Vehicle Push-Button Interface With State Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Keyless ignition systems in vehicles lack feedback, making it difficult for new users to understand the interaction with the start/stop button, especially in electric vehicles or those with automatic engine shutdown systems, where the absence of noise and vibration complicates determining the engine's operational state.
Innovation Solution
A user interface with a push-button featuring a user-actuable push-element, controllable drive, and illumination that automatically adjusts based on the vehicle's operational state, providing visual and positional feedback through motion and color changes to indicate the vehicle's status and intended actions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a keyless ignition system with start/stop button is used, then the vehicle operation is simplified and modernized, but user feedback and understanding of system state are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The push-button incorporates illumination that changes color and position to provide visual feedback about the vehicle's operational state. The control unit receives signals about the current state and controls the illumination accordingly, creating a feedback loop that informs the user of the system status without adding mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination element changes color to indicate different operational states of the vehicle. For example, green may indicate ready-to-start state, red may indicate running state, and yellow may indicate transition states. This visual color-coding system provides intuitive information about the current system state.
2Loss of energy
If automatic engine shutdown on red lights is implemented, then fuel efficiency is improved, but driver awareness of engine state is reduced due to lack of noise and vibration
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system provides continuous visual feedback about the engine's operational state. When the engine is automatically shut off at red lights, the illumination changes to indicate the off state, and when the engine is running, the illumination indicates the running state, keeping the driver informed without noise or vibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares the driver for upcoming state changes by providing advance visual indication. For example, before the engine automatically shuts off, the illumination may show a transition state, giving the driver time to prepare for the change in vehicle state.
3Device complexity
If conventional start/stop button without feedback is used, then device complexity is minimized, but user understanding of interaction is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination element changes color to provide intuitive visual cues about the vehicle's operational state. Different colors represent different states (e.g., green for ready, red for running, yellow for transition), making the system easy to understand without adding mechanical complexity to the button itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The push-element is movable and its position changes to indicate different states. This adds a spatial dimension to the feedback mechanism - the button doesn't just light up, but also moves to different positions, providing tactile and visual feedback that enhances user understanding without significantly increasing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a user interface of a vehicle, a user interface for a vehicle, and a vehicle are described.