Steering Wheel Remote Control with Modular User-Settable Buttons

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Solution Overview

Problem

Steering wheels with integrated remote controls often have button configurations predetermined by manufacturers, which may not align with a driver's preferences or usage patterns, leading to suboptimal usability.

Innovation Solution

A user-settable remote control system for the steering wheel, featuring interchangeable and customizable units with display portions, guide protrusions, and variable contact pins, allowing drivers to configure the buttons according to their preferences, with each unit being easily inserted and extracted from housings and connected to a printed circuit substrate for specific functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the button configuration is predetermined by the manufacturer, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the adaptability to user preferences and usage patterns deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to user preferencesVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The remote control switch is divided into multiple independent button units, each capable of being independently configured or replaced. This segmentation allows users to customize the function and position of individual buttons without affecting the entire system, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The steering wheel remote control is designed with universal button units that can perform multiple functions. Each button can be programmed or configured to execute different commands based on user preferences, allowing a single physical component to serve multiple purposes and enhancing versatility without requiring additional hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the button configuration is predetermined by the manufacturer, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the ease of operation according to user preferences deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operation according to user preferencesVSAvoidease of manufacture

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The remote control system incorporates dynamic configurability where button functions and arrangements can be changed based on user needs. This dynamic aspect allows the interface to adapt to different operating conditions and user preferences, improving ease of operation while the underlying standardized hardware architecture maintains ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows changes in operational parameters such as button assignment, function mapping, and control characteristics without altering the physical structure. This parameter-level customization enables users to optimize operation according to their preferences while the manufacturer can produce standardized hardware components efficiently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS7432462B2Steering wheel of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2008.10.07 KIA CORPORATION

AI summary

A steering wheel provided with a remote control switch. The remote control switch includes a user-settable unit and a variable circuit unit for changing a function of the remote control switch according to the configuration of the user-settable unit; for example, the function of the remote control switch may be changed by attaching a removable button with the desired function.