Vehicle Operating Panel Mounting for Consistent Long-Panel Kinematics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long operating panels in vehicle central input devices face challenges in maintaining consistent kinematics and design due to deformation issues, requiring complex sensor systems and increased design and installation efforts.
Innovation Solution
An operating unit with a movable operating panel that includes a support member with elastically twistable struts and a mounting device for resettable movement, allowing for consistent actuation detection and reduced mechanical and electronic complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the operating panel is made relatively long to enable more operating functions, then the number of operating functions increases, but the mechanical and design effort increases and kinematics consistency becomes difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The operating panel is divided into multiple operating fields arranged along its longitudinal extension, allowing different functions to be distributed across segments. This segmentation enables the panel to provide multiple operating functions while maintaining manageable complexity through modular functional distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting device with elastically twistable struts provides a universal support mechanism that handles the kinematics of the entire operating panel regardless of where it is actuated. This multi-functional mounting structure maintains consistent kinematics across all operating fields without requiring separate mechanisms for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the operating panel is made relatively long to enable more operating functions, then the number of operating functions increases, but the sensor system complexity increases to detect valid actuation
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device serves as a universal detection mechanism that senses the actuation state of the operating panel regardless of which operating field is activated. The elastically twistable struts provide a unified sensing approach that simplifies the sensor system by eliminating the need for multiple separate sensors across the long panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting device acts as an intermediary between the operating panel and the sensor system. It translates various actuation locations into a unified mechanical state (twist of struts) that can be detected by a simplified sensor arrangement, reducing the complexity of direct panel sensing.
3Reliability
If distributed force or distance sensors are provided across the operating panel to compensate for deformation, then the detection reliability improves, but the electronic hardware and software effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing function is extracted from the operating panel itself and transferred to the mounting device. The elastically twistable struts in the mounting device inherently detect the actuation state through their mechanical deformation, eliminating the need for multiple electronic sensors distributed across the panel and reducing electronic complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting device uses its own elastic deformation to detect the actuation state. The twistable struts self-monitor their own deformation to determine when the operating panel has been validly actuated, providing reliable detection without requiring external electronic sensing systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the operating panel is made relatively long to enable more operating functions, then the number of operating functions increases, but the design and installation effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device provides a universal, standardized support structure that can accommodate a long operating panel with multiple functions without requiring custom design for each specific configuration. This multi-functional mounting solution simplifies both design and installation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastically twistable struts allow for parameter adjustments in the mounting system to accommodate variations in panel length and actuation forces. This flexibility reduces design effort by allowing the same basic mounting structure to be adapted to different configurations through parameter modification rather than complete redesign.
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 enables a simple and efficient mounting of the operating panel, maintaining consistent kinematics and reducing design and installation efforts, while ensuring reliable detection of valid actuations.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one or each rear mounting member comprises an elastically twistable strut having a longitudinal axis
Implementation Method 2
at least one front mounting member which interacts with the end of the support member facing the operating panel and/or with the operating panel and is of elastic design
Data Source
AI summary
The operating unit for a vehicle comprises a housing (12) having an operating panel (18) on its front side (14). The operating panel (18) is supported in the housing by a support member (24), which is elastically mounted at its rear end and in the front area in or on the housing (12), respectively. A rear mounting member (30) having an elastically twistable strut (38) is used for this purpose at the rear end of the support member (24). Said strut (38) is substantially parallel to an imaginary connecting line (44) between the lateral ends (22) of the operating panel (18).