Steering Wheel Input Device with Dual-Switch Icon Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering wheel input devices limit intuitive operation by confining controls to a single front-facing interface, making it difficult to perform various vehicle system operations and complicating the understanding of allocated functions.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a dual-switch system, where a first steering switch on the front face and a second switch on the rear face of the steering wheel allow icons corresponding to the rear switch to be displayed on the front switch, enabling intuitive operation of multiple vehicle systems by visually correlating switch positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single front-facing steering switch is used, then the device structure is simple, but the number of operable functions is limited and intuitiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The steering wheel input device is segmented into a first steering switch on the front face and a second steering switch on the rear face. Each switch handles specific functions, with the front switch displaying icons for both itself and the rear switch. This segmentation allows more functions to be distributed across two switches rather than crowding a single switch, improving versatility while keeping each switch's interface manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a spatial dimension by placing a second steering switch on the rear face of the steering wheel in addition to the front-facing first steering switch. This utilizes the three-dimensional space of the steering wheel more fully, allowing additional functions to be accessed from the rear without interfering with the front interface, thereby increasing overall adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple icons are displayed on a single steering switch, then more functions are accessible, but the likelihood of mistaken button presses increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the functions across two separate steering switches (front and rear), each switch displays fewer icons than would be required on a single switch. The front steering switch displays icons corresponding to both the first and second steering switches, but the physical separation and contextual display reduce confusion and mistaken presses.
3Ease of operation
If controls are confined to the front face of the steering wheel, then the interface is simple, but intuitive operation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extends the control interface from the two-dimensional front face to include the rear face of the steering wheel. The second steering switch on the rear face provides additional intuitive controls for specific functions, and its icons are displayed on the front switch, creating a unified intuitive interface across both faces.
4Ease of operation
If a dual-switch system is implemented, then more operations can be performed intuitively, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the display function of both steering switches into the front steering switch. The first steering switch displays icons corresponding to both the first steering switch and the second steering switch, consolidating the display interface while maintaining separate physical switches for tactile differentiation and intuitive operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A steering wheel input device (100) includes a first steering switch (22) disposed on a front face of a steering wheel (21) and a second steering switch disposed on a rear face of the steering wheel (21). When the second steering switch is operated, an icon corresponding to the second steering switch is displayed on the first steering switch (22). The steering wheel input device (100) allows various operations to be implemented. Furthermore, an operator can intuitively operate the steering wheel input device (100).