Vehicle Dashboard Instrument Panel With Sliding Accessory Slot
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dashboard-and-instrument panel units for vehicles lack innovative functionalities that enhance user safety and are not cost-effectively designed to provide clear, intuitive signaling for driver and passenger information.
Innovation Solution
A dashboard-and-instrument panel unit with a light source forming an endless peripheral edge for signaling vehicle status, including brake activation, turn signal indication, and proximity alerts, along with a customizable design for external indicia to display taxi or public transportation status, and a sliding mechanism for securing electronic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional dashboard-and-instrument panel units are used, then the construction remains simple and inexpensive, but the functionalities are limited and do not provide enhanced user safety or intuitive signaling
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument panel body is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a structural support for instruments, incorporates an integrated light source for signaling vehicle status (brakes, turn signals, proximity alerts), and provides a platform for external indicia display. This multi-functionality enhances adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source is integrated directly into the instrument panel body structure, merging the signaling function with the structural component. This eliminates the need for separate signaling devices and reduces overall system complexity while expanding functionality.
2Loss of information
If no light source is integrated into the instrument panel, then the construction remains simple, but clear and intuitive signaling for driver and passenger information is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The light source acts as an intermediary between the vehicle's operational systems (brakes, turn signals, proximity sensors) and the user (driver/passenger). It translates internal vehicle status into visible external signals, reducing information loss without requiring complex display systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source can change color or illumination patterns to convey different information states (e.g., red for brake activation, yellow for turn signals, green for proximity alerts). This provides intuitive information signaling through a simple optical mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the instrument panel lacks external indicia capability, then the construction remains simple, but customizable functionality for taxi or public transportation status display is not available
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument panel body is pre-configured with indicia areas and light source integration during manufacturing, allowing customizable functionality (such as taxi status display) to be activated later through software or simple physical configuration rather than requiring complex manufacturing changes.
4Reliability
If existing dashboard solutions are used, then manufacturing costs remain low, but innovative functionalities that enhance user safety are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The light source provides immediate visual feedback to the user about vehicle status (brake activation, turn signal operation, proximity detection). This enhances user safety by ensuring awareness of critical vehicle operations through intuitive optical signals integrated into the familiar instrument panel location.
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
Enhances user safety through intuitive lighting cues and customizable functionality, while maintaining a simple and cost-effective construction suitable for various vehicle types.
Implementation Method 1
the body (8) of the instrument panel has around its front surface a light source (13) in the form of a peripheral endless edge
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A dashboard-and-instrument panel unit (5) for a motor-vehicle, comprises a dashboard (1) including a dashboard structure (2) and an instrument panel supported above the dashboard structure (2) and configured to receive an accessory member, such as a cellular phone, a smartphone, a tablet or the like. The instrument panel is configured as an autonomous unit, supported in an elevated position spaced apart from the structure (2) of the dashboard (1) by means of a supporting arm (3,30) which projects upwardly from the dashboard structure (2). The instrument panel includes a horizontally elongated body (8), having a main portion (9) and one end portion (10) horizontally slidable with respect to the main portion (9), between a first position adjacent to the main portion (9) and a second position longitudinally spaced from the main portion (9), in which second position, between the main portion (9) and the end portion (10), a space is defined which is configured to accommodate said accessory member.