Vehicle Dashboard Trim Element With Movable Structural Components

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing deformable trim elements, such as vehicle dashboards, face challenges in achieving uniform rigidity and feel across their surface, particularly when inflated, leading to unsatisfactory support and appearance modifications.

Innovation Solution

A trim element design featuring movable first and second elements with a skin covering, allowing for deformation of the outer surface while maintaining consistent rigidity and feel, utilizing a control system to adjust the shape between configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If inflatable elements are used to deform the outer surface, then the shape of the outer surface can be modified, but the rigidity of the outer surface becomes non-uniform and unsatisfactory

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveouter surface shapeVSAvoidouter surface rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs movable elements that can dynamically adjust their positions relative to each other to deform the outer surface. Unlike static inflatable elements, these movable elements maintain consistent rigidity while enabling shape modification through controlled movement, resolving the contradiction between shape adaptability and rigidity uniformity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the pneumatic inflation system with a mechanical movement system. Instead of using gas pressure to deform the surface (which creates rigidity variations), the patent uses controlled mechanical movement of elements to achieve shape modification while preserving uniform rigidity characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Shape

If the outer surface is made deformable using pneumatic elements, then shape modification is achieved, but the feel of the outer surface becomes non-uniform

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveouter surface shapeVSAvoidouter surface feel uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The movable elements provide dynamic shape adjustment while maintaining consistent surface characteristics. The elements move in a coordinated manner that preserves uniform feel across the entire outer surface, unlike pneumatic systems that create localized rigidity variations affecting tactile uniformity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Shape

If inflatable elements are used to create raised zones, then support surface position can be modified, but the desired rigidity cannot be obtained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport surface positionVSAvoidsupport surface rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The movable elements enable dynamic repositioning of support surfaces through controlled movement. The elements maintain their rigidity characteristics during movement, allowing support surfaces to be repositioned while preserving the necessary rigidity for adequate support functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10723285B2Trim element comprising a deformable outer surface and associated vehicle

Publication Date: 2020.07.28 FAURECIA INTERIEUR IND

AI summary

A dashboard of a vehicle has a structure that includes at least one first element and at least one second element, and a skin covering at least part of the first element and the second element. The structure and the skin together define an outer surface of the dashboard. The first element and the second element are able to be moved relative to one another, with the movement causing a deformation of the outer surface of the dashboard.