Modular Vehicle Cockpit with Replaceable Technology Carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle cockpit designs are cumbersome and costly to update with the latest electronic components, requiring extensive alterations and tooling changes, making it time-consuming and expensive to adapt or exchange components, especially in response to rapid advancements in electronics.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of interchangeable technology-carriers, extending between 60% to 90% of the vehicle cockpit's width, which can be easily updated or exchanged using a multi-hook quick-acting closure system, allowing for independent or simultaneous updates without additional tooling or assembly costs, and are preferably made from single materials for cost-effective recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle cockpit is constructed from many individual components to allow electronic upgrades, then the adaptability to latest electronics is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument panel is divided into modular subassemblies (upper part, lower part, center console) that can be independently updated. The technology carrier is segmented to accommodate different electronic components while maintaining a standardized interface with the instrument panel structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The technology carrier is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate multiple types of electronic components (display elements, control elements, air vents) through standardized mounting structures, allowing different configurations without redesigning the entire instrument panel.
2Adaptability or versatility
If extensive alterations are made to accommodate differently shaped electronic components, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The technology carrier incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable mounting structures that can adapt to different component shapes and sizes through movable elements and adjustable fastening mechanisms, eliminating the need for custom tooling for each component variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting parameters of the technology carrier (position, orientation, spacing) are designed to be variable within certain ranges, allowing accommodation of different electronic component dimensions and shapes while maintaining the same basic carrier structure.
3Ease of operation
If the vehicle cockpit uses standardized modular subassemblies, then the ease of assembly is improved, but the adaptability to update electronic components deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The instrument panel is segmented into standardized modular subassemblies that maintain fixed interfaces for easy assembly, while the technology carrier within these modules is designed to be independently replaceable, combining the benefits of standardized assembly with flexible component updates.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle cockpit of modular design for a motor vehicle, with a dashboard lower part and with a dashboard upper part and with a technology carrier which is arranged between the dashboard lower part and the dashboard upper part. The vehicle cockpit extends along a vehicle transverse axis from a left-hand A-pillar to a right-hand A-pillar. The vehicle cockpit can be fastened to a supporting tube. The technology carrier extends over between 60% and 90% of a width of the vehicle cockpit along the vehicle transverse axis and is replaceable. On account of the design of the vehicle cockpit, a simple replacement of operating and/or display elements for an update to the latest state of the art is possible.