Sliding Knob Magnetic Holding Force Adjustment for In-Vehicle UI
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional in-vehicle user interface devices with knobs lack the ability to detect and respond to various inputs beyond simple rotation, limiting intuitive control of in-vehicle systems without requiring users to take their eyes off the road.
Innovation Solution
A user interface device with a sliding knob system that utilizes adjustable magnetic forces to hold the knob at specific positions, allowing for adjustable resistance through a magnet holder with multiple magnet pairs and a screw thread mechanism, enabling precise control and user-defined holding force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If magnetic force is increased to hold the knob firmly at specific positions, then holding stability is improved, but the force required to move the knob increases making operation harder
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet holder is designed to be rotatable about the first direction, allowing the magnetic force direction and magnitude to dynamically adjust based on the knob position. This enables the system to provide strong holding force at target positions while reducing resistance during movement transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the magnetic force parameters by rotating the magnet holder to different angular positions. Each rotation position adjusts the magnetic field strength and direction, allowing optimization between holding stability and ease of operation for different operational states.
2Measurement precision
If multiple magnets with different magnetic forces are used to provide precise holding positions, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet holder is divided into multiple magnet pairs arranged at different positions along the rail direction. Each magnet pair corresponds to a specific holding position, segmenting the control function into discrete positional zones that can be independently optimized.
Solution Approach 2:
Different magnet pairs are designed with different magnetic forces to create asymmetric magnetic field distribution. This asymmetry allows precise control at different positions along the rail, with stronger magnets for primary positions and weaker magnets for secondary positions, optimizing positioning precision without uniform complexity.
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
Enables intuitive and precise control of in-vehicle systems by allowing users to adjust the magnetic force, accommodating different user preferences and improving usability by minimizing the need for direct manipulation of the knob.
Implementation Method 1
the first magnet reacts by an magnetic force of the second or third magnets so that the knob is held to a first position or a second position respectively
Implementation Method 2
the first magnet may be provided on a male screw coupled to the female screw thread, and the strength of the magnetic force between the first magnet and the second or third magnets is adjusted according to a connection degree between the male screw and the female screw thread
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein a user interface device includes a rail extending in a first direction; a hinge configured to slide along the rail; a knob coupled to the hinge to slide and configured to detect a rotation input; and a magnet holder disposed to face the hinge in a second direction of the hinge and extending in the first direction; wherein the hinge is provided with a first magnet, the magnet holder is provided with a second magnet and a third magnet, the second and third magnets have different magnetic poles from that of the first magnet on facing surface thereagainst, the first magnet reacts by an magnetic force of the second or third magnets so that the knob is held to a first position or a second position repectively, a strength of the magnetic force between the first magnet and the second or third magnets is adjustable.