Instrument Panel Air Duct Layout for Driver Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle collisions, the air duct, being weaker than the instrument panel reinforcement and steering wheel, fails to effectively mitigate the impact on the driver, leading to inadequate collision safety on the driver's seat side.
Innovation Solution
The air duct is strategically disposed between the instrument panel reinforcement and the steering wheel, with a lower buckling strength than the column cover, allowing it to crush and absorb the impact, while maintaining space above for instruments and enhancing design flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the air duct is made of thin plate material to maintain flexibility and airflow function, then the air duct can be easily manufactured and installed, but the air duct lacks sufficient strength to mitigate collision impact on the driver
Solution Approach 1:
The air duct is designed with non-uniform thickness, having a first thickness in the region between the instrument panel reinforcement and steering wheel (collision zone) and a second thickness in other regions. This local quality variation allows the air duct to have sufficient strength and energy absorption capability where needed while maintaining ease of manufacture and installation in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the air duct by varying its thickness parameter across different regions. The first thickness is specifically designed to be greater than the second thickness, transforming the air duct from a uniform thin-walled structure to a variable-thickness structure that can simultaneously achieve ease of manufacture and adequate collision mitigation strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If the air duct is positioned in front of the instrument panel reinforcement to simplify installation, then the installation process is easier, but the air duct cannot effectively protect the driver during collision as it lacks the strength to absorb impact
Solution Approach 1:
The air duct incorporates a local quality enhancement by increasing the thickness specifically in the collision zone (first thickness) while maintaining thinner walls elsewhere. This allows the air duct to be positioned in the optimal location for impact absorption (between reinforcement and steering wheel) while having sufficient strength only where needed, rather than requiring uniform thickness throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The air duct is pre-positioned in the optimal collision mitigation location (between the instrument panel reinforcement and steering wheel) during the design phase. The preliminary action of strategic positioning combined with localized thickness enhancement ensures that when collision occurs, the air duct is already in the correct position to absorb impact energy, eliminating the need for complex positioning mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If the air duct has uniform thickness throughout to simplify manufacturing, then manufacturing is easier, but the air duct cannot provide adequate buckling strength in the collision zone while maintaining space for instruments above
Solution Approach 1:
The air duct employs local quality variation by having different thicknesses in different regions. The first thickness in the collision zone provides the necessary buckling strength and stability, while the second thickness in non-critical areas maintains manufacturing simplicity. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between manufacturing ease and structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The air duct is segmented into different thickness zones: a first region with greater thickness for collision mitigation and a second region with lesser thickness for ease of manufacture. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall manufacturing process compared to designing a uniformly thick structure.
4Illumination intensity
If the air duct is placed behind the instrument panel reinforcement to maintain space for instruments, then instrument visibility is improved, but the air duct cannot effectively mitigate collision impact on the driver
Solution Approach 1:
The air duct uses local quality enhancement with increased thickness in the collision zone to enable it to be positioned in the optimal safety location (between reinforcement and steering wheel) while still providing adequate structural strength. This resolves the conflict between positioning for safety and maintaining instrument space, as the localized strength enhancement allows the duct to occupy the same space without compromising either safety or instrument visibility.
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 enhances collision safety by absorbing the impact and maintaining a safe distance between the driver's eyes and instruments, while allowing for improved design freedom around the steering wheel.
Implementation Method 1
In the event of a collision, the driver may collide with a steering wheel and receive a strong impact
Implementation Method 2
buckling strength of the air duct in a vehicle body front-rear direction may be lower than buckling strength of the column cover in the vehicle body front-rear direction
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes an instrument panel reinforcement that extends in a vehicle width direction inside an instrument panel, a steering wheel located behind the instrument panel reinforcement, and an air duct that is disposed inside the instrument panel and passes between the instrument panel reinforcement and the steering wheel.