Floating Rotary Dial Interface for Automotive Instrument Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automobile instrumentation, particularly rotary dial switches, lack innovative user interfaces and aesthetics, limiting user experience and design possibilities.

Innovation Solution

A user interface system featuring a rotary dial mounted on an arm extending from the instrument panel, separated by a void, which communicates electronically with an encoder circuit via a sensor, allowing for independent movement and enhanced aesthetic design options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a rotary dial switch is mounted directly to the circuit board, then the device complexity is reduced, but the aesthetic design possibilities and user experience are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidaesthetic design possibilities

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary dial switch assembly is divided into separate components: the rotary dial itself, the actuator mechanism, and the circuit board with encoder circuit. This segmentation allows each component to be designed and manufactured independently, enabling aesthetic customization of the dial while maintaining functional integration through magnetic coupling and electronic communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A sensor acts as an intermediary between the mechanically independent rotary dial and the encoder circuit on the circuit board. The sensor detects the rotational position of the dial and communicates it electronically to the circuit board, eliminating the need for direct mechanical connection while maintaining functional control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the rotary dial is mounted independent of the circuit board, then aesthetic design options are enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic design optionsVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The direct mechanical connection between the rotary dial and circuit board is replaced with a magnetic coupling system. The actuator on the circuit board magnetically couples with the rotary dial, allowing rotational movement to be detected without physical attachment, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while enabling independent mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Electronic communication through a sensor serves as an intermediary between the independent rotary dial and the control circuitry. This electronic mediation replaces complex mechanical linkages, allowing the dial to be aesthetically designed and mounted independently while maintaining precise control and feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Shape

If the rotary dial is separated from the instrument panel by a distance, then aesthetic appeal is improved with a floating appearance, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appealVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotary dial is suspended using magnetic fields generated by the actuator mechanism on the circuit board. This magnetic suspension creates a floating appearance without requiring physical support structures, eliminating the need for complex mechanical mounting while achieving the desired aesthetic effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

Physical mechanical support structures that would be needed to hold the rotary dial at a distance are replaced with magnetic coupling forces. The actuator on the circuit board generates magnetic fields that both suspend the dial aesthetically and transmit rotational information, eliminating the need for additional structural components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This solution provides improved user interfaces for controlling automobile equipment, enhancing aesthetics and user experience by allowing the rotary dial to appear as if it 'floats' over the instrument panel, with the void enabling back-lighting and styling choices, while maintaining functional communication with the encoder circuit.

Implementation Method 1

The dial communicates electronically with the encoder circuit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEncoder circuit detection:

Data Source

PatentUS9586480B2Automobiles, automobile instruments, and user interfaces for controlling automobile equipment

Publication Date: 2017.03.07 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

Automobiles, automobile instruments, and user interfaces for controlling automobile equipment are provided. A user interface for controlling automobile equipment includes a circuit board accommodating an encoder circuit. Further, the user interface includes a dial mounted independent of the circuit board. The dial is moveable in response to manipulation by a user of the automobile equipment. The dial communicates electronically with the encoder circuit.