Rotation Determination Device Intermediate Position Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rotation determination methods for vehicle air conditioner dials fail to accurately determine rotational operations when the dial is rotated from an intermediate position, as they require detection of both edges of two-phase pulse signals, leading to incorrect determination.

Innovation Solution

A rotation determination device comprising an encoder generating out-of-phase pulse signals, a detector for edge changes, an acquisitor for signal level acquisition, an edge pattern determiner, a setter for reference signal levels, and a rotation determiner that sets and updates reference signal levels based on specific edge patterns to determine rotational operations, even from intermediate positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If both edges of two-phase pulse signals are detected to determine rotational operation, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates when starting from intermediate positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotational operation detection accuracyVSAvoiddetermination reliability from intermediate position

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by setting the reference signal level to the initial signal level before rotation detection begins. This preliminary setup allows the system to correctly identify rotational operations even when starting from intermediate positions, as the reference level is established in advance to match the starting state. The edge pattern determiner compares subsequent edge patterns against this pre-set reference, enabling reliable detection regardless of the starting position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically updating the reference signal level based on the detected edge patterns. When a specific edge pattern is detected, the reference signal level is updated to the current signal level, allowing the system to adapt to different starting positions. This parameter change mechanism enables the system to maintain measurement precision while improving reliability across various operating conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If edge detection is performed without reference signal level setting, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection system complexityVSAvoidrotational operation detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-setting the reference signal level to the initial signal level before rotation detection begins. This preliminary setup allows the system to correctly identify rotational operations even when starting from intermediate positions, as the reference level is established in advance to match the starting state. The edge pattern determiner compares subsequent edge patterns against this pre-set reference, enabling reliable detection regardless of the starting position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism by using the reference signal level as a mediator between the raw pulse signals and the rotational operation determination. The reference signal level acts as a reference point that enables accurate comparison and interpretation of edge patterns, bridging the gap between simple edge detection and precise rotational measurement without requiring complex additional hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If reference signal level is updated based on edge patterns, then adaptability to intermediate positions is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to intermediate start positionsVSAvoidsignal level update mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the system to automatically update its own reference signal level based on the detected edge patterns without external intervention. The edge pattern determiner and rotation determiner work together to autonomously adjust the reference level, allowing the system to adapt to intermediate starting positions and maintain accurate rotational detection throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20240068847A1Rotation determination device

Publication Date: 2024.02.29 U SHIN LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides a rotation determination device capable of determining a rotational operation of a rotating body even if started from an intermediate position, comprising: an encoder section that generates two pulse signals out of phase with each other by the rotating body's rotation; an acquisitor that acquires the levels of two pulse signals; a detector that detects signal changes in two pulse signals; an edge pattern determiner that determines an edge pattern from one pulse signal with detected signal change and an input signal level of the other pulse signal, when the detector detects the signal change; a setter that sets a reference signal level with the input signal level as an initial value. When a specific edge pattern that changes according to the reference signal level matches the edge pattern determined by the edge pattern determiner, a rotation determiner determines the rotational operation of the rotating body.