Glove Box Assembly Knee Impact Force Transfer Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional glove box assemblies in vehicles fail to effectively transfer and distribute impact forces from a passenger's knees during a collision, leading to unsatisfactory deformation and redirection of forces, which can result in inadequate injury protection.
Innovation Solution
A glove box assembly with a three-dimensional recessed component mounted within the vehicle dash/instrument panel assembly, featuring structural projections and removable ribs that transfer forces to a laterally extending reinforcing bar, balancing counter-forces from airbags and lower body forces, and adjusting crash safety characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If conventional bracket structures are used to transfer impact forces, then force transfer is attempted, but additional hardware installation is required and force deformation results are unsatisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing bar is integrated directly into the instrument panel structure, merging the support function with the panel assembly. This eliminates the need for separate bracket structures while maintaining effective force transfer capabilities from the glove box to the vehicle frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing bar serves as an intermediary structural element between the glove box assembly and the vehicle frame. It mediates the force transfer by providing a dedicated load path that distributes impact forces to multiple attachment points without requiring additional brackets or hardware.
2Force
If the glove box assembly is made more rigid to improve force transfer, then force transfer capability improves, but controlled deformation during impact is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument panel assembly exhibits varying rigidity at different locations. The reinforcing bar provides localized structural support at critical force transfer points while allowing other areas to deform controllably. This gradient in structural properties enables both effective force transfer and controlled deformation during impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure transitions from a static rigid assembly to a dynamic system that adapts its stiffness characteristics during impact. The reinforcing bar allows the assembly to exhibit controlled deformation behavior, transforming the rigid structure into one that can dynamically absorb and redirect impact forces through progressive deformation.
3Reliability
If structural projections are added to transfer forces to the reinforcing bar, then crash safety improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The force transfer function is segmented into multiple discrete attachment points along the reinforcing bar. Rather than requiring a complex continuous connection, the structure uses multiple simplified attachment locations that collectively provide robust crash safety while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing bar serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the glove box assembly, acts as a force transfer mechanism during impact, and distributes loads to multiple vehicle frame attachment points. This multi-functionality achieves improved crash safety without adding dedicated specialized components.
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 design effectively distributes impact forces away from the occupant, providing controlled deformation and improved crash safety by transferring significant loads to non-critical vehicle locations, thereby reducing the risk of injury during frontal collisions.
Implementation Method 1
Upon experiencing forward directed forces, associated with the passenger's knees impacting a door of the glove box, these forces are initially transferred to the surrounding and supporting instrument panel structure. Additional forwardly directed impact forces are transferred from extending structural portions associated with the glove box inner receptacle
Implementation Method 2
Additional forwardly directed impact forces are transferred from extending structural portions associated with the glove box inner receptacle, upon the same being forwardly deformed into abutting contact with the vehicle's laterally extending structural reinforcing bar
Implementation Method 3
A plurality of ribs are secured along a top surface of the inner receptacle, at locations associated with each of a plurality of individually configured and spaced apart structural projections. The ribs are also envisioned to be removable, such as by selectively and resistively fitting into slots or channels defined in the top surface of the receptacle, and in order to adjust the crash safety characteristics of the inner receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
A glove box assembly incorporated into a vehicle instrument panel, along which extends a reinforcing bar. A three-dimensional and interiorly open receptacle is fixedly mounted within the instrument panel. The receptacle includes integrally formed structural projections extending from a rear side thereof and in a direction towards the reinforcing bar. A plurality of ribs are attached to the receptacle proximate the projections and in order to adjust a deformation characteristic of the receptacle. A bin secures within said glove box receptacle and includes a door exposed to adjoining surfaces of the instrument panel. Upon experiencing a collision event resulting in a passenger's knees impacting the door, inward deformation of the receptacle transfers forces both to the instrument panel and through deforming the reinforcing bar.