Cockpit Drying Box with UV Sterilization and HVAC Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Typical cockpit modules in vehicles provide limited convenience as they lack advanced features for drying and sterilizing items, such as shoes, especially in varying environments and situations.

Innovation Solution

A cockpit module with a drying box connected to the vehicle's air conditioner, incorporating a UV lamp and a movable holder with an elevating mechanism, allows for the drying and sterilization of items based on settings, utilizing UV-A and UV-C light for sterilization and adjustable air temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a typical cockpit module structure is used, then the vehicle structure remains simple and compact, but the convenience and functionality for drying and sterilizing items is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying and sterilization functionalityVSAvoidcockpit module structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drying box is nested within the crash pad's accommodation space. The storage part of the drying box is positioned inside the crash pad, utilizing the existing space efficiently. This nesting approach adds drying and sterilization functionality without significantly increasing the overall vehicle structure complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The crash pad's accommodation space serves multiple functions: it provides crash protection and simultaneously houses the drying box for drying and sterilizing items. The air conditioner system also serves dual purposes for vehicle climate control and providing heated/dried air to the drying box.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the drying box is made movable and extendable, then accessibility and ease of operation is improved, but the structural complexity and space management becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of drying boxVSAvoidmovable mechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drying box is designed with movable and extendable features. The cover can open and close the storage part, and the entire drying box can be moved between stored and accessible positions. This dynamic design improves ease of operation while the patent manages the complexity through straightforward mechanical linkages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The drying box and its components are pre-configured within the crash pad structure during manufacturing. The connecting ducts are pre-routed to connect the air conditioner to the drying box, and the holder and elevating member are pre-assembled. This preliminary preparation simplifies the overall installation and reduces operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If UV lamp and air conditioner integration is added, then drying and sterilization effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The UV lamp and air conditioner are integrated into a unified drying and sterilization system. The air conditioner provides cooled or heated air to the drying box, while the UV lamp simultaneously sterilizes the items. This merging of functions improves reliability and effectiveness while sharing common control and power systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the vehicle's existing air conditioner to provide air for the drying box, rather than requiring a separate heating or cooling system. The UV lamp is automatically activated when the drying box is in use, providing sterilization as a self-contained function within the overall system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 convenience by effectively drying and sterilizing items, such as shoes, through the integration of a UV lamp and HVAC system, providing customizable and efficient drying and sterilization treatments.

Implementation Method 1

an ultraviolet (UV) lamp configured to irradiate UV light toward the at least one item placed in the storage part so that the at least one item in the storage part is dried and sterilized

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUV irradiation: Light

Implementation Method 2

a connecting duct configured to connect the storage part and the air conditioner... cold and hot air is introduced into the storage part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20230128258A1Cockpit module of purpose-built vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.04.27 HYUNDAI MOBIS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are cockpit modules for vehicles. The cockpit modules include a crash pad having a predetermined accommodation space, and a drying box, connected to an air conditioner of the vehicle, configured with respect to the crash pad to be storable in the accommodation space of the crash pad. The drying box, when interlocked with the air conditioner, dries and sterilizes items stored therein according to settings associated with the drying box.