GUI Virtual Handwheel for Motor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Physical handwheels in motorized machines, such as long-arm sewing machines, are often difficult to access and manually rotate due to their distant location and the natural resistance of motorized components, posing challenges for users, especially older individuals.
Innovation Solution
A graphical user interface (GUI) virtual handwheel is introduced, which is a depiction of a physical handwheel on an electronic display device that sends electronic signals to the motor controller to simulate the rotation of the physical handwheel, allowing users to control motorized components remotely and overcoming access and resistance issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the physical handwheel is mechanically coupled to motorized components, then slow and controlled movement is achieved, but users experience difficulty manually rotating the handwheel due to natural resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical handwheel rotation system with an electronic control system. Instead of physically rotating a handwheel that must overcome mechanical resistance from coupled components, users interact with a virtual handwheel interface on the display. The electronic system translates user inputs (touchscreen gestures, buttons, or other interfaces) into motor control signals, eliminating the need to physically overcome mechanical resistance while maintaining precise control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electronic intermediary layer between the user and the motorized components. Rather than direct mechanical coupling requiring physical rotation force, the virtual handwheel interface acts as an intermediary that converts various user inputs into controlled motor commands, reducing the physical effort required while achieving the same controlled movement effect.
2Ease of operation
If a virtual handwheel interface is implemented on an electronic display, then accessibility and ease of rotation are improved, but the system requires additional electronic components and software
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing electronic display device already present in modern motorized machines for its primary display function. By adding virtual handwheel controls to this existing multi-functional device, the system utilizes already-present hardware and software infrastructure, minimizing additional complexity while providing enhanced control accessibility through the display interface.
Data Source
AI summary
Graphical user interface virtual control for a controller of a motor. In one example embodiment, one or more programs that are configured, when executed, to cause one or more processors to generate and visually present a graphical user interface (GUI) virtual handwheel for a controller of a motor. In this example embodiment, the GUI virtual handwheel includes a depiction of a physical handwheel that is oriented with a perspective orientation. The depiction of the physical handwheel is configured, upon receipt of a first input from a user along the length of the depiction in a first direction, to send a first electronic signal to the controller of the motor to cause the motor to cause a first effect that corresponds to physically rotating the physical handwheel in a first rotational direction that corresponds to the first direction.