Vehicle Heated Surface Control Through Dual Input Paths

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle systems for controlling heated surfaces, such as handgrips, rely solely on touchscreens, which can malfunction or be inaccessible, disrupting user control and comfort.

Innovation Solution

Implementing multiple input devices communicatively coupled to an electronic control unit via different connections, allowing users to control heated surfaces even if one input device is unavailable or malfunctioning, with automatic fault detection and redundant control mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a touchscreen is used as the sole input device for controlling heated surfaces, then the user interface is informative and easy to use, but the system reliability deteriorates when the touchscreen malfunctions or becomes inaccessible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser interface ease of useVSAvoidcontrol availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Different input devices are assigned to different control functions and locations. The touchscreen provides comprehensive control when available, while physical buttons on the handlebar provide localized, reliable control for essential functions when the touchscreen is inaccessible. Each input device has optimized characteristics for its specific use case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system proactively provides redundant input paths before failures occur. Multiple independent connections and input devices are installed in advance so that if the touchscreen fails, the system can immediately switch to alternative input methods without interruption to the heated surface control function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If multiple input devices with different connections are implemented, then the system reliability improves through redundancy, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol availabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple input devices and their processing logic are merged into a unified control system. The electronic control unit receives inputs from both the touchscreen and physical buttons through different connections, processes them according to a unified control strategy, and manages the heated surfaces through a single integrated interface, reducing overall system complexity despite the added redundancy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic control unit is designed to handle multiple input types and connection methods through a universal interface. The same control unit processes commands from both the touchscreen and physical buttons, and can control multiple heated surfaces, making the system more versatile while avoiding the need for separate dedicated controllers for each input device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If redundant input paths are provided through multiple connections, then the fault tolerance improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault toleranceVSAvoidinstallation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The redundant connection system is segmented into modular components. Each input device connects through its own independent connection path to the electronic control unit, allowing each connection to be installed, tested, and replaced independently. This modular segmentation simplifies the manufacturing and installation process compared to a single complex interconnected system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Ensures continuous user control over heated surfaces, enhances user comfort, and simplifies installation and operation by providing redundant input paths and automatic fault handling.

Implementation Method 1

a heating element positioned proximate to a user contact surface of the vehicle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentUS20240359764A1Heated surface control via multiple input devices

Publication Date: 2024.10.31 HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTOR CO INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for heating a surface of a vehicle. One system includes heated surface system for a vehicle. The heated surface system includes a heating element positioned proximate to a user contact surface of the vehicle, a first input device for receiving user input for controlling the heating element and is communicatively coupled to an electronic control unit over a first connection, and a second input device for receiving user input for controlling the heating element and is communicatively coupled to the electronic control unit over a second connection different from the first connection, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to control the heating element based on user input received via the first input device or the second input device.