Wireless Winch Remote Menu Interface for Button Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing winch control systems for vehicles are cumbersome due to the need for multiple dedicated buttons on remotes, leading to complexity and reduced versatility in controlling winch and auxiliary operations.
Innovation Solution
A wireless remote with a user interface featuring a menu display navigable by a series of buttons, allowing selection of icons for winch and auxiliary operations using a single selection button, enabling efficient control of winch and auxiliary systems with fewer buttons while maintaining a high number of remote control operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dedicated buttons are provided on the remote for each control operation, then the remote can control various winch and auxiliary operations, but the number of buttons increases making control more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control uses a single selection button that can perform multiple control functions by navigating through different menu items and control displays. This multi-functional approach allows one button to replace what would traditionally require multiple dedicated buttons, thereby reducing remote complexity while maintaining versatility in controlling winch and auxiliary operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a menu-driven interface with multiple control displays that add a dimensional layer to the control system. Instead of expanding horizontally with more buttons, the system expands vertically through menu navigation, allowing access to numerous control functions through a structured hierarchy of displays and selectable icons.
2Ease of operation
If multiple dedicated buttons are provided on the remote for each control operation, then specific winch and auxiliary operations can be controlled, but the versatility is limited by the number of remote buttons
Solution Approach 1:
The single selection button serves as a universal control element that can execute various control operations depending on the current menu context. By making the button multi-functional rather than dedicating separate buttons to each function, the system achieves both operational precision (through clear selection confirmation) and enhanced versatility (through access to numerous control functions via menu navigation).
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adapts the function of the selection button based on the current menu display and highlighted icon. The button's role changes from simple selection to context-dependent command execution, allowing the same physical button to provide precise control for different operations without requiring multiple static button configurations.
3Ease of operation
If activation switches are mounted within the vehicle interior, then the vehicle operator can operate accessories from within the vehicle, but a great deal of wiring is required to connect switches to accessories and battery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical switch system with a wireless remote control system. Instead of physical activation switches mounted in the vehicle interior that require extensive wiring to connect to accessories and the battery, a wireless remote transmits control signals electronically, eliminating the need for complex wiring harnesses while maintaining operator control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless remote control acts as an intermediary device between the operator and the winch/auxiliary systems. Rather than direct electrical connection through wired switches, the remote transmits control commands wirelessly to a control module, which then actuates the desired functions, thereby reducing wiring complexity while preserving ease of operation.
4Reliability
If manual adjustment at the winch is required, then the operator can adjust winch operation directly, but the time and effort required in winch operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment at the winch with wireless electronic control. The operator uses a wireless remote to send control signals to the winch's control module, which automatically adjusts winch operations. This eliminates the need for the operator to physically be at the winch and manually adjust controls, thereby reducing both time and effort while maintaining operational accuracy through precise electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The winch system incorporates an automatic control capability where the control module receives wireless commands and autonomously executes the desired adjustments. The system serves itself by automatically responding to remote control signals, eliminating the need for manual intervention at the winch while ensuring accurate and timely operational adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for remotely controlling winch operation via a user interface of a remote. In one example, a user interface of a remote for a winch includes a menu display including a plurality of menu items, the menu items navigable and selectable with a series of buttons of the remote. The user interface further includes a plurality of control displays, each of the plurality of control displays generated upon selection of a corresponding menu item of the plurality of menu items, each of the plurality of control displays including selectable icons for controlling one of an operation of a winch, an operation of one or more auxiliary devices, or settings of the remote.