Ignition Key Screen and Movable Holder for EV Drive Readiness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric vehicles lack intuitive and foolproof mechanisms for indicating their readiness to drive, which can lead to driver confusion due to the absence of noise and mechanical engagement cues.
Innovation Solution
An ignition key with a screen and a housing system that uses a movable holder and actuator device to visually indicate the vehicle's drive state through color changes and position adjustments, ensuring clear driver feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a start button is used in electric vehicles, then the drive can be enabled, but the driver cannot immediately understand whether the vehicle is ready to drive due to absence of noise and mechanical cues
Solution Approach 1:
The ignition key incorporates a screen that provides visual feedback to the driver, displaying different colors (yellow when not recognized, green when recognized) to clearly indicate the vehicle's readiness state. This feedback mechanism resolves the information loss problem by providing immediate, unambiguous visual confirmation of whether the drive can be enabled.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen on the ignition key uses color changes to communicate vehicle status: yellow indicates the key is not recognized or drive is not ready, while green indicates the key is recognized and drive is ready. This color-coding system provides intuitive, immediate information to the driver without requiring auditory or mechanical cues.
2Shape
If the ignition key is completely housed in the housing, then the design is sleek and compact, but the driver cannot easily see or interact with the key
Solution Approach 1:
The holder supporting the ignition key is designed to be movable between a retracted position (where the key is flush with or inside the housing) and an extended position (where the key protrudes for visibility and interaction). This dynamic mechanism allows the housing to maintain a sleek appearance while enabling easy driver access and visibility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator device extends the ignition key protrusion in the vertical dimension, allowing the key to move between being embedded in the housing and protruding outward. This dimensional movement resolves the conflict between maintaining a compact housing shape and enabling driver interaction with the key.
3Ease of operation
If the ignition key protrudes from the housing, then the driver can easily see and interact with it, but the design becomes less compact and more exposed to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The movable holder with actuator device allows the ignition key to dynamically adjust its position, protruding only when driver interaction is needed and retracting when not in use. This reduces exposure to damage while maintaining accessibility, resolving the contradiction between key visibility and housing protection.
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicle having: a powertrain system; an ignition key; a passenger compartment provided with a trim panel, in which there is a housing configured to accommodate and contain the ignition key; a detection device, which is arranged in close proximity to the housing and is configured to detect the ignition key; and a control unit configured to enable and disable the drive of the vehicle. The housing has: a cavity, which is obtained through the trim panel, develops vertically and is shaped so as to contain the ignition key; a holder, which is mounted inside the cavity in a movable manner so as to translate along a vertical movement direction and has an upper wall shaped so as to receive the ignition key laid on it; and an actuator device configured to move the holder inside the cavity.