Vehicle Input System Dynamic Control Signal Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle input systems struggle to operate newly added or substituted equipment without requiring changes to the input unit or control section, as they are not adaptable to different functions or control signals.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle input system comprising an input unit and a control section that adjusts control signals in response to changes in equipment, allowing operation of new or replaced equipment without modifying the input unit or control section, through a storage medium reading function or wire/radio communication for updating control and operation instructions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed control signal is used for equipment operation, then the input unit can operate original equipment reliably, but it cannot operate newly added or substituted equipment with different functions or control signals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation reliability of original equipmentVSAvoidcompatibility with new or substituted equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control signal is transformed from a fixed, static configuration to a dynamic, adaptable one. The control section now automatically adjusts control signals based on real-time detection of equipment status, enabling the system to adapt to different equipment configurations while maintaining reliable operation. This is achieved through continuous monitoring and automatic signal modification rather than relying on predetermined fixed signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-configuration and self-adaptation without requiring manual reprogramming or external intervention. When equipment is added or substituted, the control section automatically detects the change and adjusts control signals accordingly. This self-service capability allows the system to maintain reliability with original equipment while simultaneously gaining compatibility with new equipment types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the input unit is designed for specific equipment functions, then it can provide precise control for those functions, but it cannot operate equipment with different functions without modification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precision for specific functionsVSAvoidfunctionality across different equipment types
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The input unit is enhanced with universal adaptability while maintaining its specialized control capabilities. The control section acts as an intelligent intermediary that translates various equipment-specific requirements into appropriate control signals. This allows the input unit to precisely control specific functions when needed while simultaneously being capable of operating different equipment types through automatic adaptation of control strategies.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The control section serves as an intermediary between the fixed input unit and variable equipment. It receives operator inputs and automatically generates or modifies the appropriate control signals for different equipment types. This mediator role preserves the simplicity and precision of the original input unit while enabling compatibility with diverse equipment through intelligent signal transformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If equipment composition is fixed in the system, then the control signals can be predetermined and simple, but the system cannot accommodate equipment exchange, removal, or addition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of control signal configurationVSAvoidflexibility in equipment configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of equipment status and pre-adjusts control signals before operation begins. Rather than requiring complex predetermined configurations for all possible equipment scenarios, the control section proactively identifies the current equipment composition and prepares appropriate control signals in advance. This maintains simplicity while enabling flexibility through automatic preliminary adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback mechanisms to monitor equipment presence and status. Based on this feedback, the control section automatically adjusts control signals to match the current equipment configuration. This feedback-driven approach replaces complex predetermined configurations with simple real-time adaptation, maintaining control signal simplicity while achieving equipment configuration flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS7483771B2Vehicle input system
Publication Date: 2009.01.27 PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYST CO LTD
  • US7483771B2 patent drawing
  • US7483771B2 patent drawing
  • US7483771B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A vehicle input system is provided which includes: an input unit which accepts an operation instruction for a plurality of pieces of equipment on board an automobile; a control section which, in accordance with an operation instruction accepted by the input unit, transmits a control signal for controlling equipment targeted by the operation instruction; and an information acquisition section which, if at least one of the plurality of pieces of equipment is exchanged and if new equipment is added, then acquires, as control-signal information, information on a control signal for controlling the substituted or added equipment, in which the control section generates the control signal in accordance with the control-signal information acquired by the information acquisition section.