Dashboard Support Bar With Removable Mounts for Flexible Accessory Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle storage solutions in the passenger compartment, such as glove boxes and air vent mounts, limit the accessibility and usability of objects during journeys, particularly in vehicles with driver assistance modes, and often detract from the vehicle's aesthetic quality.

Innovation Solution

A support assembly with a transverse reception bar above the dashboard, equipped with removable support devices and integrated power supply and ground strips, allowing flexible object placement and electrical connectivity for various accessories.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If added support devices are mounted on the dashboard or air vents, then object storage capability is improved, but the aesthetic quality and integration into vehicle interior deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject storage capabilityVSAvoidaesthetic quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The support device is merged with the vehicle's existing air conditioning vent structure, making the support function integrated into the vehicle's original design rather than an added accessory. This integration eliminates the aesthetic conflict by combining storage capability with the vehicle's interior architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The air conditioning vent structure serves multiple functions: it provides climate control and simultaneously supports objects through the integrated support device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate storage devices, improving aesthetics while maintaining storage capability.

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

2Quantity of substance

If support devices are added to increase storage capacity, then the number of available objects increases, but the device complexity and visual clutter increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of available objectsVSAvoidvisual clutter
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple support functions are merged into a single integrated structure mounted on the air vent. The support device includes a main body, mounting bracket, and multiple support surfaces that can hold various objects simultaneously, reducing visual clutter while increasing storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support device is segmented into functional components (mounting bracket, main body, support surfaces) that can be configured to hold different types of objects. This segmentation allows versatile storage capability within a compact, organized structure that minimizes visual clutter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If removable support devices are installed on the dashboard, then flexibility in object positioning is improved, but the integration and aesthetic quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in object positioningVSAvoidintegration quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The removable support device is merged with the air conditioning vent structure through a mounting bracket that utilizes the vent's existing geometry. This integration maintains aesthetic quality while the removable nature of the device preserves flexibility in object positioning and device reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4320015B1Object support device for a motor vehicle dashboard
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP4320015B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4320015B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4320015B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a support assembly (1) for a motor vehicle passenger compartment. The support assembly (1) comprises at least one support device (200; 300; 400; 500) including support means (210; 310; 410; 510) for at least one object or accessory, and is characterised in that it also comprises a rigid reception bar (100) having a tubular body (110) and being intended to extend transversely along and above the dashboard (2) of said vehicle, each of said at least one support devices (200; 300; 400; 500) further comprising attachment means (220) enabling it to be removably mounted on said reception bar (100).