Vehicle Roof Control Unit Layout for Reduced Interior Cabling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing amount of cabling and complexity in vehicles due to the integration of sensors and user interface functions necessitates a solution that reduces wiring while maintaining functionality, particularly in the vehicle interior where multiple passengers need access to control units.
Innovation Solution
A central control unit is mounted in the vehicle roof's centre portion, integrating sensing and user interaction functionalities, acting as a hub to communicate with other control units via a vehicle network, reducing the need for extensive cabling and allowing both front and rear passengers to interact with vehicle functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sensors and user interface functions are integrated in multiple locations throughout the vehicle interior, then functionality and accessibility for all passengers is improved, but the amount of cabling and system complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sensing functionality and user interface functionality into a single integrated control unit located in the vehicle roof. This merging eliminates the need for separate control units and extensive cabling for each function, directly resolving the contradiction by maintaining versatility while reducing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit is designed to perform multiple functions including sensing various interior conditions (temperature, humidity, air quality, passenger presence) and providing user interface capabilities (display, touch input, audio output). This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace multiple separate systems, reducing cabling while maintaining comprehensive functionality.
2Ease of operation
If a central control unit is positioned in the vehicle roof centre portion, then accessibility to all passengers and sensing coverage is improved, but the amount of cabling to connect to other control units is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is positioned in the vertical dimension (vehicle roof) rather than in the horizontal plane of the dashboard or door panels. This dimensional change allows the control unit to be equidistant from all passengers regardless of their seating position, improving accessibility while minimizing cabling length to other control units distributed throughout the vehicle interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the vehicle interior control system into a central control unit in the roof and distributed control units at other locations. The central unit handles sensing and user interface functions, while other control units handle vehicle-specific functions. This segmentation allows communication through a vehicle network, reducing the need for extensive point-to-point cabling.
3Reliability
If multiple separate control units are provided for sensing and user interaction functions, then functional independence and reliability are improved, but the amount of cabling and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges sensing functions and user interface functions into a single integrated control unit, eliminating the need for multiple separate control units. This reduces manufacturing costs and cabling requirements while maintaining functional independence through modular design and network communication with other vehicle control units.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A control unit is configured to be mounted in a centre portion of a vehicle roof in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The centre portion of the vehicle roof is defined as a surface area of the vehicle roof that extends in a main driving direction from a backrest of a front seat in the passenger compartment to a backrest of a back seat; and is arranged in a transverse direction centred between a first lateral edge of the vehicle roof and an opposite second lateral edge of the vehicle roof, the transverse direction being perpendicular to the main driving direction. The control unit is configured to sense at least one condition in the passenger compartment; provide at least one user interaction function; and communicate with a further control unit in the vehicle.