Touchscreen Control for Vehicle Direction and Speed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling a motor vehicle, especially in combination with a trailer, require complex and interruptive operations to set direction, speed, and steering angle, lacking simplicity and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A method and device utilizing a touch-sensitive input device to generate control signals for steering and drive systems, allowing continuous adjustment of direction, speed, and steering angle through positional input on the device, eliminating the need for separate actuations and providing intuitive operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate operating processes are used to set direction of travel and speed on touchscreen, then control precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple control functions (direction of travel and speed setting) into a single continuous gesture operation on the touchscreen. By merging these functions into one unified input mechanism, the system maintains control precision while significantly improving ease of operation, eliminating the need for separate pressing actions for each parameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system transitions from static discrete button presses to dynamic continuous gesture input. The touchscreen interprets the continuous movement and position of the input object, allowing both direction and speed to be controlled through a single dynamic gesture, thereby improving operational simplicity without sacrificing control accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple separate controls are used for direction and speed, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The touchscreen control system is designed to perform multiple functions (direction control and speed regulation) through a single universal interface. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate control elements needed, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining operational reliability through integrated control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If continuous gesture control is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidcontrol precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor the gesture input and provide real-time control adjustments. This feedback loop ensures that the continuous gesture input is accurately translated into precise control commands, maintaining measurement precision while benefiting from the ease of continuous gesture operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3246228B1Method and device for controlling the drive of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.08.07 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3246228B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3246228B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and a method for controlling the driving of a motor vehicle (2), wherein the motor vehicle (2) has a steering system and a drive system, wherein the steering system and the drive system can be controlled by at least one control unit (6), wherein a position of a contacted partial area (11) of an input area (8) of a touch-sensitive input device (7) can be determined, wherein a control signal can be generated depending on the position of the contacted partial area (11), wherein the at least one control unit (6) sets a driving direction of the motor vehicle (2) and/or a driving speed of the motor vehicle (2) and/or at least a steering angle (αL) of the motor vehicle (2) depending on the control signal, wherein at least one driving direction information and one speed information is generated depending on the position of the contacted partial area (11).