Motor Vehicle Turntable Control via Absolute Angle Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current motor vehicle operating devices with turntables provide haptic and acoustic feedback only at discrete detent positions, making it difficult for users to detect incorrect or unwanted inputs until the system transitions to a new state, limiting intuitive operation.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses a turntable with coding elements and a detection device to detect absolute and intermediate angles of rotation, allowing for continuous and high-resolution control signals to be generated, enabling intuitive operation and immediate feedback through adaptive display changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a turntable with mechanical detent positions is used, then haptic and acoustic feedback is provided at discrete positions, but the user can only detect incorrect inputs after the system transitions to a new state

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinput detection accuracyVSAvoidfeedback delay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the turntable's angular position using the coding element and sensor before the user completes the rotation to a detent position. This allows the system to anticipate the user's intent and prepare the corresponding display update, eliminating the delay between input completion and visual feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements continuous feedback by constantly monitoring the absolute angular position of the turntable via the coding element and sensor. This continuous feedback loop provides real-time visual confirmation on the display, allowing users to detect and correct incorrect inputs immediately rather than after system state transition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If discrete detent positions are used for control, then the operation follows a defined sequence of system events, but the visual confirmation is delayed until after the turntable reaches the detent position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational intuitivenessVSAvoidvisual feedback timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the purely mechanical detent-based position detection with an optical or magnetic sensing system that reads the coding element on the turntable. This substitution enables continuous, high-resolution angular position detection independent of mechanical detents, providing seamless visual feedback that matches the user's rotational input in real-time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds a visual dimension to the tactile interaction by implementing a display that continuously reflects the turntable's angular position. This creates a multi-sensory feedback loop where visual information complements the haptic feedback, enhancing operational intuitiveness by providing immediate visual confirmation of the user's input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If a coding element with sensor is used to detect absolute angle, then continuous and high-resolution control signals can be generated, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveangle detection resolutionVSAvoiddetection system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The turntable serves multiple functions: it provides both the user interface for input and carries the coding element that enables precise position detection. The coding element is integrated directly onto the turntable structure, eliminating the need for separate encoding mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables simple and intuitive operation of motor vehicle functional devices by providing high-quality haptic feedback and immediate visual confirmation of user actions, allowing for precise control and smooth transitions between settings.

Implementation Method 1

detecting an absolute angle of rotation between the turntable and the holding element based on a coding of the at least one coding element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentEP2895349B1Method for controlling a functional device of a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2016.10.12 AUDI AG

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Figure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling a functional device of a motor vehicle by means of a control device, said control device comprising a rotary actuator (12) which is rotationally mounted on a retaining element (14) and which comprises at least one coding element (16, 18). Said method consists of detecting an absolute rotational angle between the rotary actuator (12) and the retaining element (14) based on a coding of the at least one coding element (16, 18), defining a plurality of latch positions (22) for the rotary actuator (12) in the rotational direction thereof, detecting the respective latch position (22) and the absolute rotational angle between two of the latch positions (22), based on the coding of the at least one coding element (16, 18) and controlling the functional device in accordance with the detected absolute rotational angle if the rotary actuator (12) is between two of the latch positions (22).