Integrated Push-Rotate Knob Structure for Space-Limited Vehicle Controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle user interfaces, such as knobs for air conditioning and audio control, face challenges in ease of use and design flexibility due to spatial constraints and limited mechanical tolerance, leading to increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional knob design featuring a button unit with a gripping surface, a hollow guide body, a fixing housing, a push member, and a printed circuit board, allowing for both linear and rotational movements, which enhances usability and design freedom without increasing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional mechanical input means are used in vehicle centers fascia, then the manipulation feel and operational reliability are maintained, but the design flexibility is limited and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical input means with a touch-sensitive panel that detects touch position and depth electronically. This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical components while maintaining operational reliability, thereby improving design flexibility without significantly increasing manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes variations in touch depth and position as parameters to differentiate between push and rotary operations. By detecting these parameter changes electronically, the system achieves multi-functionality with a single input interface, enhancing design flexibility while avoiding additional mechanical components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple input means are arranged to provide various functions, then the functional versatility is improved, but the spatial requirements increase and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single touch-sensitive panel that can perform multiple functions including push operations, rotary operations, and various directional inputs. This multi-functional design consolidates what would traditionally require multiple separate input devices, thereby reducing spatial requirements while maintaining functional versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges push and rotary operations into a single integrated input interface. By combining these functions in one location with electronic detection of touch depth and position, the system reduces the space needed for multiple separate controls while providing comprehensive functional versatility.
3Manufacturing precision
If mechanical tolerance margin is reduced to improve design precision, then the design accuracy is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical measurement and positioning systems with electronic touch detection. This substitution allows for high design precision in determining touch position and depth without requiring tight mechanical tolerances, as electronic sensors can detect subtle variations with high precision while maintaining relaxed manufacturing tolerances for the physical components.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-functional knob comprising: a button unit exposed to the outside and having a gripping circumferential surface; a guide body unit of a hollow type, configured such that the button unit surrounds at least a portion thereof and is fixedly coupled to an outer surface thereof; a fixing housing of a hollow type, at least partially surrounding the button unit and the guide body unit; a push member assembled to the fixing housing and configured to move in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis in response to movement of the guide body unit; and a printed circuit board connected to the fixing housing.