Vehicle Armrest Touchscreen and Light Blocking Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated driving vehicles lack the ability to accommodate various activities within the vehicle during travel, such as meetings or work, due to inadequate interior configurations and lack of user-friendly input devices.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle design featuring a seat and armrest configuration with integrated touchscreens, light emitting devices, and covers that allow occupants to input commands and interact with vehicle systems while traveling, including a second planar member that blocks external light to create a calm environment for concentration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If automated driving system performs all driving tasks under all conditions (level 5 automation), then driver involvement is eliminated and occupants can perform various activities, but the vehicle lacks user-friendly input devices and adequate interior configurations for comfortable interaction
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides a physical resting place for occupants' arms while simultaneously housing touchscreens and light emitting devices for vehicle control and information display. This multi-functional design enables comfortable interaction during various activities such as meetings, work, or entertainment without requiring separate control interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The touchscreens and light emitting devices are integrated within the armrest structure, with covers that can be opened or removed to access the input devices. This nested configuration allows the armrest to contain control interfaces while maintaining its primary function as a comfort element, enabling occupants to interact with vehicle systems without compromising their comfort position.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If second planar member blocks external light to create calm environment, then occupant concentration is improved, but vehicle interior becomes darker and may reduce visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The second planar member is selectively positioned to block external light only in specific zones where occupants need concentration, such as above the armrest or near the touchscreen area. This localized shading creates calm environments for specific tasks while maintaining overall interior brightness and visibility through other vehicle windows and areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The second planar member is designed to be movable or adjustable, allowing it to be positioned or removed based on occupancy needs. When occupants require concentration for work or meetings, the planar member is deployed to block external light; when natural light or visibility is needed, the planar member can be repositioned or removed, enabling dynamic adaptation to different usage scenarios.
3Ease of operation
If touchscreens are integrated in armrest for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest with integrated touchscreens provides self-contained control capability, allowing occupants to independently operate vehicle functions without requiring assistance from drivers or other occupants. The light emitting devices and touchscreens are directly accessible within the armrest, enabling occupants to control entertainment, climate, or information systems autonomously during automated driving.
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
Enables occupants to perform various tasks and interact with vehicle systems comfortably during travel, improving the living and business modes by providing a calm and focused environment and enhancing user interaction with vehicle controls.
Implementation Method 1
a second planar member that is allowed to be disposed between the first planar member and the seat, and has a second transmittance for visible light that is smaller than the first transmittance
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes: a vehicle body including a vehicle cabin; at least one wheel disposed along one direction in the vehicle body; a seat disposed inside the vehicle cabin; a first planar member that is fixed to the vehicle body, separates the vehicle cabin from an outside of the vehicle, is disposed further toward the outside of the vehicle than the seat in the one direction, and has a first transmittance for visible light; a second planar member that is allowed to be disposed between the first planar member and the seat, and has a second transmittance for visible light that is smaller than the first transmittance; and an input device. The second planar member is disposed between the first planar member and the seat in a case where a predetermined input is performed on the input device.