Modular Vehicle Cockpit Layout for Removable Passenger Side Module
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) structures to replace cowl cross bars in vehicles increases manufacturing costs, limiting mass production due to the characteristics of CFRP, and existing cockpit modules are not adaptable to vehicles where the front passenger seat is not occupied, leading to unnecessary convenience parts and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A modular vehicle cockpit module design that separates the cockpit into a main module for the driver seat and a side module for the front passenger seat, allowing these modules to be coupled or decoupled based on vehicle purpose, utilizing the side module's space as storage when not needed, and integrating air conditioning and wiring systems efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a side module for the front passenger seat is always assembled, then passenger convenience and safety are ensured, but vehicle cost increases and storage space is reduced when the passenger seat is not occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The cockpit module is segmented into a main module (containing driver seat, center fascia, and vehicle control parts) and a separate side module (containing front passenger seat convenience and safety parts). This segmentation allows the side module to be selectively assembled or separated based on whether the front passenger seat is occupied, enabling cost optimization and storage space utilization without compromising passenger safety when needed.
2Volume of stationary object
If the side module is separated to create storage space, then storage capacity increases, but passenger convenience and safety parts are unavailable when the passenger seat is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The side module is designed to be dynamically configurable - it can be assembled when the front passenger seat is occupied to provide convenience and safety parts, or separated when the passenger seat is not occupied to create storage space. This dynamic configuration allows the vehicle to adapt to different usage scenarios, maximizing both storage capacity and passenger comfort/safety as needed.
3Weight of moving object
If CFRP structures are used to replace cowl cross bars, then vehicle weight is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases and mass production is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cowl cross bar structure is segmented and integrated into the modular cockpit design, where the main module and side module can be manufactured separately using cost-effective materials and assembly methods. This segmentation allows for mass production of standardized modules while maintaining weight reduction benefits, avoiding the high costs associated with CFRP manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle cockpit module assembled to a front area of the interior of a vehicle, the vehicle cockpit module including a main module composed of a driver module corresponding to a driver seat and a center module disposed at a center of the vehicle, and comprising vehicle control parts, driver seat convenience parts, and driver seat safety parts, and a side module configured to be assembled to or separated from a side of the main module corresponding to a front passenger seat, and comprising front passenger seat convenience parts and front passenger seat safety parts, wherein the side module is configured to be connected to a front part of a vehicle body and a side end of the main module when assembled, and a space in which the side module previously existed is utilized as a storage space, in response to the side module being separated.