Interactive Engine Projector for Gesture-Controlled Diagnostics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems fail to provide an interactive and real-time graphical display of vehicle engine information, making it difficult for enthusiasts and owners to gain insights into engine components, features, performance, or status, especially in high-performance and hybrid or electric vehicles where mechanical parts are less visible and less exciting.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses a projector to display information on the vehicle's surface, accepting user gesture input to manipulate the content, allowing users to interact with the engine without direct contact, and providing real-time diagnostic and educational information through an interactive graphical interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If conventional hood-mounted gauges are used to display engine information, then the driver can monitor engine parameters, but the display is not interactive and cannot provide detailed diagnostic information to enthusiasts or technicians

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine information accessibilityVSAvoiduser interaction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a projector as an intermediary device that projects interactive graphical information onto the engine bay surfaces. This mediator bridges the gap between the engine components and the user, allowing enthusiasts and technicians to interact with the engine information without direct contact, thus resolving the contradiction between information accessibility and interaction capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical gauges and physical displays with a projection-based optical system. By substituting the mechanical display system with a projector that can display interactive graphical interfaces on engine surfaces, the system enables detailed diagnostic information access while maintaining safety from hot surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If users directly contact the engine to interact with components, then they can physically examine the engine, but they risk burns from high engine bay temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveengine interaction capabilityVSAvoidthermal hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The projector acts as a safe intermediary that allows users to interact with engine information visually without physical contact. Users can point at projected elements to access detailed information about engine components, maintaining interaction capability while eliminating thermal hazard exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a visual copy or representation of the engine bay with overlaid graphical information projected onto the actual engine surfaces. This allows users to interact with the visual representation rather than the physical hot components, enabling safe examination and interaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Loss of information

If detailed engine information is displayed on traditional displays, then comprehensive data is available, but the display is not integrated with the physical engine components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic information availabilityVSAvoiddisplay integration flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional two-dimensional flat displays to a three-dimensional spatial display by projecting information directly onto the engine bay surfaces. This allows diagnostic information to be displayed in context with the physical components, improving both information availability and spatial integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The projection system serves multiple functions: it displays diagnostic information, provides interactive guidance, and adapts to different engine bay configurations. The system can project onto various surfaces within the engine bay, making it universally applicable to different vehicle types and configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-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

Enables users to safely and interactively access detailed engine information, including diagnostics and tutorials, enhancing the showcase experience and providing critical insights without risking burns from high engine bay temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

a projector configured to display the information on a surface of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight projection: Light

Implementation Method 2

a sensor configured to receive gesture input from the user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGesture detection:

Data Source

PatentUS8989960B2Interactive engine

Publication Date: 2015.03.24 VOLKSWAGEN AG

AI summary

A system includes a unit configured to read information of a vehicle system, a projector configured to display the information on a surface of a vehicle, and a sensor configured to receive gesture input from a user. The information displayed on the surface of the vehicle is manipulatable based on the gesture input.