Dynamically Deformable Vehicle Surfaces for Adaptive Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle user interfaces are limited by the fixed number of physical buttons and controls, leading to a cluttered cockpit and reduced flexibility in button placement, which can confuse drivers and limit the number of controllable functions.
Innovation Solution
A dynamically deformable surface on vehicle components that can form buttons on demand, equipped with biosensors to acquire user biodata when engaged, allowing for a cleaner interface and expanded control options without visual overload.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If more physical buttons and controls are added to the vehicle cockpit, then more functions can be controlled, but the cockpit becomes cluttered and drivers become confused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically deformable surface that can change its physical configuration on demand. Buttons are not permanently fixed but are created temporarily when needed, allowing the interface to adapt its complexity based on current driving conditions and user needs, thus providing more control functions without permanent clutter
Solution Approach 2:
A single deformable surface structure serves multiple functions: it can remain flat to provide a clean surface, or deform to create various button configurations depending on which functions are needed. This universal structure replaces the need for multiple fixed buttons, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining versatility
2Ease of operation
If buttons are placed in various regions of the cockpit, then users can more easily perceive and access controls, but the fixed placement limits flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The button placement transitions from static to dynamic. The deformable surface can create buttons in different locations and configurations based on real-time needs, allowing optimal placement for current tasks while maintaining ease of access through the driver's natural reach zones
Solution Approach 2:
The system can anticipate needed controls and pre-position buttons in optimal locations before they are needed. The deformable surface is configured in advance based on predicted driving scenarios, ensuring buttons are already in accessible positions when functions are required
Data Source
AI summary
A surface of a vehicle component can be dynamically deformable surface. The dynamically deformable surface can be configured to undergo deformations to dynamically form a dynamic button or other user interface element on demand. The dynamically deformable surface can include one or more biosensors. When a user engages the dynamic button with a portion of the body, the one or more biosensors can acquire user biodata. The user biodata can be used by the vehicle as input for various purposes. For instance, the vehicle can operate as a health-monitoring and/or comfort monitoring system. As a result of these arrangements, buttons and other user interface elements can appear and disappear depending on the need and/or application, providing a cleaner vehicle cockpit interface and greatly expanding the possibilities of where such buttons can be located at and how many things can be controlled by the driver using physical interfaces.