Instrument Panel Restraining Device for Crash Energy Dissipation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle assembly designs fail to effectively limit relative movement between the instrument panel and vehicle components during accidents, leading to excessive deformation and potential harm to occupants due to the formation of sharp edges and inadequate energy dissipation.

Innovation Solution

A restraining device is integrated into the motor vehicle assembly to limit the relative movement between the instrument panel and vehicle components to a predefined maximum value, utilizing deformation components such as malleable sheet metal, fabric, or spring elements to dissipate crash energy and prevent unwanted deformation, thereby ensuring maximum safety for occupants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the instrument panel is allowed to deform freely during an accident to absorb energy, then energy dissipation is improved, but the formation of sharp edges and excessive deformation occurs which harms occupants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrash energy dissipationVSAvoidsharp edges formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a restraining device with a deformation component positioned between the instrument panel and the vehicle component before the accident occurs. This deformation component is designed to deform in a controlled manner during collision, absorbing energy while preventing the instrument panel from forming sharp edges or excessive deformations that would harm occupants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The deformation component acts as an intermediary element between the instrument panel and the vehicle component. It mediates the force transmission during accident, allowing controlled deformation to dissipate energy while restraining the instrument panel from deforming into harmful configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the instrument panel is directly supported by vehicle components, then structural stability is improved, but energy dissipation capability is reduced due to inadequate elasticity exploitation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcrash energy dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented into multiple components: the vehicle component, the deformation component, and the instrument panel. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the vehicle component provides structural stability, the deformation component dissipates energy through controlled deformation, and the instrument panel maintains its form factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The deformation component is pre-positioned between the instrument panel and vehicle component to provide cushioning during accident. It is designed to deform in a controlled manner, exploiting elasticity to dissipate crash energy while maintaining structural stability through its connection to both components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If no restraining device is provided, then device complexity is reduced, but occupant safety is compromised due to uncontrolled panel deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly complexityVSAvoidoccupant safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The deformation component can be implemented as a flexible element (such as a flexible membrane or thin-walled structure) that deforms in a controlled manner during accident. This flexible component adds minimal complexity to the assembly while providing crucial safety function by preventing uncontrolled panel deformation that would harm occupants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution effectively prevents the formation of sharp edges and maximizes occupant safety by controlling relative movement and dissipating crash energy, ensuring the instrument panel does not buckle or deform excessively, maintaining the desired deployment direction of airbag devices and enhancing overall passenger cell protection.

Implementation Method 1

a restraining device (30) configured to limit a relative movement between at least a panel section (16) of the instrument panel (12) and a vehicle component (62) to a predefined maximum value in a movement direction towards an interior space (66) of a passenger cell (64) of the motor vehicle (60), when a force is transmitted between the instrument panel (12) and the vehicle component (62) as a result of an accident that causes deformation of the instrument panel (12)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeformation: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS10308202B2Instrument panel and restraining device assembly for a motor vehicle, and motor vehicle with such an assembly

Publication Date: 2019.06.04 AUDI AG

AI summary

An assembly for a motor vehicle includes an instrument panel and a restraining device which is configured to limit a relative movement between at least a panel section of the instrument panel and a vehicle component of the motor vehicle to a predefined maximum value in a movement direction towards an interior space of a passenger cell of the motor vehicle, when a force is transmitted between the instrument panel and the vehicle component as a result of an accident that causes deformation of the instrument panel.