Instrument panel structure

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing instrument panel structures for vehicles often compromise on air-conditioning efficiency and design aesthetics, as air outlets are typically located on the upper surface, failing to effectively supply air-conditioned air to occupants in the driver's and front passenger seats and detracting from the panel's visual appeal.

Innovation Solution

An instrument panel structure featuring a lower panel with an integrated air-conditioning device and a slit-shaped air outlet between the lower and upper panels, which extends in the vehicle width direction to effectively supply air-conditioned air to the seats, while the upper panel is designed to be detachable for maintenance and incorporates flow-directing plates to enhance air flow efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the air outlet is formed in the upper surface of the instrument panel, then the air outlet can be positioned in a conspicuous location, but the air-conditioned air cannot be effectively supplied to occupants in the driver's seat and front passenger seat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair-conditioning efficiencyVSAvoiddesign attractiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional location of the air outlet from the upper surface to the lower surface of the instrument panel. Specifically, the air outlet is formed in the lower panel at a position lower than the center line of the instrument panel in the vehicle up-down direction, allowing air-conditioned air to be effectively supplied to occupants while maintaining design aesthetics by hiding the outlet in a less conspicuous position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If the air outlet is formed in the upper surface of the instrument panel, then the structure is simple, but the visual quality of the instrument panel is diminished

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidvisual quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional location of the air outlet from the upper surface to the lower surface of the instrument panel. Specifically, the air outlet is formed in the lower panel at a position lower than the center line of the instrument panel in the vehicle up-down direction, allowing air-conditioned air to be effectively supplied to occupants while maintaining design aesthetics by hiding the outlet in a less conspicuous position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the air outlet extends in the vehicle width direction facing the seat side, then the air-conditioned air can be effectively supplied to occupants, but the air outlet becomes more visible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair supply effectivenessVSAvoidoutlet visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional location of the air outlet from the upper surface to the lower surface of the instrument panel. Specifically, the air outlet is formed in the lower panel at a position lower than the center line of the instrument panel in the vehicle up-down direction, allowing air-conditioned air to be effectively supplied to occupants while maintaining design aesthetics by hiding the outlet in a less conspicuous position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 improves air-conditioning efficiency by effectively distributing air to the driver and front passenger seats, reduces air loss, maintains air supply integrity, and enhances the panel's design attractiveness by minimizing the visibility of the air outlet.

Implementation Method 1

air-conditioned air generated by the air-conditioning device is supplied via the open portion and the air outlet portion to the cabin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir flow:

Data Source

PatentUS11370273B2Instrument panel structure

Publication Date: 2022.06.28 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

Provided is an instrument panel structure including: a lower panel portion that is provided with an air-conditioning device at an interior thereof, the lower panel portion having, in a vehicle upper portion thereof, a placement surface portion that extends in a vehicle width direction and a vehicle front-rear direction, and having an open portion, for the air-conditioning device, that opens toward a side of the placement surface portion; an upper panel portion that covers the placement surface portion as seen from a vehicle upper side and that is placed on the placement surface portion; and a slit-shaped air outlet portion that is formed between the lower panel portion and the upper panel portion, that extends in the vehicle width direction while facing a seat side, and that communicates the open portion with a vehicle cabin.