Window Post Trim With Vertical Speaker and Removable Tongue

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing designs for motor vehicle bay garnishes compromise sound quality and access to dashboard fixing due to speaker placement, with transverse orientation degrading sound quality and requiring complex dismantling or additional space for replacement.

Innovation Solution

A garnish with a tongue structure that covers dashboard fixing means, includes a variable transverse section, and a vertically oriented grid for sound diffusion, allowing the speaker to be fixed underneath, optimizing acoustic performance and simplifying dashboard access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the speaker is placed in the trim along a transverse axis of the vehicle, then the space in the area is freed up, but the quality of the sound emitted is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace availabilityVSAvoidsound quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The speaker is oriented in a vertical direction (along the Z axis) rather than along the transverse axis, utilizing the vertical dimension to achieve optimal acoustic performance while maintaining space efficiency in the transverse direction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the speaker is placed in the dashboard area, then the acoustic performance is optimized, but the access to the means of fixing the dashboard is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacoustic performanceVSAvoidaccess to dashboard fixing
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The trim is segmented into a main body and a tongue portion, where the tongue can be removed independently to provide access to the dashboard fixing means, while the speaker remains integrated in the main body of the trim

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tongue is designed as a removable component that can be taken out to access the dashboard fixing means, separating the access function from the main trim structure while keeping the speaker integrated

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Shape

If the dashboard fixing means are covered by the trim, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the access to the fixing means is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidaccess to fixing means
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The trim is divided into a main body that covers the fixing means for aesthetic purposes and a removable tongue that provides access when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tongue is designed to be removable, transforming the trim from a static covering to a dynamic structure that can be opened for access and closed for aesthetic appearance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution enhances sound quality by orienting the speaker vertically and facilitates easier dashboard removal and installation by providing a tool passage surface, improving both acoustic performance and access convenience.

Implementation Method 1

the tongue includes, in its thickness oriented along a vertical direction of the vehicle, a grid configured to diffuse sounds generated by the loudspeaker

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound diffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP4237287B1Trim for a window post, and associated motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 RENAULT SA
  • EP4237287B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4237287B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4237287B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A trim (18) for a motor vehicle window post (12) comprises a lower portion (19) configured to be integrated into an instrument panel (14) of the vehicle. The bottom portion of the trim includes a tab (20) extending in a longitudinal direction (X) and a transverse direction (Y) of the vehicle, said tab being configured to support a loudspeaker oriented in a vertical direction (Z) of the vehicle.