In-Vehicle Display Panel Breakaway Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

In-vehicle display apparatuses with protruding display panels pose safety risks during impacts, as they can break off and expose sharp edges or fragments inside the vehicle, potentially harming occupants.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a support board with a readily breakable portion and spring members that allow the display panel to retract upon impact, using a stretchable sheet and protection sheet to prevent exposure and ensure safe retraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the display panel protrudes from the opening in an erect position for use, then the display panel is accessible and viewable by occupants, but the display panel may break off due to impact and expose sharp edges or fragments inside the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay panel accessibilityVSAvoidimpact injury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support board is divided into two parts by a readily breakable portion, allowing the display panel to separate from the movable body upon impact. This segmentation enables the display panel to be retained by the stretchable sheet while the movable body retracts, preventing exposed fragments while maintaining accessibility during normal use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A stretchable sheet is introduced as an intermediary element between the display panel and the movable body. This stretchable sheet retains the display panel after the readily breakable portion breaks, preventing the display panel from becoming a harmful fragment while allowing the movable body to retract into the opening

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the movable body is designed to retract into the opening for safety, then occupant safety is improved, but the display panel becomes inaccessible when not in use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoccupant safetyVSAvoiddisplay panel accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic reconfigurable state. The movable body can move between protruding and retracted positions, while the stretchable sheet dynamically adjusts its tension to either support the display panel in an erect position or retain it during retraction, providing both accessibility and safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If the support board is made strong to prevent breaking, then structural integrity is maintained, but the display panel and movable body may fly apart upon impact causing harm

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport board structural integrityVSAvoidfragment flying risk
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The support board has different mechanical properties at different locations: the main body maintains high strength for structural integrity, while the readily breakable portion has reduced strength to allow controlled breaking. This local quality differentiation prevents catastrophic failure while enabling safe separation and retention of the display panel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

This configuration enhances occupant safety by ensuring the display panel retracts and avoids exposure, preventing injuries from broken fragments and maintaining a safe interior environment.

Implementation Method 1

a spring member which is disposed so as to cross the readily breakable portion... the spring member hooked on the movable body so as to cross the readily breakable portion is stretched. Consequently, the display panel, which has fallen forward, instantaneously returns to an erect position upon receiving the spring force of the spring member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2676847B1In-vehicle display apparatus
Publication Date: 2016.01.06 ALPINE ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP2676847B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2676847B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2676847B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an in-vehicle display apparatus in which a support board (5) holding a display panel (8) has a readily breakable portion (5b). When an occupant hits his/her head against the display panel (8) protruding from an opening (1a) of an installation member (1), the support board (5) falls forward and breaks off along the readily breakable portion (5b). End portions of a helical extension spring (11) disposed behind the display panel (8) are hooked on two regions separated by the readily breakable portion (5b) (an upper area (S1) of the support board (5) and a sheet receivable portion (6a) of the base portion (6)). Since the helical extension spring (11) is stretched while being hooked on the upper area (S1), the support board (5) and the display panel (8) that have fallen forward are instantaneously brought back to the erect position upon receiving the spring force of the helical extension spring (11).