Touch-Sensitive Vehicle Bodywork for Flush Exterior Controls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing human-machine interface components in vehicles interfere with the aerodynamic and aesthetic profiles, necessitating joints and coupling elements that degrade performance and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle actuation system that allows operation through direct touch or gesture on the bodywork, utilizing sensorized panels and an actuation system to control movable panels without requiring direct intervention of the driver, eliminating the need for physical interface components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If human-machine interface components (handles, levers, buttons) are assembled with the bodywork, then the vehicle can be operated, but the aerodynamic profile and aesthetics are degraded due to joints and coupling elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the human-machine interface components with the bodywork itself, making the bodywork directly interactable. The bodywork panels are equipped with sensors that detect touches and gestures, eliminating the need for separate handles, levers, and buttons. This integration maintains the continuous aerodynamic profile while enabling vehicle operation through direct interaction with the bodywork surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical interface components (handles, levers, buttons) with a sensor-based system embedded in the bodywork. Instead of mechanical contact points, the bodywork uses touch sensors and gesture recognition technology to detect user input, substituting mechanical interaction with electronic sensing while maintaining the smooth external profile.
2Ease of operation
If human-machine interface components are assembled with the bodywork, then the vehicle can be operated, but the production complexity increases due to joints and coupling elements
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the interface functionality directly into the bodywork panels, the patent eliminates the need for separate assembly of handles, levers, and buttons with their associated joints and coupling elements. The sensors are embedded within the bodywork structure itself, simplifying the manufacturing process by reducing the number of parts and assembly steps required.
3Shape
If sensorized panels are integrated into the bodywork, then the aerodynamic profile is maintained, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds the sensing elements within the bodywork panel structure itself, nesting the sensors inside the existing bodywork geometry. This approach allows the sensors to be integrated without compromising the external aerodynamic profile, as the sensing components are hidden within the panel thickness rather than adding external protrusions.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method and vehicle (1; 1') presenting an actuation system (15) sensitive to the direct touch between an external body (D) and the bodywork (4); the actuation system (15) having a sensing unit (11), which is shielded by the bodywork (4).