Vehicle Power Window Control via Hand Motion Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle power window control systems require accurate positioning of the power window switch for operation, leading to less smooth window glass opening and closing operations.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle power window control device with an opening-closing section and a detection section, where the detection section is positioned further towards the vehicle's upper side and front side than the armrest and door inner handle, detects hand movements to intuitively control the window glass, eliminating the need for precise switch positioning and preventing unintentional operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a power window switch is used for window glass operation, then the window glass can be opened and closed, but the occupant must accurately ascertain the position of the switch which reduces operational smoothness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmoothness of window glass operationVSAvoidposition accuracy of power window switch

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical power window switch with a motion detection section that uses motion sensors to detect hand movements. This substitution eliminates the need for precise switch positioning and allows intuitive control through natural hand gestures, thereby improving operational smoothness while removing the dependency on measurement precision of a physical switch position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the detection section is positioned to detect hand movements for window control, then intuitive operation is enabled, but unintentional activation may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintuitiveness of hand movement controlVSAvoidprevention of unintentional window operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by strategically positioning the detection section at a specific location on the door (upper side and front side relative to the armrest and door inner handle) where normal hand movements during door operation do not occur. This localized placement ensures that the detection zone corresponds specifically to intentional window operation gestures while excluding areas where unintentional movements might be detected, thus maintaining reliability while enabling intuitive control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the detection section is placed near the armrest and door inner handle for easy access, then operation convenience is improved, but normal hand movements during door use may trigger unintended window operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of control functionVSAvoidunintentional window glass opening or closing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the detection section at a location that is still easily accessible but strategically different from the armrest and door inner handle area. By placing it on the upper side and front side of these components, the system maintains operational convenience while creating a detection zone that excludes normal hand movements during door operation, thereby preventing unintentional window activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The detection section acts as an intermediary between the occupant's hand movements and the window glass operation. By positioning it in a specific intermediate location, the system filters out movements that are not intended for window control while still responding to legitimate control gestures, thus mediating between accessibility and prevention of unintended activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11732523B2Vehicle power window control device

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A vehicle power window control device includes an opening-closing section, a detection section, and a controller. The opening-closing section is disposed at a side door of a vehicle, and is configured to move window glass provided at the side door. The detection section is disposed at a location further toward a vehicle upper side than an armrest of the side door and further toward a vehicle front side than a door inner handle of the side door, and is configured to detect a hand movement by an occupant within a detection region set at a vehicle inner side of the location. The controller closes the window glass in a case in which an upward hand movement by the occupant has been detected by the detection section, and opens the window glass in a case in which a downward hand movement by the occupant has been detected by the detection section.