Programmable Vehicle Instrument Control Panel Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing on-board vehicle instrument management systems for industrial and commercial vehicles are inefficient due to the need for multiple control panels for various vehicle models and equipment configurations, and drivers face difficulties in accessing essential functions like windshield defrosting and hazard warning lights through complex menu navigation.
Innovation Solution
A programmable control unit with a touch display and associated buttons that show ideograms for immediate function control, allowing for customizable layout and association of buttons with vehicle functions, enabling easy access without menu navigation, and accommodating different driver preferences through programmable memory areas and transponder associations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional buttons and complex menu navigation are used for controlling vehicle functions, then the control device can be simple in structure, but the ease of operation deteriorates as drivers cannot access essential functions immediately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension to button arrangement by allowing programmable positioning of buttons in different areas of the control panel. This enables essential functions to be placed in easily accessible locations while less critical functions can be positioned elsewhere, resolving the contradiction between immediate access and comprehensive functionality without increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control device incorporates programmable functionality where button associations and layouts can be dynamically reconfigured based on driver preferences and specific vehicle models. This dynamic adaptability allows the same physical device to optimize its layout for different operational contexts, improving ease of operation without requiring multiple static control panels
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control panels are created for different vehicle models and equipment configurations, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal control panel design with programmable buttons that can be configured to represent different vehicle functions through software. A single physical control device can adapt to multiple vehicle models and equipment configurations by programming buttons to display and control relevant functions, eliminating the need to manufacture separate control panels for each vehicle variant
Solution Approach 2:
The control device utilizes programmable parameters including button labels, associated functions, and layout configurations that can be modified through software. This allows the same hardware platform to adapt to different vehicle models by changing programming parameters rather than physical structure, achieving high adaptability without increasing device complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed button layout is used for all vehicles, then the manufacturing simplicity improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates for different drivers and vehicle configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The control device incorporates programmable functionality where button associations and layouts can be dynamically reconfigured based on driver preferences and specific vehicle models. This dynamic adaptability allows the same physical device to optimize its layout for different operational contexts, improving ease of operation without requiring multiple static control panels
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention refers to an on-board vehicle instrument control system for industrial or commercial vehicles, or automobiles, which comprises: a programmable control unit; a touch display (100) suitable for showing, at least in an area (103), at least an ideogram (2,3) representing a function of an on-board instrument; at least a button (1,3) that can be associated to said function of said on-board instrument, and characterized in that said control unit is programmable in order to control the disposition of said ideogram in said area (103) of the display (100) and said association with said button (1,3).