direction, enhancing the driving experience through real-time motion synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If exterior decorations (bumper stickers, window stickers) are used to personalize the vehicle, then the vehicle can be customized and shared with others, but the occupants inside the vehicle cannot personalize or share their interior experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions personalization from the exterior dimension (visible to others) to the interior dimension (experienced by occupants). The ornamental object creates a new dimension of interaction by responding to vehicle motion dynamics, allowing occupants to personalize their experience through motion-based animation rather than static exterior decorations.
Solution Approach 2:
The ornamental object serves itself by using the vehicle's own motion (acceleration, turns) as its power source and control input. The accelerometer detects vehicle motion and automatically triggers appropriate animations without requiring occupant intervention, making the personalization system self-operating while enhancing occupant engagement.
2Ease of operation
If a dashboard ornamental object with accelerometer and servomechanism is implemented, then real-time motion synchronization and occupant engagement are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ornamental object serves multiple functions: it acts as a decorative element, a motion sensor platform, a control system, and an animated companion. By combining the accelerometer, circuit board, servomechanism, and ornamental figure into a single multi-functional unit, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the sensing (accelerometer), processing (circuit board with computer code), actuation (servomechanism), and display (ornamental object) functions into an integrated dashboard unit. This consolidation simplifies installation and reduces the number of separate components needed to achieve motion-based personalization.
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
The system provides a personalized and engaging interior experience by mimicking vehicle turns with a rotating ornament, offering joy and shared excitement for occupants, regardless of their driving purpose.
Implementation Method 1
an accelerometer, pendulum, or vehicle's accelerometer senses centripetal acceleration when the vehicle turns
Implementation Method 2
an accelerometer, pendulum, or vehicle's accelerometer senses centripetal acceleration when the vehicle turns
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for a dashboard ornamental object having an accelerometer sense movement in the vehicle and sends outgoing signals to be received by a circuit board capable of receiving such outgoing signals. Computer code then manipulates the outgoing signals from the accelerometer, by amplifying inputs for slower movements and averaging the data signals to reduce noise and irregular jolts, and sends a corresponding signal to the servomechanism. A stand holds the servo on the dash of a vehicle and a servo arm rotates an ornamental object clockwise or counterclockwise according to the turn direction of the vehicle.