Papers by Keyword: Instrument Panel

Abstract: This study presents the numerical and experimental interior head impact analysis of automotive instrument panel according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Regulation 21 (ECE R21). To minimize the possible injury risk for unrestrained front seat passengers due to the interior head impact with the instrument panel, the panel design needs to meet the ECE R21 standard which defines a pendulum-type head form as the impactor. The measured acceleration response of the head form should not exceed 80g continuously for more than 3ms. Motivated by the need to develop a simulation-based technique to evaluate the design of the instrument panel, a numerical model based on the explicit dynamic finite element analysis (FEA) by using the commercial FEA solver, LS-DYNA, is developed. To minimize the experimental cost, a gravity-based impactor with a smaller impact speed is develop as the test apparatus for verification purpose. The simulated results agree well with the experimental data; the average accuracy for the maximum value of impact acceleration at the head form is 95.4%. After the verification, the standard test conditions (with higher impact speed) are performed to evaluate the design. The outcome of this study can provide an efficient and cost-effective method to predict and improve the design of the instrument panel for interior head impact protection.

Abstract: Based on the basic structure in the practical installation condition, the static model of the instrument panel (IP) beam assembly is developed. To reduce the weight, Mg is substituted for steel as the material of the structure. The finite element software is used to evaluate the constraint modal performance, rigidness and strength withstanding the specific load. After the comparison of model analysis with different materials, the Mg-based IP beam assembly is optimized to achieve the performance the steel-based one has. The process offers the reference to the lightweight design of Mg-based IP beam assembly.

Abstract: Light weighting of cars has the definite advantage of reducing fuel consumption and tail pipe emissions. In this respect, substitution of heavier steel components with magnesium ones can save on weight of the replaced component due to its weight advantage resulting in lowering green house gases (GHG). There are additional benefits when magnesium is applied to complex structures and assemblies such as an Instrument Panel (IP). The possibility of casting single piece magnesium cross-car beams of IP can reduce the number of components to be assembled as wells as ease the disassembly and recovery at the end of life. This study, considering these advantages of using magnesium for IPs, examines and compares the environmental life cycle impact of magnesium and traditional steel and plastic IPs. However, the results indicate that magnesium IPs can have higher GHG impact than equivalent IPs made from others. The technological avenues for reducing the impact of magnesium IPs are examined in an extended study, including impact of primary metal (assumed from China), improvements in casting manufacture and use of secondary metal. These improvements show substantial reduction of GHG in the manufacture of magnesium IPs and improvement in comparative GHG performance with other materials.