External Vehicle Interface for Short-Distance Movement Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience when frequently moving vehicles over short distances for outdoor activities, as they need to repeatedly enter and exit the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows vehicle movement via an external interface removably attached to the vehicle exterior surface, enabling users to control vehicle movement and steering without entering the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user enters and exits the vehicle frequently to move it over short distances, then the vehicle can be repositioned as needed, but the user convenience and time efficiency deteriorate due to repeated entry and exit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external interface device as an intermediary between the user and the vehicle's movement control system. This interface can be positioned outside the vehicle (e.g., held in the user's hand or mounted on equipment) and communicates with the vehicle via wireless or wired connection, allowing the user to control vehicle movement without physically entering the vehicle interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into separate components: the vehicle's control unit and an external interface device. This segmentation allows the interface to be independently positioned and operated outside the vehicle, enabling users to control movement from a convenient location without needing to be inside the vehicle cabin.
2Ease of operation
If an external interface is provided outside the vehicle for movement control, then user convenience improves by eliminating repeated entry and exit, but the device complexity increases due to additional interface components and communication systems
Solution Approach 1:
The external interface device is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a control input device for vehicle movement, a communication transceiver for data exchange with the vehicle, and potentially a display or feedback device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface device utilizes the user's existing mobile device (smartphone, tablet, or wearable) as the external interface, eliminating the need to manufacture and deploy a completely separate control device. The vehicle's existing communication systems (wireless or wired) are leveraged to establish the connection, reducing the overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle including a transceiver, a vehicle sensor unit and a processor is disclosed. The transceiver may be configured to receive interface information from an interface sensor unit associated with an external interface. The external interface may be configured to be removably attached to a plurality of connection ports disposed on the vehicle. The vehicle sensor unit may be configured to determine vehicle information associated with at least one of a vehicle movement and the plurality of connection ports. The processor may obtain the interface information and/or the vehicle information. The processor may further determine an interface location relative to the vehicle based on the interface information and/or the vehicle information. Further, the processor may control a vehicle speed and/or a vehicle steering wheel rotation based on the interface location.