Rotatable Vehicle Display With Steering-Wheel Chronograph Controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle display systems in road vehicles, particularly in high-performance vehicles, are difficult for drivers to operate without distraction, especially when tracking lap or sector times, and suffer from visibility issues due to size and light reflections, posing safety risks, especially for inexperienced drivers.
Innovation Solution
A road vehicle with a central display device featuring mechanical controls integrated into the steering wheel and a rotatable screen that can be adjusted to an optimal viewing angle, allowing drivers to operate time measurement functions without taking their eyes off the road, and includes a time measurement system with both analogue and digital components for improved visibility and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a central screen with larger dimensions is used, then visibility of information is improved, but driver distraction increases when operating tactile controls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control interface into two distinct parts: a large central touchscreen display for information visualization and separate physical control elements (buttons, knobs, or touch controls) positioned within easy reach of the driver. This segmentation allows the driver to operate controls without moving their hands from the steering wheel while maintaining large display visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control interface that bridges the large central display and the driver's controls. This intermediary layer (such as a control panel, steering wheel buttons, or voice recognition system) allows the driver to interact with the display system without direct manual manipulation of the screen itself, reducing distraction while maintaining visibility.
2Device complexity
If the display screen is integral to the dashboard, then structural simplicity is improved, but visibility and reading quickness deteriorate due to perspective and light reflections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs adjustable or dynamically positionable display elements that can change their orientation, angle, or position relative to the driver. This dynamic adjustment allows the display to optimize its viewing angle for the driver's position, reducing glare from sunlight or dashboard reflections and improving readability without requiring a completely separate display structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality improvements to specific areas of the dashboard display system, such as adding anti-reflective coatings to the screen surface, positioning the display at optimal angles relative to sunlight direction, or creating localized lighting zones that reduce glare. These localized modifications improve visibility without fundamentally changing the integrated dashboard structure.
3Device complexity
If tactile controls are used exclusively, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates for drivers who need to track times without distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges tactile physical controls with digital display interfaces to create a hybrid control system. Physical buttons, knobs, or switches provide tactile feedback and straightforward operation for time tracking functions, while the digital display provides visual confirmation and additional information. This combination maintains operational simplicity while enabling distraction-free time monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs control elements that serve multiple functions: physical controls that can be operated with minimal hand movement serve both as tactile interfaces for time tracking and as part of the broader vehicle control system. This multi-functionality allows the same control mechanism to handle time tracking, display selection, and other vehicle functions, reducing overall system complexity while improving ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Road vehicle (1) comprising a passenger compartment (3) configured to accommodate a driver (DR) and at least one passenger (P) alongside the driver (DR); a vehicle dashboard (4); a steering wheel (30); a content display device (5) comprises: a support element (9) hinged in the area of a central portion (6) of the vehicle dashboard (4), at the front between a driver's seat (7) and a passenger's seat (8) (P); at least one screen (10) mechanically connected to the support element (9) and configured to be visible to a passenger (P) and/or to a driver (DR) while driving; a time measurement system (36), in particular a chronograph (37); the vehicle comprises mechanical controls (31) arranged, namely mounted, in the area of the steering (30) to give instructions to the time measurement system (36).