Dash Cluster Bezel Housing Interlocking Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for securing and interconnecting display modules on power equipment dash clusters are costly due to the need for customer-specific tooling and snap wings, which can result in loose or weakened connections due to tolerance lapses in molding or panel thickness.
Innovation Solution
A modular dash cluster system with a bezel and housing featuring asymmetrically located connectors that interlock to secure the bezel to the housing, eliminating the need for customer-specific tooling and snap wings, allowing for flexible and versatile attachment without compromising connection strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If customer-specific tooling and snap wings are used to secure display modules, then the display modules can be individually installed and secured to the dash panel, but the tooling costs become expensive and connections can become loose or weakened due to tolerance lapses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized housing with integrated connecting assemblies that can be used across multiple display module configurations. Instead of creating custom tooling for each customer application, the same housing design with standardized connectors serves multiple purposes and configurations, reducing tooling costs while maintaining reliable connections through consistent manufacturing tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the connecting function directly into the housing structure by integrating connecting assemblies within the housing itself. This eliminates the need for separate snap wings and custom tooling, as the housing incorporates the attachment mechanism, thereby reducing part count, tooling requirements, and potential failure points while maintaining connection reliability
2Manufacturing precision
If custom display modules with specified dash panel openings are used, then each module can be precisely fitted, but the molding and sizing must be customized for each application increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized housing design with integrated connecting assemblies serves multiple configurations and applications without requiring custom tooling. The universal housing can accommodate different display module types while maintaining precise fit through consistent manufacturing standards, reducing molding complexity across the product line
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is segmented into functional components including the main housing body and integrated connecting assemblies. This segmentation allows the connecting function to be independently optimized while the housing maintains standardized dimensions for precise fitting, separating the precision requirement from the customization requirement
Data Source
AI summary
A dash cluster system and a method for securing and/or interconnecting a dash cluster to power equipment. The dash cluster system includes a housing having a connecting assembly including at least one peripheral connector positioned along a peripheral surface of the housing. The dash cluster system further comprises a bezel having a front side and a rear side. The bezel also comprises a connecting arrangement formed from at least one extending connector, extending from the rear side. The dash cluster system also comprises a securing connection formed between the housing and the bezel by the interlocking of the peripheral connector of the connecting assembly with the extending connector of the connecting arrangement.