Steering Wheel Remote Control With Rotating Touch Faceplate
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-vehicle entertainment systems often require users to take their eyes off the road to control portable media devices, leading to distractions and potential accidents.
Innovation Solution
A wireless remote control device mountable on a steering wheel, featuring a touch-sensitive faceplate and clamping feet that can accommodate different steering wheel sizes, allowing users to control portable media devices without direct interaction, using Bluetooth communication for functionality replication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user controls the portable media device using the controls on the portable media player itself or in-vehicle entertainment system controls, then the control functionality is achieved, but the user has to take eyes off the road causing distraction and potential accidents
Solution Approach 1:
A wireless remote control device acts as an intermediary between the driver and the portable media device. The remote control includes a base section with electronic circuitry and a faceplate with controls that replicate the PMD interface, allowing the driver to control media playback without touching the PMD directly or taking eyes off the road.
Solution Approach 2:
The faceplate of the remote control device replicates or mimics the control layout and functionality of the portable media device. The electronic circuitry detects inputs from the faceplate controls and transmits corresponding signals to the PMD, creating a copy of the control interface that can be operated from a distance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the clamping feet are designed to accommodate different steering wheel thicknesses, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to movable hinges and arcuate motion mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping feet are designed with movable hinges that allow them to change position dynamically. The hinges enable the clamping feet to move laterally and in arcuate motion, adapting to different steering wheel thicknesses and shapes. This dynamic adjustment capability provides versatility without requiring multiple fixed-size clamping mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless remote control device for a portable media device can include a touch-sensitive faceplate and a base section coupled to the faceplate such that the faceplate is rotatable relative to the base section. The base section can house electronic circuitry including a wireless transmitter that transmits signals to portable media device in response to a user touching the faceplate. Clamping feet can be attached to the base section, e.g., using hinges so that the wireless remote control device can be mountable on a vehicle steering wheel. The hinges can be movable in a lateral direction to vary the pitch between the clamping feet to accommodate various thicknesses of steering wheels. The clamping feet can be movable in an arcuate motion in order to clamp to or unclamp from the steering wheel.