Heated Utility Vehicle Joystick With Integrated Touch And Temperature Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joysticks for utility vehicles face challenges in maintaining user hand warmth in cold conditions, leading to operational difficulties and health issues, while current temperature control systems are complex, prone to errors, and costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A joystick design featuring a handle area with a substance-to-substance connection to a support element, incorporating at least three conductor elements - one for heating, one for temperature sensing, and one for touch detection, made of electrically conductive materials, optimized for uniform heat distribution and reliable user contact detection, with a simplified production process using screen printing and adhesive bonding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If multiple separate heating elements, temperature sensors and control elements are integrated on the joystick, then the temperature control function is achieved, but the device complexity and susceptibility to errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines heating element, temperature sensor, and control elements into a single integrated temperature control unit that is bonded to the joystick support element. This merging of multiple functional components into one unit reduces device complexity and minimizes susceptibility to errors while maintaining effective temperature control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature control unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a heating element, a temperature sensor, and a control element all in one component. This multi-functionality approach eliminates the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving comprehensive temperature management.
2Temperature
If multiple separate heating elements, temperature sensors and control elements are integrated on the joystick, then the temperature control function is achieved, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple components into a single temperature control unit, the patent reduces the number of assembly steps and manufacturing operations required. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining the full temperature control functionality through the integrated design.
3Temperature
If a complex structure with heating elements, sensor elements and control elements is used, then the temperature control function is achieved, but the susceptibility to errors during production and use increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of heating elements, temperature sensors, and control elements into a single unit reduces the number of connection points and interfaces, thereby minimizing potential failure points. This merged structure enhances reliability by reducing error susceptibility during both production and operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature control unit is designed with inherent compensation mechanisms that anticipate and counteract potential errors before they occur. The integrated design includes built-in error compensation features that protect against failures during production and use, thereby improving overall system reliability.
4Ease of manufacture
If conductor elements are made of identical material, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but the optimization of different functions (heating, sensing, touch) may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different geometric patterns, arrangements, and configurations to conductor elements made of identical material to optimize their specific functions. The heating element, temperature sensor, and touch-sensing element each have locally optimized designs that tailor their performance characteristics while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through material consistency.
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 provides a cost-effective, easy-to-manufacture joystick that effectively maintains user hand warmth, reduces operational errors, and enhances user comfort by ensuring precise control and safety in cold conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one conductor element is designed as a heating element
Implementation Method 2
The temperature sensor element is preferably designed as a PTC thermistor, in which the change in electrical resistance can be measured as a function of the temperature
Implementation Method 3
The touch-sensing element is flatly applied to the support element, thereby ensuring a detection even given different hand positions
Data Source
AI summary
A joystick for operating utility vehicles is provided. The joystick has a handle area, and the handle area has a substance-to-substance connection to a support element. At least three conductor elements are arranged on the support element. At least one conductor element is designed as a heating element, one conductor element is designed as a temperature sensor element, and one conductor element is designed as a touch-sensing element.