Vehicle Touchscreen Tactile Layout for Blind Multi-Component Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing touch-screen-type operation devices in vehicles are limited in their ability to operate multiple components without looking, making it difficult to perform complex touch operations and thus limiting the operability of these devices.

Innovation Solution

A touch-screen-type operation device with multiple operation units formed in convex or concave shapes, positioned differently on the screen to correspond to various vehicle components, allowing for distinct touch operations to control multiple components such as windows and doors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single touch screen is used to operate multiple components, then the device integration is improved, but the operability without looking deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice integrationVSAvoidoperability without looking
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The touch screen is segmented into multiple operation units with different surface geometries (convex, concave, flat regions). Each operation unit corresponds to a specific vehicle component and can be operated independently, allowing the driver to control multiple components without visual confirmation by feeling the distinct surface shapes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the touch screen are given different local qualities through varying surface geometries. Convex regions, concave regions, and flat regions provide tactile differentiation, enabling the driver to distinguish and operate different function areas without looking at the screen.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If a flat touch screen surface is used, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the operability without looking deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidoperability without looking
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The touch screen surface incorporates convex and concave curved regions instead of being completely flat. These curvature variations create tactilely distinguishable operation units that enable operation without looking, while still maintaining relative manufacturing simplicity through molding techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP4056400B1Operation device
Publication Date: 2025.01.22 TOYO DENSO CO LTD
  • EP4056400B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4056400B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4056400B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An operation device according to the present invention has a touch-screen-type operation surface installed in a vehicle. A plurality of operation units having a convex shape or a concave shape associated with a plurality of components mounted in the vehicle, respectively, are formed at different positions on the touch-screen-type operation surface, respectively. The plurality of operation units are configured to accept an input touch operation as an operation instruction for the component associated with each of the plurality of operation units.