Deployable Touch Panel in Vehicle Center Console Armrest

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Solution Overview

Problem

The ergonomics of existing vehicle navigation systems are compromised as drivers must input commands from an uncomfortable location on the dashboard, while controls for other functions are scattered across the dashboard and steering wheel, lacking a centralized, ergonomic control solution.

Innovation Solution

A moveable touch panel integrated into a deployable portion of the center console armrest, allowing fore and aft movement or pivoting for comfortable driver access, which can control navigation, audio, climate, and other vehicle functions, including Bluetooth connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the navigation display is located in the center of the dashboard, then the display is ideal for viewing by both driver and passenger, but the control location is not ergonomic for driver input

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay visibilityVSAvoiddriver input ergonomics

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into two separate locations: the display unit remains in the dashboard center console for optimal viewing, while the touch pad control is separated and relocated to the center console armrest for ergonomic driver access. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The touch pad control panel acts as an intermediary device between the driver and the navigation display. It is mounted on the interior surface of the center console armrest, positioned between the driver's natural hand position and the dashboard controls, providing a comfortable intermediate control point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If controls are distributed throughout the dashboard and steering wheel, then various functions can be accessed, but the controls are scattered and lack centralized ergonomic access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidcontrol accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The touch pad control panel is designed as a universal control interface that can operate multiple vehicle functions including navigation, audio, climate settings, and other vehicle systems. This consolidates scattered controls into a single multi-functional interface located at an ergonomic position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple control functions that were previously distributed across the dashboard and steering wheel are merged into a single touch pad interface. The control panel combines navigation controls, audio controls, climate controls, and other vehicle function controls in one centralized location on the center console armrest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8659554B2Touch pad control panel located in the center console of a vehicle

Publication Date: 2014.02.25 FCA US LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a moveable touch pad that opens out of a center console armrest and is operable to control a navigation unit or other vehicle functions. Advantageously, locating a control touch pad unit in the center console armrest provides an ergonomically desirable solution for the vehicle's driver. The touch pad can be stored in the vehicle's center console armrest, and the touch pad is configured to move fore and aft for comfortable driver access. Additionally, the control touch pad unit can be utilized to control other vehicle functions, such as audio, climate settings, odometer settings, lighting, mobile phones, and the like.