Multifunctional Joystick Carrier for Heating and Touch Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing joysticks for commercial vehicles are complex and prone to errors, with high manufacturing costs and susceptibility to harsh environments, making them inefficient for maintaining operator hand warmth in cold conditions.

Innovation Solution

A joystick design featuring a cohesive connection to a carrier element with three conductor elements: one for heating, one for temperature sensing, and one for touch detection, optimized for shape and material to ensure efficient heat distribution and reliable operation, using a simplified manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate heating elements, temperature sensors, and control elements are integrated into the joystick, then the joystick can provide temperature control functionality, but the device complexity and susceptibility to failure increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control functionalityVSAvoidcomplexity of heating elements, sensor elements, and control elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines heating elements, temperature sensors, and control elements into a single integrated temperature control device. This merging of previously separate components into one unified device reduces overall system complexity while maintaining all necessary functions for joystick temperature control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated temperature control device performs multiple functions simultaneously - heating, temperature sensing, and control operations - within a single component structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate heating elements, temperature sensors, and control elements are integrated into the joystick, then the joystick can provide temperature control functionality, but the manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines heating elements, temperature sensors, and control elements into a single integrated temperature control device. This merging of previously separate components into one unified device reduces overall system complexity while maintaining all necessary functions for joystick temperature control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated temperature control device performs multiple functions simultaneously - heating, temperature sensing, and control operations - within a single component structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If heating elements are integrated into the joystick grip area, then the operator's hand can be kept warm in cold conditions, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecold exposure to operator's handVSAvoidcomplexity of temperature control devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines heating elements, temperature sensors, and control elements into a single integrated temperature control device. This merging of previously separate components into one unified device reduces overall system complexity while maintaining all necessary functions for joystick temperature control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a carrier element as an intermediary substrate to mount the conductor elements (heating elements and sensors). This carrier element simplifies the integration process by providing a unified platform that holds all temperature control components in the correct positions, thereby reducing the complexity of assembling and coordinating multiple separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of manufacture

If a simplified design with fewer components is used, then manufacturing costs decrease, but the functional density and reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing cost-effectivenessVSAvoidsusceptibility to failure in harsh environments
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines heating elements, temperature sensors, and control elements into a single integrated temperature control device. This merging of previously separate components into one unified device reduces overall system complexity while maintaining all necessary functions for joystick temperature control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated temperature control device performs multiple functions simultaneously - heating, temperature sensing, and control operations - within a single component structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing device complexity

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

The solution provides a cost-effective, easy-to-produce joystick with high functional density, ensuring operator hand warmth and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reliability and accuracy in harsh conditions.

Implementation Method 1

at least one conductor element being designed as a heating element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

one as a temperature sensor element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature sensing: Thermistor

Data Source

PatentEP4141610A1Joystick with multifunctional carrier element
Publication Date: 2023.03.01 ELOBAU GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4141610A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4141610A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4141610A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Joystick for operating commercial vehicles, comprising a grip area, wherein the grip area has a material-locking and/or form-locking connection to a carrier element, wherein at least three material-identical conductor elements are arranged on the carrier element, wherein at least one conductor element is designed as a heating element, one as a temperature sensor element and one as a touch-detecting element.