Movable Visual Reference for Vehicle Motion Sickness Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle interior systems for reducing motion sickness require training for passengers and only provide limited relief, as they fail to effectively synchronize visual and vestibular information without continuous observation.

Innovation Solution

A device is mounted in the vehicle with a moveable part that corresponds to the vehicle's acceleration, providing visual information through rotation in a horizontal or vertical plane, ensuring the visual information matches the vestibular experience, and is designed to be visible within the passenger's field of view without requiring continuous attention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a running light system is used to provide visual motion information, then motion sickness may be relieved, but training is required and relief is limited to a minor number of passengers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion sickness relief effectivenessVSAvoidpassenger training requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a visual copy of the vehicle's acceleration through a movable reflective element that mirrors the motion experienced by the passenger. This optical copy provides immediate visual feedback corresponding to vestibular sensations without requiring training or interpretation, making the motion information directly comprehensible to all passengers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical running light system with an optical reflection system using a movable mirror or reflective element. This substitution allows for more precise and immediate visualization of motion dynamics, as the reflective element can quickly respond to acceleration changes without the mechanical constraints of physical light sources moving along fixed paths.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If visual information is provided through a display or book, then entertainment is possible, but motion sickness occurs due to deviation between visual and vestibular information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveentertainment functionalityVSAvoidmotion sickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic visual reference element that moves in real-time correspondence with vehicle acceleration. Unlike static displays or books, this movable reflective element dynamically adjusts its position to match the vehicle's motion, providing visual information that is consistent with vestibular sensations and eliminates motion sickness while allowing entertainment systems to remain static.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a movable reflective element as an intermediary between the vehicle's motion and the passenger's visual system. This intermediary visually represents the vehicle's acceleration, mediating between the conflicting visual and vestibular information streams and allowing passengers to maintain comfortable viewing of entertainment systems without experiencing motion sickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the passenger seats are actuatable to move with the vehicle, then visual and vestibular information deviation is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion sickness reductionVSAvoidactuator system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a simplified visual copy of vehicle motion using a movable reflective element rather than physically moving the passenger seat. This optical copy provides the necessary visual-vestibular correspondence without requiring complex actuator systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining motion sickness reduction effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Reliability

If a large moveable part is used to provide visual reference, then visual impact is increased, but space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion sickness relief effectivenessVSAvoidspace occupied by moveable part
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the vertical dimension by mounting the movable reflective element on the roof or upper interior surfaces of the vehicle. This dimensional placement allows the visual reference to be prominently displayed in the passenger's field of view without occupying significant horizontal or lateral space, maintaining effectiveness while minimizing space requirements.

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

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device effectively reduces motion sickness by synchronizing visual and vestibular information, providing a natural reference to the driving direction, thereby alleviating discomfort without the need for passenger training or continuous observation.

Implementation Method 1

at least a part of the device is configured to be moveable in a predetermined limited range of movement corresponding to an acceleration of the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertia: Inertia

Data Source

PatentEP3964399B1Device for counteracting motion sickness in a vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 INALFA ROOF SYST GROUP
  • EP3964399B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3964399B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3964399B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4

AI summary

A device (20, 30) is configured to be arranged in a passenger compartment of a vehicle to provide visual information to a passenger such that visual and vestibular information match and motion sickness is suppressed. Thereto, at least a part (22, 34) of the device is configured to be moveable in a predetermined limited range of movement corresponding to an acceleration of the vehicle and the device is designed and configured to provide visual information to a passenger with respect to a direction of such acceleration by movement of said part of the device corresponding to such direction.