Vehicle Drive Mode Interface With Trailer-Aware Component Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle systems lack an intuitive and efficient interface for selecting and modifying drive modes, particularly when towing a trailer, which can lead to driver distraction and inappropriate mode configurations.
Innovation Solution
A hierarchical drive mode interface system with trailer-specific sub-modes, allowing users to select and adjust vehicle attributes through a user-friendly interface, including per-wheel and per-component information display, and adaptive sensitivity based on drive mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional vehicle interface is used for selecting drive modes, then the system structure is simple, but driver distraction increases and mode selection efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface is segmented into multiple hierarchical levels: main drive mode selection, trailer-specific sub-modes, and per-component information displays. This segmentation allows drivers to access only relevant information for current needs, reducing distraction while improving selection efficiency through organized categorization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a hierarchical dimension to the interface structure, transitioning from flat traditional menus to multi-level organized displays. This dimensional change enables efficient mode selection through structured navigation while presenting information in a less distracting, more manageable format.
2Loss of information
If per-component information is displayed for all vehicle components, then information completeness improves, but interface complexity and driver distraction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interface implements local quality by displaying per-component information selectively based on current drive mode and trailer configuration. Instead of showing all component information simultaneously, the system presents only relevant local information for each operational context, maintaining completeness while reducing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The information display is dynamic and adaptive, changing based on selected drive mode, trailer presence, and operational state. The interface automatically adjusts which per-component information is displayed, ensuring completeness of relevant information while minimizing unnecessary complexity for each specific situation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If trailer-specific drive modes are added, then adaptability to towing scenarios improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mode system uses a nested structure where trailer-specific sub-modes are nested within main drive mode categories. This nesting allows the system to provide specialized adaptability for towing scenarios while organizing complexity hierarchically, making the system manageable through structured categorization.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface system serves multiple functions: general drive mode selection, trailer-specific mode selection, per-component information display, and adaptive sensitivity adjustment. This multi-functionality achieves high adaptability for various scenarios including towing while consolidating features into a single universal interface rather than separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive mode hierarchy includes drive mode categories and drive modes belonging to each category. Each drive mode defines values for attributes of the drivetrain and/or suspension of a vehicle. Each drive mode may further have towing and non-towing sub-modes with the towing sub-mode being used when a trailer is detected. An interface is provided for selecting drive modes from the hierarchy and modifying the attributes. The vehicle may define a plurality of trailer profiles including attributes of trailers, such as weight and aerodynamic drag. A user may select among trailer profiles and define the attributes of the trailer profiles. Interfaces displayed by the vehicle may vary according to the selected drive mode and may include a chassis view with interface elements displaying real-time information of components of the vehicle, such as wheels, suspension, and battery. Tiles including real-time information may be displayed according to the selected drive mode.