Vehicle Drive Mode Controller with Temporary Display Window

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Solution Overview

Problem

Four-wheel drive vehicles often require excessive and cumbersome displays for drive modes and traveling modes, which can be distracting for drivers, especially when switching between modes.

Innovation Solution

A controller with a multi-information display that includes a single window for both drive mode and traveling mode, using a first operation part for drive mode selection and a second operation part for off-road traveling mode, with a display controller that announces the modes and turns them off after a predetermined time, enhancing visibility and reducing driver distraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If drive modes and traveling modes are constantly displayed on the multi-information display, then the driver can confirm the current modes, but the display becomes excessive and distracting for the driver

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemode information visibilityVSAvoiddriver distraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The display controller displays mode information temporarily for a predetermined period after mode switching is detected, then turns off the display. This periodic display approach provides necessary information to the driver without causing continuous distraction, resolving the contradiction between information visibility and driver focus.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Loss of information

If a dedicated display for off-road traveling modes is provided, then off-road mode information is clearly presented, but the space and cost requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoff-road mode information presentationVSAvoiddisplay system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multi-information display is designed to serve multiple functions: displaying both drive mode information and off-road traveling mode information using the same display resources. This eliminates the need for a dedicated off-road display, reducing space and cost requirements while maintaining clear information presentation.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The display controller merges the presentation of drive mode and traveling mode information into a single unified display interface, consolidating multiple information streams into one coherent display area rather than requiring separate dedicated displays for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of information

If multiple display areas are provided for drive mode and traveling mode, then both modes can be displayed simultaneously, but the display becomes more complex and harder to read

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomprehensive mode information displayVSAvoiddisplay readability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display controller combines drive mode and traveling mode information into a single integrated display area, presenting both modes together in one unified view rather than requiring separate display areas. This merging approach maintains comprehensive information display while improving readability and reducing visual complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3059111B1Controller for four-wheel drive vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.03.21 MITSUBISHI MOTORS CORP
  • EP3059111B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3059111B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4
  • EP3059111B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A controller for a four-wheel drive vehicle includes a multi-information display (40), a first operation part (5) for switching of drive modes, a second operation part (6) for switching of off-road traveling modes, a transfer controller (1) that controls the arrangement of a transfer device (13) based on the drive mode, a detector (8) that detects the arrangement of the transfer device (13), a setter (2b) that sets the traveling mode based on the detected arrangement and input operations to the first and second operation parts (5, 6), and a display controller (3) that instructs the multi-information display (40) to display the drive mode based on the input operation to the first operation part (5) and the detected arrangement and to display the traveling mode set by the setter (2b). The display controller (3) displays the drive mode and the traveling mode on a window (41) when the switched drive mode is a locked drive mode and simultaneously turns off these modes after a predetermined time.