Sliding Center Console for Rear-Seat Drink Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive vehicles face challenges in providing convenient access to drinks and food for both passengers and pets, as pets often move freely within the cabin and may not be able to easily reach drink holders or pet bowls, while passengers may also require easy access to drinks during travel.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle monitoring system that detects the location of passengers and pets using imaging devices and RF signal communication, controlling a movable center console to adjust its position and move a drink holder or pet bowl closer to them, ensuring enhanced accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pets are allowed to move freely within the cabin without restraint devices, then pets can move about the passenger compartment freely, but pets cannot easily reach drink holders or pet bowls located in fixed positions
Solution Approach 1:
The center console is made movable along the vehicle's longitudinal axis through a sliding mechanism actuated by an electric motor. The console can dynamically adjust its position between a forward position (near front seats) and a rearward position (near rear seats), allowing pets and passengers to access the console regardless of their location in the cabin.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors (capacitive, optical, or RF) to automatically detect the presence and location of pets or passengers. Based on this detection, the controller automatically actuates the console to move to the appropriate position without requiring manual intervention from the pet owner, making the system self-serving.
2Ease of operation
If drink holders are positioned in fixed locations, then the console structure is simple and stable, but passengers and pets cannot easily access drinks when seated in different positions
Solution Approach 1:
The center console transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic one that can slide along the vehicle's longitudinal axis. This is achieved through a sliding mechanism with an actuator (electric motor) that moves the console between predefined positions, enabling adaptability to different seating arrangements while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors (capacitive sensors detecting proximity, optical sensors detecting presence, or RF signal communication devices) that provide feedback to the controller about the location of pets or passengers. The controller processes this feedback and automatically adjusts the console position accordingly, creating a closed-loop adaptive system.
3Ease of operation
If the center console remains in a fixed forward position, then the console structure is simple and stable, but rearward seats cannot easily access drink holders
Solution Approach 1:
The center console is equipped with a sliding mechanism that allows it to move along the vehicle's longitudinal axis. An actuator (electric motor) drives this movement, enabling the console to transition between a forward position (optimized for front seats) and a rearward position (optimized for rear seats), thus accommodating different seating configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects when a pet or passenger is seated in the rearward seats using sensors (capacitive, optical, or RF). Upon detection, the controller automatically actuates the console to move to the rearward position without requiring manual input, making the system self-adjusting to user needs.
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 system effectively positions drink holders and pet bowls closer to occupants, improving convenience and accessibility for both passengers and pets, enhancing their travel experience by ensuring they can easily access beverages and food.
Implementation Method 1
A vehicle monitoring system that detects the location of passengers and pets using imaging devices and RF signal communication
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle is provided that includes a vehicle body defining a cabin interior and comprising a front row of seats and a rear row of seats, a plurality of seats located within the cabin interior, and a monitoring system for detecting and monitoring a pet or passenger within the cabin interior. The vehicle also includes a movable center console positioned between a pair of the forward row of seats and forward of the rear row of seats and comprising a holder for holding a drink container, and a controller processing signals generated by the monitoring system and determining a location of the detected pet or passenger on the rear row of seats based on the processed signals, the controller further controlling the movable console between a forward first position and a rearward second position closer to the rear row of seats.