Vehicle Display Mount With Energy-Attenuating Crash Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicle displays mounted on dashboards, particularly those not behind the steering wheel, are more prone to being struck during crashes due to their centralized location, leading to increased risk of injury from impact forces.
Innovation Solution
An energy attenuating display mount system that includes an instrument panel support, a display mount, and an energy attenuating fastener with a coil spring and travel limiter, allowing for relative movement and absorbing impact forces through a threaded section and biasing member, which mitigates contact forces during crashes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the display is mounted in a centralized location on the dashboard, then the display provides better visibility and access to information, but the display becomes more prone to being struck by drivers or passengers during a crash event
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system transitions from a fixed rigid connection to a dynamic system with controlled movement. The fastener allows the display to move forward a controlled distance during impact, absorbing energy through the deformation of the fastener body and the compression of the spring, thereby reducing the harmful impact forces transmitted to occupants.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring component is pre-loaded to provide cushioning force before impact occurs. During normal operation, the spring maintains a compressed state ready to absorb energy. When impact occurs, the pre-loaded spring immediately engages to cushion the display's forward movement, reducing the peak impact forces.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid mounting system is used to securely attach the display, then the display remains stable during normal operation, but the display transmits full impact forces to occupants during a crash
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the mechanical parameters of the mounting connection. During normal operation, the fastener maintains a rigid connection with high stability. During impact, the fastener's structural parameters change as it deforms and allows movement, transitioning from a rigid force-transmitting connection to an energy-absorbing compliant connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastener acts as an intermediary element between the display and the dashboard. It provides a stable mounting connection during normal operation while simultaneously serving as an energy-absorbing mechanism during impact, mediating between the need for stability and the need for impact mitigation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the display mount allows movement to reduce impact forces, then the display is protected during crashes, but the display may become loose or unstable during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is pre-loaded to exert a continuous compressive force on the display, counteracting any tendencies for the display to become loose or unstable during normal operation. This preliminary anti-action ensures the display remains firmly mounted while still allowing controlled movement when impact forces exceed the spring's resistance.
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
The system effectively reduces the impact forces transmitted to the display and occupants by allowing the display to move forward during a crash, thereby minimizing injury and damage.
Implementation Method 1
an energy attenuating fastener with a coil spring and travel limiter, allowing for relative movement and absorbing impact forces
Data Source
AI summary
An energy attenuating vehicle display mount includes an instrument panel support mounted to a dashboard, an instrument panel support bracket coupled to the instrument panel support, a display mount coupled to the instrument panel support bracket, and an energy attenuating fastener connecting the display mount to the instrument panel support bracket. The energy attenuating fastener accommodates movement of the display mount relative to the instrument panel support bracket.