Removable Vehicle Control Panel Shield with Sensor-Driven Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle control panels are vulnerable to electrical malfunctions due to water ingress when windows or doors are opened in rainy conditions, potentially damaging the electrical components.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle control panel protection device with a main body covering the control panel, equipped with fasteners for attachment, a sensor to detect the panel's topography, and an illumination unit to create an illuminated outline of buttons, levers, and switches on the outer surface, preventing water from reaching the internal components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a protective cover is added to the control panel, then water protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater protectionVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cover is designed as a separate, removable component that can be detached when not needed. This segmentation allows the control panel to maintain its original simplicity during normal operation while providing water protection when the cover is attached, thus resolving the contradiction between protection and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cover transitions from a static addition to a dynamic, removable component. Users can attach the cover when water protection is needed and remove it when full functionality is required, making the system adaptable to different operational conditions without permanently increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a removable cover is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases due to potential misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidprotection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system is designed to automatically align and secure the protective cover in the correct position. The self-aligning mechanism ensures that users can easily attach the cover without requiring precise manual positioning, while the system itself guarantees proper alignment and sealing, thus maintaining both ease of operation and protection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If fastening mechanisms are added, then protection reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection reliabilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The complex fastening mechanisms are extracted and integrated into the protective cover itself rather than requiring separate attachment tools or complex assembly procedures. The fasteners are built-in and automatically engage with the control panel, simplifying the user's interaction while maintaining secure, reliable fastening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11318841B2Vehicle control panel protection device

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 ROZIER JULIA

AI summary

A vehicle control panel protection device, including a main body to cover at least a portion of a vehicle control panel disposed on a portion of a door of a vehicle, at least one first fastener disposed on at least a portion of the main body, and at least one second fastener disposed on the vehicle control panel to detachably connect to the at least one first fastener.