Method of parametic design of an instrument panel support structure

• US 7,133,812 B1
• Filed: 08/30/1999
• Issued: 11/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Clark, Jared, Weber, William Francis, Walraven, Michael Joseph, Bach, Daniel Cornelius
• Primary Examiner(s): FERRIS III, FRED O
• Application Number:
  US09/385,739
• Time in Patent Office: 2,626 Days
• Field of Search: 706/45, 703/8, 703/6, 703/7
• US Class Current: 703/8
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 37/00 Dashboards as road-vehicle superstructure sub-units B62D25/14
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/145 having a crossbeam incorporated therein

Abstract

A method of parametric design of an instrument panel support structure for an instrument panel on a vehicle includes the step of determining an input parameter, such that the input parameter is a three dimensional coordinate defining the instrument panel support structure relative to the vehicle. The method also includes the step of generating a design of the instrument panel support structure using the input parameter and determining if the design of the instrument panel support structure meets a predetermined criteria. The method further includes the step of modifying the input parameter if the design of the instrument panel support structure does not meet the predetermined criteria.

Claims

1. A method of parametric design of an instrument panel support structure for an instrument panel in a vehicle comprising the steps of:

selecting a vehicle body style for the vehicle from a vehicle library stored in a memory of a computer system;

orienting an occupant within the vehicle body;

orienting a steering column within the vehicle body;

selecting a locating parameter for locating an instrument panel support structure within the vehicle body;

selecting an attaching parameter for attaching the instrument panel support structure within the vehicle body;

selecting a predetermined condition for the instrument panel support structure within the vehicle body;

electronically generating a parametric design of an instrument panel support structure using the locating parameter, the attaching parameter and the predetermined condition;

packaging an instrument panel component within the parametric design of the instrument panel support structure;

determining if the parametric design of the instrument panel support structure meets a predetermined criteria using a computer-aided analytical technique;

determining if the parametric design of the instrument panel support structure should be changed if the predetermined criteria is not met;

determining if a parameter should be changed if the parametric design of the instrument panel support structure should be changed;

modifying the parameter if the parameter should be changed; and

using a computer-aided engineering analytical technique to determine whether the design of the instrument panel support structure meets a predetermined criteria.

3. A method as set forth in claims 1 or 2 wherein said step of selecting an attaching parameter includes selecting an attachment location for attaching an upper attachment bracket portion of the instrument panel support structure relative to the vehicle.

4. A method as set forth in claims 1 or 2 wherein said step of selecting an attaching parameter includes selecting an attachment location for securing a center support bracket portion of the instrument panel support structure relative to the vehicle.

5. A method as set forth in claims 1 or 2 wherein said step of selecting an attaching parameter includes selecting an attachment location for securing an outer portion of the instrument panel support structure relative to the vehicle.

6. A method as set forth in claims 1 or 2 wherein said step of selecting a locating parameter includes defining a centerline location for a center portion of the instrument panel support structure relative to the vehicle.

7. A method as set forth in claims 1 or 2 wherein said step of selecting a locating parameter includes defining a centerline location for a driver side portion of the instrument panel support structure relative to the vehicle.

8. A method as set forth in claims 1 or 2 wherein said step of selecting a locating parameter includes defining a centerline location for a passenger side portion of the instrument panel support structure relative to the vehicle.

2. A method of parametric design of an instrument panel support structure for an instrument panel in a vehicle comprising the steps of:

selecting a vehicle body style for the vehicle from a vehicle library stored in a memory of a computer system;

orienting an occupant within the vehicle body;

orienting a steering column within the vehicle body;

selecting a locating parameter for locating an instrument panel support structure within the vehicle body;

selecting an attaching parameter for attaching the instrument panel support structure within the vehicle body;

selecting a predetermined condition for the instrument panel support structure within the vehicle body;

electronically generating a parametric design of an instrument panel support structure using the locating parameter, the attaching parameter and the predetermined condition;

packaging an instrument panel component within the parametric design of the instrument panel support structure;

determining if the parametric design of the instrument panel support structure meets a predetermined criteria using a computer-aided analytical technique;

determining if the parametric design of the instrument panel support structure should be changed if the predetermined criteria is not met;

determining if a parameter should be changed if the parametric design of the instrument panel support structure should be changed;

modifying the parameter if the parameter should be changed; and

using a computer-aided human factors analytical technique to determine whether the design of the instrument panel support structure meets a predetermined criteria.