Vehicle Instrument Panel Customization via Virtual Prototyping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for customizing vehicle instrument panels are costly, time-consuming, and risk incorrect gauge calibration, with limited options for users to visualize and evaluate customizations before manufacturing, especially when transitioning between mechanical and virtual instruments.

Innovation Solution

A system and method allowing users to customize vehicle instrument panels via an Internet-enabled website, where users can select and arrange components, including hardware and virtual instruments, generating a visual representation and build specification for manufacturers, enabling review and approval before production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a third party company replaces the factory installed instrument panel with a customized one, then the user can have a customized instrument panel, but the process becomes costly and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidtime for replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows users to configure and visualize their customized instrument panel before manufacturing. Users can select components, arrange them, and review a visual representation of the customized panel in advance, enabling the manufacturing process to proceed efficiently without time-consuming on-site replacements or iterative revisions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a virtual copy or representation of the customized instrument panel that users can review and evaluate before actual manufacturing. This virtual prototype allows users to verify their customization choices without requiring physical replacement of the factory panel, saving time and resources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If a third party company replaces the factory installed instrument panel with a customized one, then the user can have a customized instrument panel, but the process becomes costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidcost for replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If virtual type instruments are replaced with gauge-type instruments or vice versa, then the user can customize the instrument panel, but the replacement becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstrument type flexibilityVSAvoidreplacement difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides visual feedback to users as they configure their instrument panel, displaying a real-time representation of their choices. This feedback mechanism helps users understand the implications of their selections and makes the configuration process more intuitive, reducing errors and revisions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Loss of information

If the user wants to visually review or evaluate the customized instrument panel before manufacturing, then the user can evaluate the customization, but no tool currently exists to provide this functionality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisual evaluation capabilityVSAvoidtool availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS8577487B2Customized instrument evaluation and ordering tool

Publication Date: 2013.11.05 PACCAR INC

AI summary

A tool is provided to allow a user to customize the components of a vehicle instrument panel from an Internet-enabled Web site. A user can navigate to a Web site and select a vehicle for configuration. From the Web site, input may be obtained regarding the components and appearance of an instrument panel such as selecting particular types of components (e.g., display panels, gauges, etc.) and arranging where the selected components are to be located. The input generated by a user is translated into a build specification for assembling the instrument panel at the manufacturer. Accordingly, the system and method serve as an interface between the Web site that obtains user configuration data and a manufacturer's system that manages assembly of the vehicle.