Universal Dashboard Tooling with Movable Anchoring

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for assembling vehicle dashboards outside manufacturing lines are costly due to the need for multiple tools for different vehicle models and air conditioning units, leading to high equipment costs and limited manufacturing flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A dashboard preparation tool with movable and removable anchoring devices for air conditioning units and crossmembers, featuring retractable docking portions and a rotating structure, allowing easy adaptation between different models and configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple specific tools are used for different vehicle models and air conditioning units, then manufacturing precision and model-specific requirements are met, but equipment costs and device complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodel-specific assembly precisionVSAvoidnumber of different tools required
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dashboard preparation tooling is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple vehicle models and air conditioning unit types through removable crossmember anchoring devices and mobile air conditioner anchoring devices. The chassis receives different crossmembers, and the movable arms with retractable docking portions can be configured for various air conditioning models, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated tools while maintaining model-specific assembly precision

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

Solution Approach 2:

The tooling incorporates mobile arms that can move relative to the chassis and retractable docking portions that can extend or retract to receive different air conditioning models. This dynamic configuration allows the same physical tooling to adapt to different assembly requirements without requiring separate fixed tools for each model

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If dedicated tooling is developed for each dashboard model, then assembly quality and model specificity are ensured, but manufacturing costs and equipment investment increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedashboard assembly qualityVSAvoidtooling manufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single universal dashboard preparation tooling platform is designed to handle multiple dashboard models through configurable components. The removable crossmember anchoring devices and mobile air conditioner anchoring devices with retractable docking portions allow the same base tooling to be reconfigured for different models, significantly reducing the need for multiple dedicated tools and lowering overall manufacturing costs

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

Solution Approach 2:

The tooling is segmented into modular components including the chassis, removable crossmember anchoring devices, and mobile air conditioner anchoring devices. This segmentation allows individual components to be adjusted or replaced while keeping the base structure, enabling cost-effective adaptation to different models without requiring complete tooling sets for each variant

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If fixed anchoring devices are used for each model, then assembly stability and reliability are maintained, but adaptability and switching between models become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly stabilityVSAvoidmodel switching capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring devices are designed to be mobile rather than fixed, with air conditioner anchoring devices that can move along the movable arms and crossmember anchoring devices that can be removed and repositioned. This dynamic design maintains assembly stability during each specific assembly operation while enabling easy reconfiguration and switching between different dashboard models

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tooling allows for preliminary configuration of the anchoring devices according to the specific model being assembled. The crossmember anchoring devices can be pre-positioned and secured to the chassis, and the mobile air conditioner anchoring devices can be pre-configured on the movable arms, ensuring assembly stability is established before the actual assembly begins while maintaining the ability to reconfigure for different models

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3423337B1Equipment for preparing dashboards
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3423337B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3423337B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3423337B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Equipment for preparing dashboards, comprising: - a frame, - at least one cross-member anchoring device, - a first arm that is movable with respect to the frame with at least one first air-conditioner anchoring device, - a second arm that is movable with respect to the frame with at least one second air-conditioner anchoring device, wherein: - said at least one first air-conditioner anchoring device is mounted in a movable manner with respect to the first movable arm, - said at least one second air-conditioner anchoring device is mounted in a movable manner with respect to the second movable arm, - said at least one cross-member anchoring device is removable from the frame.