Vehicle Control Device Using Binary Sensor Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle control devices require significant user effort and precision to navigate through menus, with undesirable variations in movement due to the combination of necessary and voluntary efforts, and lack efficient real translation perception.
Innovation Solution
A control device with three or four binary active sensors and passive markers, linked to an indexing and return mechanism, allowing for precise identification of positions through binary signatures, enabling real translations and rotations with minimal effort and stabilizing the control member in a neutral position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional control members with multiple sensors and microswitches are used, then control functions can be achieved, but user effort increases and precision decreases due to the combination of necessary and voluntary efforts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical sensor switching system with an optical detection system using binary sensors and passive markers. The control member's position is detected optically through binary signatures generated by marker-sensor interactions, eliminating the need for multiple mechanical microswitches and reducing the complexity of mechanical effort transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from mechanical switch states to optical binary patterns. By using passive markers with specific binary patterns that generate unique signatures when detected by sensors, the system achieves precise position identification without requiring the user to overcome multiple mechanical switching thresholds.
2Stability of the object's composition
If control members are designed to be stable in neutral position, then stability is improved, but movement requires light effort which conflicts with the stability mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical stability mechanisms (such as springs and detents) with an optical detection system. The binary sensors continuously monitor the position of passive markers, providing stable position detection without requiring mechanical force to maintain or change position. This allows the control member to be genuinely neutral while remaining easily movable.
3Device complexity
If small rotations are used to achieve forward, backward, right or left movements, then device complexity is reduced, but real translation perception is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses passive markers that are copied or replicated around the control member's perimeter. These markers create binary signatures that are detected by sensors, allowing the system to perceive actual translational movements of the control member while maintaining a relatively simple rotational detection mechanism. The binary pattern copying enables translation perception through rotational detection.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a control device (10) for choosing and selecting functions in a vehicle. The device (10) includes three active binary sensors, which are arranged on an electronic board attached to the housing (18); the sensors switch when passive markers pass by, said markers being arranged on a carrier movable by means of a control unit (16) that can be handled. The carrier is movable translatably along a first main longitudinal axis (L), toward a front position (P1) and a rear position (P2), perpendicularly along a second main transverse axis (T), toward a right-hand position (P3) and a left-hand position (P4), and rotatably about a normal axis (N) that is perpendicular to the main axes (T, L), in a clockwise direction (R-) and in a counter-clockwise direction (R+). The marker carrier and the control unit (16) are also connected to an indexing and return means that continuously urges them toward a neutral position. The sensors and markers are arranged relative to one another such that each of the five positions: neutral, front, rear, right-hand, left-hand, as well as each of the clockwise and counter-clockwise rotations, is individually identified by a binary signature transmitted by the sensors.