CONTROL USER INTERFACE FOR A POWERSPORTS VEHICLE

• US 20160098096A1
• Filed: 09/08/2015
• Published: 04/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Warn Industries Incorporated (LKQ Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Warn Industries Incorporated (LKQ Corporation)
• Inventors: Averill, Bryan, Fretz, Darren, Wendler, Ian, Talmadge, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US14/847,890
• Publication Number:
  US 20160098096A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/28 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/084 at least one flow duct intersecting the membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/55 Remote control arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/573 Mobile devices controlling vehicle functions
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/782 on the steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/658 the instruments being ergonomically adjustable to the user
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/80 Arrangements for controlling instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 13/18 Control systems or devices exclusively for rope, cable, or chain winding mechanisms B66D1/40
• CPC Class Codes: B66D 1/46 electric

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting operation of multiple accessories of a vehicle using a single control user interface in communication with a single modular accessory controller of the vehicle. In one example, a system may include a modular accessory controller for a vehicle electrically coupled to a battery and two or more accessories of the vehicle and a control interface in communication with the modular accessory controller and including a plurality of buttons for providing user input for operating each of the two or more accessories of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a modular accessory controller for a vehicle electrically coupled to a battery and two or more accessories of the vehicle; and

a control interface in communication with the modular accessory controller and including a plurality of buttons for providing user input for operating each of the two or more accessories of the vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control interface includes a removable button pad and a mount, the removable button pad removable from the mount and the mount in communication with the modular accessory controller, wherein the removable button pad includes the plurality of buttons.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the removable button pad includes a first mating interface including a first electrical connection and a first mechanical connection and wherein the mount includes a second mating interface including a second electrical connection and a second mechanical connection, the first mating interface mating with the second mating interface to both electrically and mechanically coupled the removable button pad and mount to one another.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the mount is positioned at one or more of a dashboard of the vehicle, a handle bar of the vehicle, a shifter of the vehicle, a roll bar of the vehicle, or a wrist of a user.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the user interface is interchangeable between multiple mounts positioned at different locations around the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the modular accessory controller includes a plurality of accessory inputs for electrically coupling the modular accessory controller to the two or more accessories.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of buttons includes one or more of a winch power-in button for powering in a rope of winch, a winch power-out button for powering out a rope of a winch, a winch freespool clutch button for adjusting a position of a winch clutch, or an activity mode selection button.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the control interface includes one or more of a display or lights providing feedback to a user.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the control interface provides tactile feedback to a user after selecting one of the plurality of buttons.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the modular accessory controller is a winch controller of a winch coupled to the vehicle.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the modular accessory controller is in communication with a vehicle controller and a winch controller of a winch coupled to the vehicle.

12. A method, comprising:

at a modular accessory controller of a powersports vehicle;

receiving a plurality of user inputs via a single control interface for adjusting operation of each of a winch and one or more accessories coupled to the powersports vehicle, the single control interface in communication with the modular accessory controller and removably coupled to the vehicle; and

sending a signal to each of the winch and the one or more accessories to adjust winch and accessory operation based on the received plurality of user inputs.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising sending feedback to the single control interface as to a status of the winch and the one or more accessories after sending the signal to each of the winch and the one or more accessories.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising presenting to a user a plurality of menu options via a display screen of the single control interface, the plurality of menu options selectable via one or more buttons of the single control interface.

15. A control interface for a vehicle, comprising:

a button pad removably coupled to an interface mount coupled to one or more of the vehicle or a user of the vehicle, the button pad including a plurality of buttons selectable by the user from a riding position in the vehicle to adjust operation of a winch and one or more accessories coupled to the vehicle;

a microcontroller adapted to generate a user interface at a display screen of the control interface, the user interface providing feedback to the user based on a selection of one or more of the plurality of buttons; and

a radio module in wireless communication with a control module controlling operation of the winch and the one or more accessories.

16. The control interface of claim 15, wherein the control module is a winch control module.

17. The control interface of claim 15, wherein the control module is a modular accessory control module in communication with a winch control module, a vehicle control module, and the one or more accessories.

18. The control interface of claim 15, wherein the display screen is integral with the interface mount.

19. The control interface of claim 15, wherein the display screen is mechanically coupled to the interface mount.

20. The control interface of claim 15, wherein the display screen is mounted to a vehicle remote from the interface mount and electrically coupled with the interface mount.