DESIGN NAME: B4 Automotive Interior Console
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Automotive Interior Console
INSPIRATION: The console’s design language took inspiration from traditional VW elements to meet the interior look of existing models. Aimed to serve a luxury segment the console evolved from older Phaeton elements and merged with more dynamic features of current models such as Passat CC. However the most important inspiration for this project came from a total lack of industrial developed consoles for this segment that met automotive safety and material standards.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The B Vier Console was designed as a luxury interior accessory for Volkswagen Caravelle people carrier vehicles. This segment is very popular in Southeast Asia, the Gulf region and Russia. The design of the console was inspired by traditional VW elements and offers privacy, entertainment and comfort options. It was designed as a fully built in system directly from the assembly floor and is not a “custom” option as they are available from independent garages.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: The console focussed on serving its two VIP passengers the best way possible. The console control unit is conveniently situated in seating height reach, illuminated and angled so information is clearly readable. The unit operates two partitions, a transparent audio partition for private conversations and a second tinted vision shutter for total privacy. Both window partitions are made of tempered automotive safety glass. The hidden LED screen ascends out of the console at the press of a button.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project was designed and produced in Thailand. The production drawings for the console were finished in early January 2013 from an initial concept development stage of 6 months. After early prototypes in February and March 2013 pilot production started in April with first shipments going out in July. Now in its secondary order the console is attracting buyers from Taiwan and Russia.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Vehicle, Mobility and Transportation Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: In order to serve VW as a body builder the console had to match safety standards of VW’s importers. Unlike “custom” products made from wood and covered by PVC we designed our console to be produced from automotive grade Polyurethane foam which was more resistant to scratching and fire retardant. In addition it gave us better finishing options with leather textures and sharper radii in comparison to conventional vacuum forming.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: The console consists of four structural elements that were designed to ease the shipping and assembly in other destinations than Thailand. The main frame builds the backbone for all electric components such as window partition, TV and ECU. The console exterior is split into a central unit that is mounted first and two b-pillar wing units that complete the installation. This strategy also allowed slight alterations on the wing parts to match b-pillars on other or future models.
TAGS: VW console, Luxury Car interior, Custom car interiors,
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: One of the research insights we discovered from talking with exclusive users of the Caravelle T5 was the need for ladies to hang up their expensive handbags which resulted in the inclusion of a retractable hook on the console. We also included an extendable footrest for long haul trips. We also designed a wide central table unit for both front VIP seats that could be used to place on tablets. A concealed charging station in the console provides power for two phones and a 220V laptop socket.
CHALLENGE: The creative challenge of this console was to maintain all functionality while shrinking the console depth as much as possible to increase leg space for all 7 passengers in the rear compartment. It was achieved by using PU which required less structural frame work and also engineering prowess that merged both Design and mechanical features together. In the end we managed to make the console almost 30% thinner to its previous version with compromising any features.
ADDED DATE: 2014-02-26 01:45:36
TEAM MEMBERS (2) : Prompong Hakk and Surakead Hemwimon
IMAGE CREDITS: PAS DESIGNWORKS, 2013.
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