Gap-Free Seat Cover Touch Controls to Prevent Liquid Ingress
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat heating controls in motor vehicles, particularly in motorcycles, are aesthetically unappealing, prone to liquid penetration, and require multiple components, leading to discomfort and potential damage, with passenger controls often requiring driver intervention.
Innovation Solution
A seat cover with an integrated electronic control element featuring a touch-sensitive sensor surface that allows users to control vehicle functions seamlessly, eliminating gaps and reducing components, and providing haptic and visual feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional control element is integrated into the seat cover, then the control function is achieved, but gaps are created between the control element and the cover requiring additional trim pieces
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is merged with the seat cover by integrating the sensor surface directly into the cover material, eliminating the need for separate control element housings and trim pieces. The control element becomes an integral part of the seat cover rather than an add-on component.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat cover serves multiple functions: it provides the seating surface, acts as the control element housing, and functions as the sensor surface itself. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated control element components and trim pieces.
2Reliability
If additional trim pieces are used to close gaps around the control element, then the gap is sealed, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates and component complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trim-free design merges the control element seamlessly with the seat cover surface. The sensor surface is integrated directly into the cover material, creating a flush, gap-free appearance that maintains aesthetic quality while providing reliable sealing.
3Ease of operation
If a conventional control element with protruding actuating elements is used, then control functionality is provided, but liquid can penetrate through gaps into the seat interior
Solution Approach 1:
The control element is merged with the seat cover by integrating the sensor surface directly into the cover material. This eliminates gaps and crevices where liquid could penetrate, creating a seamless barrier that prevents liquid ingress while maintaining control functionality.
4Ease of operation
If the control element is placed within easy reach of the passenger, then passenger accessibility is improved, but the driver may be forced into an uncomfortable sitting position to avoid the hard panel
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor surface is made from flexible materials that are integrated into the seat cover. This allows the control surface to remain soft and comfortable to the touch, eliminating the hard panel effect while maintaining passenger accessibility. The flexible membrane provides tactile feedback without creating uncomfortable pressure points.
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 solution integrates vehicle controls into the seat cover without gaps, enhancing aesthetics, reducing component complexity, preventing liquid ingress, and ensuring comfortable operation through haptic and visual feedback.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor surface (5) is a touch-sensitive sensor surface
Implementation Method 2
This coating can function as a wiring harness, electric resistance heater, touch-sensitive control
Implementation Method 3
This coating can function as a wiring harness, electric resistance heater
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a seat cover (1) for a seat element (2) of a motor vehicle, to a seat element (2) and to a motor vehicle. The seat cover (1) comprises an electronic control element (3) having a touch-sensitive sensor surface (5), which control element is designed to be coupled to a control device (6) of the motor vehicle for controlling a vehicle function (7). Furthermore, owing to an actuating action which a user performs on an outer surface portion (10) of a predetermined actuation portion (8) of the seat cover (1), as a result of which the touch-sensitive sensor surface (5) is actuated, the control element (3) is designed to provide a control signal, wherein the actuation portion (8) and a remaining portion (12) of the seat cover (1) are connected to one another without gaps.