Vehicle Center Console Layout for Hidden Wireless Phone Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing center console structures for vehicles require manual placement and removal of mobile terminals, leading to inconvenience and potential inattentive driving due to the terminal being in the occupant's line of sight during charging.
Innovation Solution
A center console structure with an armrest positioned above the terminal accommodation section, creating spaced areas for easy placement and removal without obstructing the view, and a power supply section overlapping the armrest and terminal area to prevent inattentive driving.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the terminal accommodation section is provided in a front portion of the center console or instrument panel to facilitate placement and taking out of the mobile terminal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the mobile terminal may be caught in the occupant's eyesight causing inattentive driving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the terminal accommodation section in the vertical dimension (upper side of the console box) rather than only in the horizontal front portion. The armrest is configured to open upward, creating a vertical access path that separates the terminal placement area from the occupant's horizontal line of sight, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and preventing inattentive driving
Solution Approach 2:
The armrest serves as an intermediary element that both provides access to the terminal accommodation section and blocks the occupant's view of the terminal. When opened, it allows easy placement and removal of the terminal; when closed, it hides the terminal from the occupant's eyesight, preventing inattentive driving while maintaining operational convenience
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the armrest is configured as a lid for the console box to hide the mobile terminal, then the harmful factor of inattentive driving is reduced, but the ease of placement and taking out of the mobile terminal is worsened requiring opening and closing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is designed to rotate open upward (vertical dimension) rather than sideways (horizontal dimension). This vertical opening motion creates sufficient clearance for terminal insertion and removal without requiring the armrest to be fully opened, improving ease of operation while maintaining the hiding function when closed
3Volume of stationary object
If the lower surface of the armrest and upper end of the console side surface section are positioned close together to maximize space utilization, then the volume of the console box is improved, but the ease of placement and taking out of the mobile terminal is worsened due to insufficient clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is designed with rotational movement capability, allowing it to dynamically change position between closed (hiding terminal) and open (allowing access) states. This dynamic configuration enables the system to provide sufficient clearance for terminal placement only when needed, while maintaining compact volume when closed, resolving the contradiction between space utilization and operational ease
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
Facilitates convenient placement and removal of mobile terminals while preventing inattentive driving by hiding the terminal from the occupant's view and maintaining console functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a power supply section that wirelessly transmits electric power to the mobile terminal
Data Source
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AI summary
The center console structure for a vehicle includes: a console body 10; an armrest 20; and a power supply section 18 that wirelessly transmits electric power to the mobile terminal 2 via a placement surface 13a on which the mobile terminal 2 is placed. The console body 10 includes: a top plate section 12 serving as an upper surface; a terminal accommodation section 13 having the placement surface 13a and arranged on a vehicle rear side of the top plate section 12 and on a vehicle lower side of the armrest 20; and a right and left pair of console side surface sections 11 arranged to oppose each other in a vehicle width direction with the terminal accommodation section 13 being interposed therebetween. A lower surface of an armrest front section 22 is formed at a position separated to a vehicle upper side from an upper end of the console side surface section 11 and an upper end of the terminal accommodation section 13 by a longer vertical distance H than a thickness D of the mobile terminal 2.