Cabin Front Wall Brace Layout Around the Steering Column Hole

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing cabin front wall structures in vehicles, particularly those with integrated accelerator and brake brackets, fail to sufficiently reinforce the dash panel due to the close location of pedal attachment points, leading to a decrease in strength around the steering column through hole, which compromises the panel's integrity.

Innovation Solution

A cabin front wall structure featuring separate accelerator and brake brackets positioned on opposite sides of the steering column hole, connected by a reinforcement member that extends along the dash panel, enhancing the panel's strength and incorporating a dash brace that overlaps with the brackets to provide additional reinforcement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an integrated accelerator and brake bracket is used to improve dash panel versatility, then the dash panel can be commonly used among vehicles with different pedal locations, but the bracket cannot sufficiently reinforce the dash panel around the steering column hole

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedash panel versatilityVSAvoiddash panel strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the bracket system into separate accelerator bracket and brake bracket components positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows each bracket to independently reinforce specific areas of the dash panel, particularly around the steering column hole, while maintaining versatility across different vehicle configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a reinforcement member that extends in the vehicle width direction, adding a dimensional element that spans across the steering column hole area. This reinforcement member works in conjunction with the separately positioned brackets to provide comprehensive structural support without compromising dash panel versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the steering column through hole is provided in the dash panel to accommodate the steering column, then the steering function is enabled, but the strength of the dash panel around the through hole decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesteering operationVSAvoiddash panel strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local reinforcement by positioning the accelerator bracket on one side of the steering column hole and the brake bracket on the other side. This localized bracket placement针对性地 reinforces the specific areas around the hole without adding unnecessary complexity to the overall dash panel design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement member extending in the vehicle width direction creates a structural bridge across the steering column hole area, distributing loads and reinforcing the dash panel in the region where the steering column passes through, thereby compensating for the strength reduction caused by the hole.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3599530B1Cabin front wall structure of vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
  • EP3599530B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3599530B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3599530B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cabin front wall structure of a vehicle includes a dash panel (10) constituting a front wall of a cabin of a vehicle, an accelerator bracket (32) attached to the dash panel (10), and used for mounting an accelerator pedal, a brake bracket (30) attached to the dash panel (10) at a position spaced from the accelerator bracket (32) in a vehicle width direction, and used for mounting a brake pedal; and a brace (connection member) (34) extending along a surface of the dash panel (10) and configured to connect the accelerator bracket (32) with the brake bracket (30).