Modular Instrument Panel Crossmember with Selective Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
The development of new vehicle body configurations, particularly the dashboard cross member, is costly and time-consuming due to the need for specific tooling and design studies for each new vehicle type, driven by varying safety standards and vehicle designs.
Innovation Solution
A modular dashboard cross member design featuring a first section extending opposite the driver's seat with a fastening device that can selectively support a second section or a strut, allowing for adaptable configurations without requiring complete redesign for each vehicle model, using materials like magnesium, aluminum, or composite materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a dedicated dashboard cross member design is developed for each new vehicle configuration, then the vehicle can meet specific safety standards and design requirements, but the development cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The cross member is designed with a universal first section that can accommodate multiple vehicle configurations. The fastening device allows selective attachment of either a second section or a strut, enabling the same base component to serve different vehicle types (saloon, coupé, cabriolet) and propulsion modes (internal combustion, electric, hybrid) without requiring complete redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross member is divided into modular sections: a first section that is common to all configurations, and optional second sections or struts that can be selectively attached. This segmentation allows the vehicle manufacturer to assemble different configurations using the same first section, reducing the number of unique parts needed.
2Manufacturing precision
If specific tooling is created for each new vehicle body development, then the cross member can be precisely manufactured for that configuration, but the tooling costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening device is designed as a universal interface that can accommodate multiple attachment configurations. The same first section and fastening device can be manufactured using identical tooling, while still enabling different vehicle configurations through selective attachment of second sections or struts.
3Reliability
If the cross member design is optimized for each specific vehicle type, then the structural performance is maximized for that vehicle, but the development time for each new vehicle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first section is designed in advance with a universal fastening device that pre-accommodates multiple possible configurations. This preliminary design approach allows rapid adaptation to different vehicle types without requiring time-consuming redesign and retooling for each new vehicle model.
4Ease of manufacture
If a complete cross member is used for all vehicle configurations, then manufacturing is simplified, but vehicles requiring different configurations (e.g., half-crosspiece for driver-only vehicles) cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The cross member is segmented into a mandatory first section and optional second sections or struts. This segmentation allows the manufacturer to produce a complete cross member (first section plus second section) for full configurations, or only the first section for vehicles requiring a half-crosspiece arrangement, all using the same standardized first section.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening device enables dynamic reconfiguration of the cross member assembly. The same first section can be adapted to different vehicle configurations by selectively attaching or omitting the second section or strut, allowing the design to respond to different vehicle requirements without sacrificing manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~7
AI summary
The invention relates to an instrument panel crossmember for vehicles that have different configurations, said crossmember (4) being intended to extend between two front pillars (28, 30) of a vehicle. According to the invention, the crossmember (4) comprises a first portion (22) extending opposite the vehicle driving seat, one end of said first portion (22) being intended to connect to a front pillar (28) of the vehicle, the other end being connected to a fixing device (26), said fixing device (26) being designed selectively to support one end of a second portion (24) extending facing the vehicle passenger seat and/or a strut (20) designed to connect said crossmember (4) to the floor (16) of the vehicle, depending on the configuration of the vehicle.