Steering Wheel Input Preview to Prevent Driver Mis-Presses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle input devices with closely spaced operation sections increase the likelihood of erroneous inputs due to the need to shift gaze during operation.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle input device with operation detection and preliminary action detection sections that notify occupants of the onboard unit information through a display section, allowing input without significant gaze diversion, and enabling tactile switches with varying functions based on displayed icons or text.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple operation sections are disposed close together on the steering wheel, then the ease of operation is improved as the driver can access all controls without moving their hand, but the reliability deteriorates due to increased likelihood of erroneous input
Solution Approach 1:
The notification section provides visual feedback by displaying information about the onboard unit corresponding to the touched operation section on the display section. This allows the driver to confirm which function will be activated before actually pressing the switch, preventing erroneous input while maintaining close spacing of operation sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The display section acts as an intermediary between the operation sections and the driver's decision-making process. It provides an additional layer of confirmation by showing which onboard unit corresponds to each operation section, mediating the interaction and reducing mistakes.
2Reliability
If the driver shifts their gaze to confirm the operation section being operated, then the reliability improves by reducing erroneous input, but the safety deteriorates due to distraction from the road
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides visual feedback on the display section that is visible to the driver without requiring them to shift their gaze from the road. The notification displays information about the selected onboard unit in the driver's peripheral vision or field of view, maintaining safety while ensuring accurate operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the confirmation information from the physical space of the operation sections to the visual space of the display section. This dimensional transition allows drivers to access confirmation information without changing their head position or gaze direction significantly, maintaining both reliability and safety.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operation sections are provided for different onboard units, then the adaptability improves by covering more functions, but the device complexity increases making it harder to distinguish between functions
Solution Approach 1:
The display section serves multiple functions: it displays navigation information, vehicle status, and acts as a notification interface for the operation sections. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated displays for each function, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The notification section provides contextual feedback that helps drivers understand which onboard unit corresponds to which operation section. This information feedback reduces the cognitive load required to distinguish between multiple functions, effectively managing device complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle input device comprises an operation detection section configured to detect input to an onboard unit allocated to one operation section of plural of operation sections provided in a vicinity of a driving seat due to the one operation section being operated, a preliminary action detection section configured to detect a preliminary action directly prior to the one operation section being operated, and a notification section configured to notify an occupant of information relating to the onboard unit allocated to the one operation section in a case in which the preliminary action has been detected by the preliminary action detection section.