Magnetic Levitating Vehicle Control Interface for 3D Input
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional control devices for vehicles are time-consuming and limited in degrees of freedom, requiring frequent hand movement and not providing intuitive control options for complex functions.
Innovation Solution
A control device featuring a levitating object within a controlled magnetic field, allowing for multi-directional deflection and rotation, with a sensor system to detect user inputs and provide haptic feedback, enabling a wide range of intuitive and efficient control options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional control panel with buttons, touch-sensitive surfaces, or a joystick is used, then the control device is relatively simple in structure, but it requires frequent hand movement and is time-consuming to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical control elements (buttons, joysticks, touch surfaces) with a levitating object controlled by magnetic fields. The object can be moved in three-dimensional space without mechanical contact, enabling more intuitive and efficient control gestures while reducing the time required to operate vehicle functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces three-dimensional movement capability by allowing the control object to levitate and move in all spatial directions. This adds vertical and rotational dimensions to the control interface, providing more degrees of freedom for gesture-based control compared to traditional two-dimensional panels or one-dimensional joysticks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a stationary but movable object like a joystick or trackball is used, then the control device structure is simpler, but it provides limited degrees of freedom for control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables three-dimensional movement of the control object by replacing mechanical constraints with magnetic field control. The object can move freely in all spatial directions and rotate around all axes, providing six degrees of freedom (three translational and three rotational) compared to the limited movement of conventional joysticks or trackballs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a dynamically controllable magnetic field to manipulate the levitating object. The magnetic field strength and direction can be adjusted in real-time to guide the object's movement, maintain its position, or apply haptic feedback, enabling versatile and adaptive control gestures.
3Ease of operation
If a levitating object in a controlled magnetic field is used, then additional degrees of freedom and improved manageability are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The levitating object contains a magnetizable element that interacts with the external magnetic field. This internal magnetic component enables the object to be controlled without complex external actuators or mechanical linkages, simplifying the overall system architecture despite the sophisticated magnetic field control required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a sensor system that detects the position and orientation of the levitating object in real-time. This feedback is used to adjust the magnetic field control, maintain stable levitation, and interpret user gestures accurately, enabling intuitive and responsive operation despite the increased system complexity.
4Reliability
If magnets are arranged on the operating element to interact with electromagnets in the housing, then haptic feedback can be provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical haptic feedback mechanisms (such as springs or dampers) with magnetic forces. The interaction between the magnetizable element in the levitating object and the electromagnets in the housing provides tactile feedback through magnetic attraction and repulsion, enabling intuitive force feedback without mechanical contact.
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 control device offers enhanced manageability and additional degrees of freedom, allowing for easy and efficient operation of various vehicle functions, including steering and drive control, while providing sensory feedback and maintaining stability during vehicle maneuvers.
Implementation Method 1
The object is now in the form of an object levitating over a controlled magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
Magnets are arranged on the operating element, which interact with electromagnets arranged in the housing. Energizing the electromagnet causes the magnets of the operating element to be attracted, as a result of which a force is applied to the operating element mounted in the housing
Implementation Method 3
a sensor system is provided for detecting the active actuation in the form of a deflection of the object from its neutral position by the person
Implementation Method 4
The control device uses the technique of so-called levitation in order to let an object, according to an advantageous development of the control device according to the invention, a sphere, with a magnetizable element... enable a variety of controls
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a control device (10) for controlling vehicle functions using a largely stationary movable object (1) which can be actively actuated by a person for control purposes. The control device according to the invention is characterized in that the object (1) is designed as an object (1) which floats in a regulated magnetic field, wherein a sensor unit (4, 5) is provided for detecting the active actuation in the form of a deflection of the object (1) out of its neutral position by the person.