Universal Screen Module With Integrated Control Means

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing man/machine interfaces for motor vehicles, featuring multifunction screens, face limitations in design flexibility due to rectangular screen contours and high manufacturing costs, especially when producing low volumes of vehicle-specific models.

Innovation Solution

The method involves providing each screen module with its own control means, including a connector and microcontroller, allowing the same screen module to be used across different interfaces with varying designs and integrations, reducing the need for adaptation and lowering production costs by integrating control panels and indicators within a single housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the same screen module is used across different human-machine interfaces, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the control means must be adapted for each interface which increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidcontrol means adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into independent modules: a universal screen module with its own integrated control means (microcontroller and connector), and separate interface-specific control panels. This segmentation allows the screen module to be reused across different interfaces without adaptation, while each interface maintains its own customized control panel for specific functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The screen module is designed as a universal component that can be used across multiple different human-machine interfaces. By integrating the control means (microcontroller and connector) directly into the screen module, it becomes a self-contained unit that does not require adaptation when used with different control panels or interfaces,从而实现多功能性。

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

2Ease of manufacture

If rectangular screen contours are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but design flexibility of dashboard is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen manufacturingVSAvoiddashboard design flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The solution moves from modifying the screen's physical shape to modifying the opening contour in the housing. The screen module itself remains rectangular for easy manufacturing, but the housing opening can be shaped in various ways (curved, angular, organic shapes) to achieve diverse dashboard designs without complicating screen production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If control means are integrated into the screen module, then adaptation cost is reduced, but screen module complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptation costVSAvoidscreen module complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control means (microcontroller and connector) are merged with the screen module to form an integrated unit. This combination eliminates the need for separate adaptation of control means when using the screen module with different interfaces, reducing adaptation costs despite the increased internal complexity of the screen module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2456635B1Method for manufacturing a human-machine interface for a motor vehicle, and human-machine interface produced by said method
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 VALEO SYST THERMIQUES SAS
  • EP2456635B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2456635B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2456635B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing human-machine interfaces (40) including a having an opening (48) for enabling a user to observe information displayed on said screen (44), characterized in that, each screen module (42) being provided with a specific control means (52), various human-machine interfaces (40) are manufactured from the same screen modules (42) by arranging said screen modules (42) in housings (46) housing a control board provided with at least one control and/or at least one indicator for a function separate from the screen.