Vehicle Box Lid Heating Element for Armrest Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle box apparatuses with integrated lids as armrests only function as armrests at the closed position and lack temperature adjustment functionality when the lid is open, limiting their functionality and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle box apparatus with a lid that pivots between closed and open positions, featuring a heating element on both the closed and open surface portions of the lid, allowing the lid to function as an armrest and proximity heater, providing temperature adjustment and comfort in both positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the lid is used as an arm rest only at the closed position, then the structure is simple, but the functionality as an arm rest is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is designed to function as an arm rest in both closed and opened positions. The heating element is configured to heat both the closed-position upper surface and the opened-position upper surface, enabling the lid to provide thermal comfort functionality regardless of its position, thereby achieving multi-functionality without requiring separate heating systems for each position.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is designed to dynamically adapt to the lid's position by providing heat to different surfaces based on whether the lid is closed or open. The system transitions from a static single-position heating approach to a dynamic multi-position heating approach that follows the lid's movement between closed and opened states.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conditioned air is introduced into the lid only when closed, then the energy consumption is low, but the temperature adjustment functionality is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element operates dynamically based on the lid's position and user needs, providing temperature adjustment functionality in both closed and opened positions. This dynamic operation allows the system to adapt to different usage scenarios while managing energy consumption efficiently by activating heating only when and where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is positioned to provide localized heating to specific surfaces of the lid depending on its position. When the lid is closed, the closed-position upper surface is heated; when opened, the opened-position upper surface is heated. This localized heating approach enables temperature adjustment functionality without requiring uniform heating of the entire lid structure.
3Ease of operation
If the lid body has different surface portions for opened and closed positions, then the ergonomics are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lid body is segmented into distinct surface portions: a closed-position upper-surface portion and an opened-position upper-surface portion. This segmentation allows each surface to be optimized for its specific ergonomic requirements while being manufactured as an integrated lid body structure, balancing manufacturing feasibility with ergonomic performance.
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
Enhances the functionality of the vehicle box apparatus by providing a comfortable and temperature-adjustable armrest experience in both the closed and open positions, efficiently warming the occupant and the seat, thus improving user comfort and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element is disposed at the opened-position upper-surface portion and the closed-position upper-surface portion
Data Source
AI summary
A box apparatus for vehicles is disposed to a side of a seat and includes: a box having an internal space having an opening facing upward; and a lid having a lid body and a pivotal shaft integrated with the lid body and pivotally supported relative to the box, configured to open and close the opening of the box, and positionally changed between a closed position where the lid body is disposed above the box and closes the opening, and an opened position where the lid body is disposed at a side of the box and opens the opening. The lid body has an opened-position upper-surface portion becoming an upper surface at the opened position and a closed-position upper-surface portion becoming an upper surface at the closed position and becoming a side surface at the opened position, and a heating element is disposed at the opened-position and closed-position upper-surface portions.