Motor Vehicle Control Panel with Contiguous Touch Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor vehicle instrument panels lack an integrated, aesthetically homogeneous appearance, particularly when switched off, due to separation of display screens and control panels, which hinders a unified and smooth visual effect.
Innovation Solution
An electronic control panel featuring a touch-sensitive screen and a contiguous touch-sensitive control surface on a common support, with the screen having a shiny black effect and the control surface providing a mat black effect when switched off, creating a virtually continuous control plane and combining information and touch-sensitive controls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the display screen and control panel are separated, then each component can be independently designed and manufactured, but the overall appearance becomes non-homogeneous and non-integrated, especially when switched off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the display screen and control panel into a single integrated control panel assembly. The display screen is positioned within the control panel structure, and both components share common support elements and mounting mechanisms. This merging allows the entire assembly to present a homogeneous appearance when switched off, while still enabling independent design and manufacturing of the integrated unit.
2Ease of manufacture
If the display screen and control panel are separated, then each component can be independently manufactured, but the control panel lacks a smooth and unified visual effect
Solution Approach 1:
The display screen is nested within the control panel structure. The control panel serves as the outer housing that contains and integrates the display screen component. This nesting arrangement allows the display screen to be manufactured separately and then integrated into the control panel, while the control panel's housing provides a smooth, unified visual appearance that encompasses both components.
3Shape
If the display screen and control panel are integrated, then a homogeneous appearance is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated control panel is segmented into distinct functional modules: the display screen module, the control input module, and the support structure module. Each module can be designed and manufactured relatively independently, then assembled into the final integrated unit. This segmentation reduces the complexity of the overall integration process while maintaining the homogeneous appearance of the completed assembly.
4Device complexity
If the display screen and control panel are separated, then the design is simpler, but the control panel cannot provide maximum control functionalities
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated control panel is designed with multi-functionality, combining display, control input, and processing capabilities within a single unified structure. The control panel can perform multiple functions including displaying information, accepting user inputs through various interfaces, and processing control signals. This universal design provides maximum control functionalities while maintaining a relatively simple integrated structure.
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
The solution achieves a homogeneous and smooth appearance of the control panel, enhancing esthetics and user experience by integrating functionalities while maintaining a unified look, both on and off, with the touch-sensitive screen and control surface working together seamlessly.
Implementation Method 1
the touch-sensitive control surface comprises a capacitive film bonded to the face opposite to that designed to be facing a user
Implementation Method 2
The touch-sensitive screen can be covered with a transparent polycarbonate part coated with a nonreflecting varnish
Data Source
AI summary
The subject of the present invention is an electronic control panel (1) for a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a touch-sensitive screen (3), a touch-sensitive control surface (5) contiguous with said touch-sensitive screen, and a common support (33) for the touch-sensitive screen (3) and for the touch-sensitive control surface (5), the touch-sensitive screen (3) and the touch-sensitive control surface (5) being arranged on the common support (33) at the same level where they meet so as to define a near-continuous control area.