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MAKING CHANGES TO THE DASHBOARD OF A COBALT CAR
D.A. Moydinov
Head of Department, PhD, Andijan State Technical Institute
S.O. Sultonov
Student, Andijan State Technical Institute
Abstract:
This article discusses the improvement project of the instrument panel of the Cobalt
car, which is widely used in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Drivers of various heights and div
dimensions operate the vehicle. In the case of taller drivers, the knee area often contacts the
lighting adjustment switch on the instrument panel, frequently resulting in its damage. According
to the proposed project, the lighting control component has been relocated to another position,
thereby increasing the general usability coefficient of the vehicle.
Keywords:
Instrument panel, mannequin, noise and vibration, lighting control lever.
Introduction
Currently, the automotive industry in Uzbekistan is rapidly evolving. Since the country's
independence, automotive production has developed significantly, and special attention has been
given to the manufacturing of modern vehicles. Among these, the Cobalt car, produced at the
"GM Uzbekistan" plant, stands out due to its considerable production volume. Presently, the
Cobalt model has gained significant customer interest and is becoming competitive in the global
automobile market.
The "Chevrolet Cobalt" is a family sedan model developed by GM's Brazilian division using the
corporation’s global design standards. It is designed by GM’s global team to meet international
benchmarks and perform strongly in emerging markets. The model combines comfort, elegance,
high dynamic characteristics, and a timeless classic design. To ensure optimal safety, the
Chevrolet Cobalt is constructed from high-strength steel and is equipped with ABS and airbags
for the driver and front passenger.
Literature Review
The design of the driver’s workplace is carried out in accordance with the standards specified in
GOST 37.001.413-86. During the design process, a two-dimensional mannequin, based on
GOST 20304-85, is used to simulate the postures of drivers of varying div types. The templates
consist of major div parts including the head, arms, and legs (Figure 1). Angular rulers are
installed for setting and measuring the angles between axes of these elements. A measuring
device is attached to the torso component to set and determine the angle between the div axis
and vertical axis [1].
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Figure 1. Two-dimensional mannequin
It is well known that individuals vary in height, weight, build, and div part dimensions.
Therefore, automotive designers face the complex task of creating vehicle interiors that
accommodate drivers and passengers of diverse anthropometric characteristics. Comfort in a
vehicle largely depends on ergonomic seating, noise and vibration isolation, and ease of entry.
Passengers in the rear seats must also feel comfortable. In many models, the rear seat backrest is
already adjustable. The average cabin air temperature ranges from 18°C to 24°C, and the airflow
speed is approximately 1 m/s [2].
Problem Statement
When analyzing the lighting control lever of the Chevrolet Cobalt, it has been observed that
during driver entry, the driver’s knee may contact the lighting adjustment lever, leading to
mechanical damage or breakage. While this may not pose a significant issue during daylight
hours, it can create a serious safety risk at night. If external light indicators also fail, the risk of
accidents increases significantly. A broken lighting lever also disables the vehicle’s side lights,
license plate illumination, and dashboard backlighting. Malfunctioning tail lights pose a danger
to drivers approaching from behind. Replacing the damaged part requires time and resources—
an average of 250,000 UZS per repair. Moreover, this problem tends to recur over time, making
it a persistent issue.
From a health perspective, forceful knee impact can potentially injure the driver. Although not
always severe, the repeated strain over time, especially during long drives (averaging about 3
hours daily), can cause the injury to worsen due to vibrations and div weight pressure. This, in
turn, may affect the driver’s lower-div mobility. To solve the above-mentioned issues, the
relocation of the lever is proposed in a way that avoids interference with other components.
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Figure 2. Current Layout of the Cobalt Instrument Panel
Results
Unlike in the Cobalt, similar components in Gentra and Nexia 3 are positioned higher, causing
no interference. As seen in Figure 2, there is sufficient space above the current location of the
lighting lever in the Cobalt, measuring approximately 18 cm in width and 5–6 cm in height. Half
of this space is adequate for repositioning the lever, similar to the layout in the Spark model.
This space is typically unused, as placing other items there is impractical due to vibration-related
inconvenience. Therefore, relocating the control lever to this area is feasible.
Figure 3. Modified Layout of the Cobalt Instrument Panel
Conclusion
This article presents a detailed analysis of the issues related to the placement of the external
lighting control lever on the instrument panel of the widely used Chevrolet Cobalt in Uzbekistan.
It was scientifically established that the current position of this component is ergonomically
inconvenient for tall drivers and may lead to mechanical damage due to contact with the knee.
The problem was evaluated from technical, ergonomic, and economic perspectives, highlighting
its impact on driver health and overall traffic safety. Based on technical analysis, a proposal to
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relocate the lever to the upper section of the instrument panel was developed. This solution is
supported by comparisons with the layouts of similar models such as Gentra, Nexia 3, and Spark,
and is grounded in practical application. The proposed new layout enhances component safety,
improves ergonomic comfort for the driver, and does not interfere with other vehicle systems
while maintaining aesthetic integrity. Research findings indicate that the new location of the
lighting control lever increases overall usability, reduces maintenance costs, and eliminates
discomfort affecting driver health. Thus, the proposed design modification may serve as an
important step in improving the ergonomics and technological quality of the Chevrolet Cobalt.
References
1. Petrov A.P. Elements of Ergonomics and Design. – 2005.
2. Savinov D.L. Ergonomic Aspects of Car Interior Design // The Role of Innovation in the
Transformation of Modern Society. – 2016. – p. 58.
3. Vokhobov R., Yoqubov Y., Ergashev D. The Design of the Cobalt Car’s Baggage Lid for
Automatic Closing // The Scientific Heritage. – 2020. – № 46-1(46). – pp. 33–35.
4. Janes A. et al. Effective Dashboard Design // Cutter IT Journal. – 2013. – Vol. 26 – № 1. – pp.
17–24.
5. Kim S.J. et al. Usability of Car Dashboard Displays for Elder Drivers // Proceedings of the
SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. – 2011. – pp. 493–502.
