Dashboard Support Assembly with Four-Bar Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable electronic devices attached to vehicle windshields via suction cups often detach undesirably, compromising visibility and require a universal support that fits various device shapes and sizes without modifying the dashboard.
Innovation Solution
A support and retention assembly integrated into the vehicle dashboard with a moveable support member that can extend for device mounting, featuring a four-bar linkage, toggle lever, and adjustable clamp system to securely hold devices of different sizes and orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a suction cup is used to attach the portable electronic device to the windscreen, then the device can be mounted on the windscreen, but the coupling is subject to undesired releases and may compromise external visibility through the windscreen
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is extracted from the dashboard structure and made moveable, allowing it to be retracted into the dashboard when not in use. This extraction eliminates the visibility blockage problem while maintaining the ability to provide support when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is designed to be moveable between retracted and extended positions through a four-bar linkage mechanism. This dynamic configuration allows the support to adapt between providing visibility (retracted) and providing support (extended), resolving the contradiction between visibility and retention security.
2Shape
If the support member is integrated into the dashboard structure, then the external appearance of the dashboard is preserved, but the support must be moveable to provide adequate mounting space
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed to be moveable between retracted and extended positions through a four-bar linkage mechanism. This dynamic configuration allows the support to adapt between providing visibility (retracted) and providing support (extended), resolving the contradiction between visibility and retention security.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system is segmented into multiple independent components: the dashboard structure, the moveable support member, the clamp assembly, and the four-bar linkage mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall integration, reducing the complexity burden.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a universal support is designed to accommodate electronic devices of different shapes and sizes, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly is designed with adjustable positioning along the support member and can accommodate devices of various shapes and sizes. The clamp's ability to adjust its position and orientation provides universal compatibility without requiring multiple different support structures, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is designed to be adjustable along the support member and can be positioned at different locations to accommodate devices of different sizes. This dynamic adjustability provides universality without requiring complex fixed structures for each device type.
Data Source
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Figure 4~7
Figure 5
AI summary
A support and retention assembly (5) for a portable electronic device (12) has a support member (6) with a front surface (7) which defines a rest surface; the support member (6) is connected to a structure (2) of a dashboard (1) so as to able to be moved between a retracted position and an extended position, in which it is locked by means of releasable locking devices (25,16); the assembly is provided with a rest element (42) which projects from the front surface (7) at a lower end of the support member (6) and a clamp which is arranged over the rest element (42) and may rotate upwards about a horizontal axis (36) starting from a stowed position, in which at least part of the clamp (35) is housed in a seat (33) made in the front surface (7).