Vehicle Instrument Panel Load Transfer for Pedal Bracket Impact

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing pedal-backward-preventive mechanisms in vehicles face challenges in achieving sufficient impact resistance without increasing the size and weight of the pedal-backward-preventive bracket, which is necessary to handle large rearward loads during a forward collision.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle interior structure that includes a pedal-backward-preventive bracket fixed to an instrumental panel support member, a mount bracket for the head-up display, and a load transfer portion between the two, which distributes the rearward load from the pedal-backward-preventive bracket to the mount bracket, thereby enhancing impact resistance without increasing the size or weight of the pedal-backward-preventive bracket.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the thickness or size of the pedal-backward-preventive bracket is increased to increase impact resistance, then the impact resistance is improved, but the size and weight of the bracket are increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidweight of pedal-backward-preventive bracket

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The load path is segmented into two separate paths: one through the pedal-backward-preventive bracket and another through the mount bracket. This segmentation allows the rearward load to be distributed across multiple structural components rather than concentrating all force on the pedal bracket, enabling the pedal bracket to be smaller and lighter while maintaining sufficient impact resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the pedal-backward-preventive function with the head-up display mounting structure by utilizing the mount bracket (which supports the head-up display) as an additional load-bearing component. This merging allows the mount bracket to contribute to impact resistance, thereby reducing the required size and weight of the dedicated pedal-backward-preventive bracket.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If the thickness or size of the pedal-backward-preventive bracket is increased to increase impact resistance, then the impact resistance is improved, but the size of the bracket is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidsize of pedal-backward-preventive bracket

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The load path is segmented into two separate paths: one through the pedal-backward-preventive bracket and another through the mount bracket. This segmentation allows the rearward load to be distributed across multiple structural components rather than concentrating all force on the pedal bracket, enabling the pedal bracket to be smaller and lighter while maintaining sufficient impact resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mount bracket is given dual functionality: it serves both as a mounting structure for the head-up display and as a load-bearing component for the pedal-backward-preventive mechanism. This multi-functionality allows the same structural element to address both display mounting and collision protection needs, reducing the overall size requirements of the pedal bracket.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If a simple bracket structure is used for the pedal-backward-preventive mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the impact resistance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure of pedal-backward-preventive bracketVSAvoidimpact resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the pedal-backward-preventive function with the head-up display mounting structure by utilizing the mount bracket (which supports the head-up display) as an additional load-bearing component. This merging allows the mount bracket to contribute to impact resistance, thereby reducing the required size and weight of the dedicated pedal-backward-preventive bracket.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The instrumental panel support member acts as an intermediary structure that connects both the pedal-backward-preventive bracket and the mount bracket. This intermediary provides a common structural foundation that enables load transfer between the two brackets, allowing a simpler overall design while maintaining sufficient impact resistance through the distributed load path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10338627B2Vehicle interior structure

Publication Date: 2019.07.02 MAZDA MOTOR CORP

AI summary

A vehicle interior structure includes a pedal-backward-preventive bracket against which a supporting portion of a control panel abuts when the control pedal controlled by a foot of a driver moves backward, the pedal-backward-preventive bracket being fixed to an instrumental panel support member extending in a vehicle width direction, a mount bracket on which a head-up display is mounted, the mount bracket being fixed to the instrumental panel support member, and a load transfer portion that is provided between the pedal-backward-preventive bracket and the mount bracket to transfer a rearward load input to the pedal-backward-preventive bracket to the mount bracket via the supporting portion.