Vehicle Glazing Control Mechanism with Wireless Encoder
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of buttons in motor vehicles' passenger compartments leads to driver distraction, as it becomes difficult to intuitively identify which button controls which on-board system, potentially resulting in dangerous driving behaviors due to prolonged inattention.
Innovation Solution
A motor-vehicle control mechanism featuring a gripping element that rotates on a guide, mounted to the vehicle's glazing or internal rear-view mirror, with an encoder providing positional signals, and an energy-harvesting means to power a transmitter for wireless communication, allowing intuitive control of on-board elements without visible wiring, and optionally controlling electrochromic glass opacity or accessing networks through the glazing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If control mechanisms are arranged in the passenger compartment with multiple buttons, then on-board systems can be controlled, but driver attention becomes spread thinly and driver distraction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism is moved from the traditional dashboard plane to the windshield plane, utilizing the vertical and depth dimensions of the vehicle interior. This allows the control to be positioned in the driver's peripheral vision field without occupying dashboard space, enabling intuitive control while maintaining driver focus on the road.
2Ease of operation
If control mechanism is placed on glazing or mirror, then intuitive control is achieved, but visible wiring connections are created
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical wired connections with wireless communication technology. The control mechanism communicates with the vehicle's control systems via wireless signals (such as radio frequency or infrared), eliminating the need for visible cables and connectors across the windshield, thus maintaining the clean aesthetic while enabling flexible positioning.
3Device complexity
If wireless transmission is used for control signals, then no visible wiring is needed, but energy is required to power the transmitter
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism incorporates an energy harvesting module that captures kinetic energy from the user's manipulation of the control (such as rotating or pressing motions) and converts it into electrical energy. This harvested energy directly powers the wireless transmitter, creating a self-sustaining system that eliminates the need for external power cables while maintaining wireless functionality.
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
The solution reduces driver distraction by providing an intuitive control mechanism that can be placed anywhere on the vehicle's glazing or mirror, enabling safe and efficient operation of on-board systems while harvesting kinetic energy for self-powering, thus minimizing visible connections and enhancing user interaction.
Implementation Method 1
The energy-harvesting means may comprise an electromechanical transducer, such as a piezoelectric element.
Implementation Method 2
an encoder configured to deliver a signal that is dependent on the position or on the variation in position of the gripping element
Implementation Method 3
a transmitter connected to the encoder for transmitting, via a wireless link, a signal relating to the position of the gripping element to a receiver of a control unit of the motor vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a motor vehicle (1) control member (3) comprising: —a gripping element (6) that can be operated by a user in order to implement a control, such as the control of an element installed onboard said vehicle (1), the gripping element (6) being mounted so as to be able to rotate on a guide (12) of the control member (3), and —an encoder (9) configured to deliver a signal that depends on the position or the variation in position of the gripping element (6), characterised in that the guide (12) is configured to be attached to a window (4) of the motor vehicle (1), such as a front windscreen (8), rear windscreen, side window or sunroof, or to a rear-view mirror inside said vehicle (1). The invention further relates to an associated control method.