Active Vehicle Panel for Adaptive Opacity and Adhesive Concealment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle panels lack dynamic control over visibility, failing to adapt to environmental conditions or occupant preferences, and obscure adhesives used for bonding can be distracting for occupants.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle panel with an active layer comprising independently controllable elements that can switch between transparent and opaque configurations based on signals from sensors, allowing for adaptive opacity and shape changes to control visibility and convey information, while obscuring adhesive views.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a mask layer is added to obscure adhesive, then aesthetics are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mask layer function with the active layer into a single integrated component. The active layer serves dual purposes: it provides the desired aesthetic appearance by matching interior colors and it obscures the adhesive layer, eliminating the need for a separate mask layer and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The active layer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both an aesthetic element (matching interior colors) and an obscuring element (hiding the adhesive). This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making one component serve multiple purposes rather than adding separate components.
2Illumination intensity
If the panel is made transparent to view external environment, then visibility is improved, but glare and distraction from adhesive increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically controllable active layer that can switch between transparent and opaque states. This allows the system to adapt to different conditions: transparent when visibility is needed and opaque when glare or adhesive obscuration is required, resolving the contradiction between visibility and harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The active layer is designed to change its optical properties, specifically its transparency/opacity state, in response to control signals. This color/optical property change capability allows the panel to maintain visibility when needed while blocking glare and adhesive views when necessary.
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
Enhances occupant comfort by dynamically adjusting visibility based on environmental conditions and preferences, reducing glare and improving aesthetics by matching interior colors, while maintaining a clear view of the external environment.
Implementation Method 1
An active layer is positioned between the mask layer and the inner layer and adjacent to an outer edge of the panel. The active layer extends from the outer edge of the panel toward a central portion of the panel and includes a first independently controllable active element configured to limit viewing of the mask layer when viewed from a cabin of the vehicle.
Data Source
AI summary
A panel includes an outer layer and an inner layer. A mask layer is positioned between the outer layer and the inner layer. An active layer is positioned between the mask layer and the inner layer and adjacent to an outer edge of the panel. The active layer extends from the outer edge of the panel toward a central portion of the panel and includes an independently controllable active element configured to limit viewing of the mask layer.