Gesture Ignition Interface With Color Feedback for EV Power State

Solution Overview

Problem

Totally electric vehicles face challenges in efficiently managing power consumption and informing drivers of their ignition state, as they often remain active when the driver is inside, leading to unnecessary energy usage and confusion due to the absence of a clear indication of the vehicle's operational status.

Innovation Solution

A gesture device integrated into the vehicle, utilizing a video camera and optical sensor to detect specific hand gestures for activating and deactivating the powertrain system, eliminating the need for a brake pedal and providing a color-changing luminous element to indicate the powertrain's status, allowing drivers to easily switch the vehicle on and off without moving it.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the vehicle remains active when the driver is inside, then the driver can quickly access the vehicle, but unnecessary energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle accessibilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical key cycle system with an optical gesture recognition system. A video camera captures hand gestures, and an optical sensor detects specific movements (such as circular motions) to activate or deactivate the powertrain system, eliminating the need for physical key insertion or ignition button pressing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a luminous element that changes color to indicate the vehicle's ignition state. The luminous element emits light in a first color when the powertrain system is active and in a second color when inactive, providing clear visual feedback to the driver about the vehicle's status without requiring additional displays or indicators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Ease of operation

If a manual ignition button is provided, then the driver can control power supply, but the driver may not understand the vehicle's ignition state due to silence

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveignition controlVSAvoidignition state indication

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a luminous element that changes color to indicate the vehicle's ignition state. The luminous element emits light in a first color when the powertrain system is active and in a second color when inactive, providing clear visual feedback to the driver about the vehicle's status without requiring additional displays or indicators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Productivity

If the vehicle switches on automatically when the key is detected, then the vehicle is ready to depart, but it cannot be switched off when the driver is inside

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle readinessVSAvoidvehicle shutdown

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical key cycle system with an optical gesture recognition system. A video camera captures hand gestures, and an optical sensor detects specific movements (such as circular motions) to activate or deactivate the powertrain system, eliminating the need for physical key insertion or ignition button pressing.

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 enhances the autonomy of electric vehicles by enabling efficient power management, providing a clear and simple way for drivers to understand the vehicle's ignition state, and preventing unnecessary energy consumption while ensuring safety by preventing sudden shutdowns.

Implementation Method 1

a video camera and optical sensor to detect specific hand gestures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a video camera and optical sensor to detect specific hand gestures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Photoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

a color-changing luminous element to indicate the powertrain's status

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS20240149897A1Gesture device for turning on a road vehicle and relative road vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.05.09 FERRARI SPA

AI summary

Road vehicle comprising an ignition system for the powertrain system comprising in turn a luminous device integral with the passenger compartment of the road vehicle and comprising an optical sensor configured to detect at least a first gesture and a second gesture performed by the driver to switch from an off configuration to an on configuration of the road vehicle and vice versa; the luminous device comprising a display device configured to at least partially assume a first colour and a second colour; wherein the display device is configured to switch from the first colour to the second colour when the movable part switches from the off configuration to the on configuration and vice versa when the movable part switches from the on configuration to the off configuration. Principal figure: 3.