Instrument Panel Blinding Panel with Directional Perforations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional in-vehicle devices such as cameras, speakers, and radar detectors are exposed, leading to a compromised vehicle interior appearance and potential discomfort for drivers or passengers due to visibility concerns.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a blinding panel with perforations that covers the functional units, such as cameras and air blowers, integrated into the instrument panel, concealing them from view while allowing light to pass through for imaging and air direction adjustment, maintaining a sleek appearance and reducing visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If in-vehicle devices such as cameras and speakers are exposed on the instrument panel, then their functionality is accessible, but the appearance of the vehicle interior deteriorates and driver comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument panel is segmented into multiple regions: exposed areas for aesthetic components and recessed areas for functional units. The blinding panel is further segmented with selective perforations that allow light passage only from specific directions (driver's eye level blocked, windshield direction allowed). This segmentation enables simultaneous achievement of good appearance and functional accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The blinding panel with selective perforations acts as an intermediary element between the functional units and the driver's view. It mediates by blocking direct viewing angles while permitting light passage at specific angles, thus reconciling the contradiction between concealment and functionality.
2Shape
If cameras are concealed behind a solid panel, then appearance is improved, but light cannot pass through for imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The blinding panel incorporates porous structures in the form of selective perforations. These perforations are strategically positioned and angled to allow light passage only from specific directions (windshield area) while blocking light from the driver's direct line of sight. This porous design enables the panel to simultaneously provide aesthetic concealment and optical access for imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the blinding panel have different properties: some areas are solid for concealment, while specific regions have perforations with particular orientations for light passage. The perforations have local quality in terms of their inclination angles, allowing light transmission only from predetermined directions, thus enabling both aesthetics and imaging functionality.
3Shape
If functional units are housed in recesses, then appearance is improved and flexibility is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional units (camera, speaker, air blower) are merged into a single integrated housing within the recessed area. The blinding panel with selective perforations serves as a unified cover for all these units. This merging approach improves appearance and design flexibility while controlling device complexity through integration rather than proliferation of separate components.
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
This configuration enhances the vehicle's interior aesthetics, reduces passenger discomfort, and allows for effective operation of cameras and air blowers without being noticed, improving both appearance and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of perforations is formed in the blinding panel to extend through the blinding panel in a thickness direction of the blinding panel. The perforations may be inclined with respect to the thickness direction of the blinding panel to extend toward the driver seat. This prevents the in-vehicle device from being irradiated with sunlight entering through the windshield so that it is rendered less viewable from the driver or a passenger.
Data Source
AI summary
An in-vehicle device includes a functional unit to be arranged at an instrument panel of a vehicle and configured to perform an operation toward a driver seat of the vehicle, and a blinding panel covering a front surface of the functional unit. A plurality of perforations is formed in the blinding panel to extend through the blinding panel in a thickness direction of the blinding panel.