Vehicle Interior Structure Curtain Housing Relocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle interior structures with housing sections for curtain members can cause claustrophobic sensations in occupants when the curtain members are in a non-deployed state due to the projection of these sections into the cabin space.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle interior structure with a moving member that houses the curtain member within a hollow housing section on the opposite side of the cabin, allowing the curtain to deploy into the cabin without projecting the housing section into the cabin, and utilizing an opening-closing member and drive section to stabilize and align the curtain member's deployment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a housing section that houses a curtain member is provided in a state projecting into a vehicle cabin, then the curtain member can be deployed into the vehicle cabin, but the housing section causes an occupant to experience a claustrophobic sensation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurtain deployment capabilityVSAvoidclaustrophobic sensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The housing section is repositioned from projecting into the vehicle cabin to being located on the opposite side to the vehicle cabin. The curtain member extends through the opening from this rearward position, changing the spatial dimension of the housing arrangement to eliminate the claustrophobic effect while preserving deployment functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The curtain member is housed within the hollow housing section when in the non-deployed state. The housing section contains the curtain member in a compact form, similar to nested dolls, and allows it to extend outward when needed without the housing itself projecting into the cabin space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If the housing section is positioned to allow curtain deployment into the cabin, then the curtain can be accessed by occupants, but the housing section occupies vehicle cabin interior space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurtain accessibilityVSAvoidcabin interior space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The housing section is relocated to the opposite side of the vehicle cabin rather than projecting into it. This dimensional repositioning allows the curtain to be deployed into the cabin while the housing itself occupies space outside the cabin interior, preserving valuable interior volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the moving member is moved manually by an occupant, then the curtain can be deployed, but the movement direction may waver and the position may be unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual operationVSAvoidmoving member position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical operation is replaced with a drive section that automatically moves the moving member. This substitution of the mechanical control system with an automated drive mechanism eliminates the wavering and instability caused by manual handling, while still allowing the curtain to be deployed on demand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3632746B1Vehicle interior structure
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3632746B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3632746B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3632746B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An interior structure includes a pillar garnish (42), a channel member (44), and a screen member (46). The pillar garnish (42) is integral with a center pillar (16), and is formed with an opening facing a vehicle cabin and formed with a hollow housing section (148) on the opposite side to the vehicle cabin. The channel member (44) is provided so as to be capable of being housed in the housing section (148) and capable of moving toward the vehicle cabin through the opening. The screen member (46) is provided at the channel member (44) so as to be housed in the housing section (148) when in a non-deployed state and so as to be deployed in the vehicle cabin in a state in which the channel member (44) has been moved into the vehicle cabin.