Prius iPhone Dock V1 Twisted

grabcad

To start the project and to get an idea about the enviroment together with the design language of the Prius viewing angle investigations with the given eye level were executed to verify possible positions for locating the iPhone dock. Without a given H- point or another eye level for a smaller driver (55 perzentil woman) it was not possible to check the complete range of viewing angles. ( I suspect- the smaller the driver gets the more an object placed right to the steering on top of the dashboard interfears with having a clear view on the instrument cluster) For this reason the idea of creating a highly flexible dock which can get attached to different locations and which does supporting both portrait and landscape orientation of the iPhone got initiated. This idea of chosing various positions got supported by the minimal change of profile over the dashboard width in the desired region. So the fixation plate of the dock was designed to be a bit flexible equalizing altering shapes by doubleface foam rubber. Some design features of the Prius catch the eye of the observer by exploring the interior- the twisted surfaces on the steering with the round multifunction buttons and the waterdrop like concentric circles surrounding the gear shift. Both gave inspiration for finding the design concept. Part oft he concept was also finding a design which can be regarded as a decoration piece both for the iPhone and the Prius. Aiming for high quality aesthetics Alias surfacing was used to create shapes with having maximum control on curves, proportions and surface transitions. Small rubber pins to organize the power plug cable round the flexible concept same as placing a credit card or notes on the backside. The rubber pins also get attached by doubleface foam rubber. In the end I desided to deliever 2 Versions oft he dock- one with Prius branding and a neutral one translating the twisted surfaces idea to the face oft he dock. Revision A shows an alternative only !!!