Vehicle Lever Switch with Integrated Video Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers face difficulty in quickly identifying the function positions of lever switches and operation knobs in vehicles, leading to potential confusion and distraction while driving, especially with the addition of safety information displayed on the instrument panel or windshield.
Innovation Solution
A lever switch design featuring a main body with a video display that shows the assigned function through changing displayed objects, such as light spots or symbols, allowing drivers to intuitively understand the functions without diverting attention from the road.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If pattern information or character information is displayed to indicate functions according to rotation angle of the operation knob, then drivers can grasp the functions being demonstrated, but drivers may be confused due to the large amount of information already displayed on the instrument panel or windshield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the function indication display from the main instrument panel and relocates it to the operation knob itself. The operation knob displays pattern information or character information directly on its own surface, separating the function indication task from the general vehicle information display system. This reduces the overall information complexity on the instrument panel while ensuring drivers can grasp function information at the source of control.
2Loss of information
If pattern information or character information is displayed on the operation knob, then function information becomes available, but drivers' attention is required to interpret the displayed information which may interfere with driving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the operation knob itself as an intermediary carrier for function information display. Instead of requiring drivers to look at a separate display panel, the function information is presented directly on the knob that the driver is already manipulating. This integrates the information display into the existing interaction flow, reducing the need for additional attention shifts while maintaining ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of lever switches are used to provide different functions, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the operation knob universal by enabling it to display different pattern information or character information for multiple different functions. Instead of requiring separate specialized switches for different functions, a single operation knob can be configured to indicate various functions (such as wiper control, turn signals, etc.) through its display, reducing the number of switch types needed while maintaining functional versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the display content on the operation knob changeable and adaptable. The operation knob can dynamically display different function information based on its position, rotation angle, or configured mode, allowing a single static physical component to serve multiple functional roles. This dynamic display capability enables one switch type to replace multiple specialized switches.
Data Source
AI summary
A lever switch for a vehicle that enables a driver to understand a function being performed without causing driving distraction. A lever switch for a vehicle mounted on a steering column has a video display formed along a horizontal direction of the vehicle, in which the video display displays a function assigned to an operation of the lever switch for a vehicle, for example, lighting of a turn signal by moving a light spot on the video display from left to right or right to left.