In-Vehicle Storage Lid Touch Sensor Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional in-vehicle storage units with touch sensor mechanisms suffer from undesired lid opening and closing due to accidental touch operations and compromise space efficiency due to the need for a separate touch sensor area.

Innovation Solution

An in-vehicle storage unit with a touch sensor panel integrated into the lid surface that displays operation icons only upon sensing a valid touch, preventing accidental operations and optimizing space by eliminating the need for a dedicated sensor area, while a controller manages the opening and closing mechanism based on touch inputs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a touch sensor mechanism is provided separately from the lid surface, then the lid can be opened and closed automatically, but the space for the storing portion is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic lid opening and closingVSAvoidstoring portion space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The touch sensor is integrated into the lid surface, merging the sensor function with the structural lid component. This eliminates the need for a separate dedicated sensor area, thereby maximizing the storing portion space while maintaining automatic lid operation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If the touch sensor is exposed and located near the lid, then the lid can be opened automatically, but accidental touch operations occur causing undesired opening and closing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic lid openingVSAvoidundesired lid operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lid surface is divided into different functional zones: a touch sensor area that triggers lid opening and a display area that shows operation icons. By spatially separating these functions and requiring specific interaction patterns (touching sensor area while icons are displayed), the system achieves both automatic operation capability and protection against accidental activation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

Prevents unintended lid operation and enhances space efficiency by integrating the touch sensor into the lid surface, ensuring precise control and maintaining the original functionality of the in-vehicle armrest.

Implementation Method 1

the touch sensor panel preferably includes a capacitor, and preferably senses a touch operation from a change caused in the capacitance of the capacitor when an operator touches the touch sensor panel with a finger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3287321B1In-vehicle storage unit
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 NIFCO INC
  • EP3287321B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3287321B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3287321B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention is an in-vehicle storage unit that can store an item to be stored in a vehicle, and includes: a storing portion that stores an item to be stored; an opening formed in the storing portion; a lid that is formed on the opening, and can be opened and closed; and a touch sensor panel that is formed in a surface of the lid, and can sense a touch operation by an operator. The touch sensor panel displays an operation icon on the touch sensor panel, in accordance with a sensing signal of the touch operation.