Vehicle Knob Control Device with Pivoting PCB
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing movable wheel control devices for vehicles require complex assemblies with many parts, making them costly and time-consuming to manufacture, which hampers competitiveness and precision in navigation and telematics function control.
Innovation Solution
A simplified control device with a wheel that can rotate about a main axis, featuring a printed circuit board with direction sensors and an elastic return mechanism, allowing for precise detection of activated positions and effortless return to a neutral position, reducing the number of assembled parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex mechanical assemblies with many interconnected parts are used to allow the steering wheel to rotate, move forward and backward, left and right, and withstand pressure, then the control device can achieve precise movement and pressure resistance, but the assembly time and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (rotation, forward-backward movement, left-right movement, and pressure resistance) into a single integrated printed circuit board structure. The PCB serves as both the structural support and the functional component, eliminating the need for separate mechanical assemblies. This merging of functions directly reduces the number of parts while maintaining the required movement precision and pressure resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The printed circuit board is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, enables rotational movement, allows forward-backward displacement, permits left-right movement, and withstands pressure. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing assembly complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If numerous interconnected mechanical parts are used to enable steering wheel movements, then the control device achieves functional versatility, but the assembly time and manufacturing cost become prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple movement functions (rotation, forward-backward, left-right) are merged into a single printed circuit board structure. The PCB's flexible design allows all these movements without requiring separate mechanical components for each direction, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining functional versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical assemblies with a printed circuit board-based system. The PCB uses electronic and flexible structural solutions instead of numerous mechanical parts, enabling the same functional versatility with significantly reduced assembly complexity and time.
3Strength
If traditional mechanical assemblies are used for control device movements, then structural strength is maintained, but manufacturing cost and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical structural components with a printed circuit board design. The PCB provides the necessary structural strength and pressure resistance through its rigid-flexible construction, eliminating the need for complex mechanical assemblies and thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining strength requirements.
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
The solution enhances manufacturing efficiency, reduces costs, and maintains precision in controlling vehicle functions by using fewer parts while ensuring accurate and intuitive user interaction.
Implementation Method 1
At least one direction sensor may include an elastic return element which pulls the wheel back to its neutral position from the associated activated position
Implementation Method 2
The printed circuit board can be mounted to pivot using a ball joint between the circuit board and the support
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A control device (10) intended for a user (62) to choose and select functions in a vehicle, comprises a knob (12) that can be turned (R) about a main axis (P) with respect to a fixed support (60). The knob (12) comprises a neutral position (PN) in which the main axis (P) coincides with a neutral axis (N) that is fixed with respect to the support (60). The control device (10) also comprises a printed circuit board (50) on which the knob (12) and at least one direction sensor (24A) are fixed. The printed circuit board (50) is mounted with the ability to pivot with respect to the support (60) about an axis (T) transverse overall to the neutral axis (N) so as to occupy at least a first activated position (PA) in which the main axis (P) is inclined with respect to the neutral axis (N) when the knob (12) is moved in a direction orthogonal to the neutral axis (N). The direction sensor (24A) is intended to detect the activated position (PA).