Modular Dashboard Support Crosspiece for Vehicle Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle dashboard support systems struggle to effectively manage vibrations and noise across different vehicle models, particularly those with electric drives and internal combustion engines, requiring a modular solution that balances rigidity and lightness while minimizing modifications.

Innovation Solution

A support crosspiece with a tubular beam and a stiffening structure featuring a coaxial outer casing, damping elements, and a reinforcing core, which is modularly designed to be installed on both electric and combustion engine vehicles, enhancing rigidity and damping vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a support crosspiece is designed with high rigidity to reduce vibrations and noise in internal combustion engine vehicles, then vibration damping performance is improved, but the weight and complexity of the component increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibrations and noiseVSAvoidweight of support crosspiece
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support crosspiece is divided into a modular structure consisting of a base crosspiece and an optional stiffening structure that can be separately installed. This segmentation allows the vehicle manufacturer to choose the appropriate configuration based on the specific vehicle model's vibration requirements, without unnecessarily increasing weight on all vehicles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support crosspiece design allows for dynamic configuration where the stiffening structure can be selectively added or removed based on the vehicle type. Electric vehicle models use the lighter base configuration, while internal combustion engine models use the enhanced stiffened configuration, optimizing weight for each application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the support crosspiece is designed with model-specific modifications to optimize performance for different vehicle types, then vibration control is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibrations and noiseVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The base support crosspiece is designed as a universal component that can be used across all vehicle models. The optional stiffening structure serves multiple functions by being adaptable to different vehicle types, allowing the same basic component design to serve both electric and internal combustion engine vehicles with minimal modification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a preliminary base crosspiece design that is optimized for electric vehicles, and provides a standardized stiffening structure that can be pre-fabricated and optionally added for internal combustion engine models. This preliminary action reduces manufacturing complexity by establishing a common platform before model-specific adaptations are needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If a stiffer support crosspiece structure is used to reduce dashboard vibrations, then structural rigidity is improved, but the adjustment range of the steering column is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural rigidityVSAvoidsteering column adjustment range
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The stiffening structure is applied locally to specific portions of the support crosspiece where vibration control is most needed, rather than making the entire structure uniformly stiff. This localized approach maintains structural rigidity in critical areas while preserving flexibility and adjustment range in other areas where steering column movement is required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 provides a cost-effective and adaptable means to reduce vibrations and noise, particularly in vehicles with internal combustion engines, while maintaining a lightweight and compact design that simplifies installation and adjustment of the steering column.

Implementation Method 1

damping elements (30)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP3552929B1Motor vehicle provided with a support crosspiece, in particular for the support of a dashboard, and method for configuring a support crosspiece in different models of motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 FCA ITALY SPA
  • EP3552929B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3552929B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3552929B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A motor vehicle (1) is provided with a support crosspiece (7) having a beam (10) and a stiffening structure (21) coupled in a fixed position to an intermediate portion of the beam (10); the stiffening structure (21) has a casing (23) at least partially surrounding the intermediate portion (13a), and a core (32) radially arranged between the intermediate portion (13a) and the casing (23).