Deformable Vehicle Input Surface With On-Demand Controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing user input systems in vehicles clutter the cabin and distract drivers due to the need for additional input devices, which can be difficult to reach and operate without taking eyes off the road, and soft buttons on electronic devices are hard to select.
Innovation Solution
A user input system that includes a deformable material with a sensor layer and an actuator to deploy an input device, such as a mouse or button array, at the user's hand location within the vehicle, minimizing visible devices and reducing distraction by only appearing when needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If additional input devices are included in the vehicle cabin, then user input capability is improved, but cabin clutter and driver distraction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The input device transitions from a static, permanently visible state to a dynamic, on-demand appearance. The deformable material allows the input device to emerge only when needed at the user's hand location, then retract back into the surface, eliminating permanent visual clutter while maintaining input capability when required
Solution Approach 2:
The input device is nested within the deformable material surface, similar to a doll within a doll. When not in use, the input device is concealed within the material's enclosure; when activated, it emerges from the material to provide input functionality, then returns to its nested state
2Ease of operation
If traditional input devices are placed within reach of the driver, then ease of operation is improved, but driver safety deteriorates due to increased distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the user's own hand position as the trigger mechanism. The sensor layer detects when the user's hand approaches or contacts the deformable material, automatically initiating the deployment of the input device at that location. This eliminates the need for the driver to search for or reach for input devices, as they appear exactly where the user needs them
Solution Approach 2:
The input device is deployed in advance of the user's actual input action. The sensor layer detects the user's hand approach before contact occurs, triggering early deployment of the input device so it is ready immediately when the user needs to interact with it
3Adaptability or versatility
If soft buttons are used on electronic devices, then device integration is improved, but ease of selection deteriorates due to difficulty in selection
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable material incorporates indicators (such as color changes, lighting, or tactile feedback) that highlight which button or input area is currently active or should be selected. This visual or tactile differentiation makes it clear to the user which soft button to press, eliminating the ambiguity of uniform soft button surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
User input systems and vehicles having a user input system having a deformable material are disclosed. In one embodiment, a user input system includes a base, a deformable material, wherein at least the base and the deformable material define an enclosure, a sensor layer disposed on or within the deformable material, at least one actuator coupled to the base and disposed within the enclosure, and an input device coupled to the at least one actuator. The at least one actuator is configured to raise the input device to deform the deformable material at a location of a hand on the deformable material based at least in part on a signal provided by the sensor layer.