Vehicle Trunk Touchscreen Control for Switch Consolidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The proliferation of mechanical switches in vehicle trunk systems increases complexity, making the systems less user-friendly and harder to operate.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle trunk management system featuring a permanently attached touchscreen control panel that connects wirelessly or via a wired connection to various controllable devices within the trunk, such as seat folding mechanisms, AC systems, and safety release switches, centralizing control and improving user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical switches are used to control trunk functions, then each function can be controlled independently, but the system complexity increases and user-friendliness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual mechanical switch controls into a single touchscreen control panel. The touchscreen integrates multiple control functions (seat folding, AC control, safe operation, trunk door release) into one unified interface, eliminating the need for separate mechanical switches for each function. This consolidation reduces the number of control elements while maintaining full functionality, directly addressing the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The touchscreen control panel serves as a universal control interface for multiple trunk functions simultaneously. Instead of having dedicated mechanical switches for seat folding, AC control, safe operation, and trunk release, the single touchscreen handles all these functions through its multi-functional capability. This universal interface simplifies the control architecture while providing comprehensive functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mechanical switches are installed in the trunk, then each control function is available, but the number of components increases making the system harder to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple control functions that would traditionally require separate mechanical switches into a single touchscreen interface. The touchscreen integrates seat folding control, AC system control, safe operation control, and trunk door release control into one component, reducing the total number of control elements from multiple switches to one unified panel while maintaining all necessary adaptability and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The touchscreen control panel is designed as a universal interface that can handle diverse trunk control functions through a single device. It provides adaptability for seat positioning, temperature control, security operations, and door release all through one multi-functional panel, eliminating the need for multiple specialized mechanical switches.
3Device complexity
If control panel is placed inside the trunk, then electronic architecture is simplified and control is centralized, but the control panel needs protection from damage by luggage
Solution Approach 1:
The trapdoor is designed to automatically close and protect the touchscreen control panel before luggage can cause damage. The protection mechanism is pre-configured to activate when the trunk is in use, creating a protective barrier in advance. The trapdoor can be automatically triggered to close when the trunk lid is opened or when luggage is detected, preventing harmful impacts on the control panel before they occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The trapdoor structure provides beforehand protection for the touchscreen by creating a physical barrier that absorbs or deflects potential impacts from luggage. The movable protective cover is designed to close over the control panel, cushioning it against harmful factors such as heavy objects or rough handling that might occur during trunk usage.
Data Source
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Figure 3~5
AI summary
The proposed invention concerns a vehicle trunk management system (1) comprising: - a control panel, in particular a touchscreen (2), configured to be attached permanently inside a vehicle trunk (T); - at least one controllable vehicle device (10) that can be controlled by a user via the control panel, in particular the touchscreen (2).