Invention Disclosure Document. This page constitutes a timestamped publication of the DashArmor dashboard protection screen invention. It describes the design, mechanism, materials, specifications, and applications of a novel spring-loaded protective screen housed in the passenger-side A-pillar that deploys horizontally across the full dashboard, securing via a hook into an indentation on the driver-side A-pillar. This document serves as published prior art as of the initial disclosure date above.
Design Update: The initial disclosure (March 31, 2026) described a windshield-header rollout mechanism. This revision documents a fundamentally improved design: the roller assembly is now housed in the passenger-side A-pillar, and the screen deploys horizontally across the full width of the dashboard from passenger side to driver side. Deployment is manual and spring-loaded; the screen's leading edge is secured by a hook that engages an indentation on the driver-side A-pillar. All prior art and patent priority established on March 31, 2026 is preserved and extended by this revision.
The DashArmor Retractable Dashboard Protection Screen is a spring-loaded, manually deployed protective shield housed within the vehicle's passenger-side A-pillar. When deployed, the screen extends horizontally across the full width of the dashboard from the passenger side to the driver side, creating a continuous protective barrier that covers the entire dashboard surface.
The screen protects the dashboard from direct solar radiation, ultraviolet (UV) light, infrared heat, and airborne dust and particulates. When not in use, the screen retracts fully into its A-pillar housing, becoming invisible and maintaining the vehicle's factory interior aesthetics.
Unlike aftermarket sun shades (placed externally on the windshield) or dashboard covers (sitting passively on the dash surface), the DashArmor screen is a mechanically retractable, A-pillar-integrated barrier that:
Locating the roller assembly in the A-pillar rather than the windshield header offers several structural and practical advantages. The A-pillar provides a rigid, vertical mounting surface ideally suited to a compact roller housing. Horizontal deployment across the dashboard is a natural ergonomic motion for the driver or passenger, and the driver-side A-pillar indentation provides a positive, tactile lock point that eliminates the need for magnetic anchors or dashboard edge hardware. The design also simplifies installation and reduces the housing profile requirements compared to a full-width header-mounted system.
The screen is housed within a compact roller assembly integrated into the passenger-side A-pillar trim. The roller is oriented vertically, parallel to the A-pillar's structural axis. The screen material is wound around an anodized aluminum or spring-steel core tube, approximately 18–22 mm in diameter. A constant-force torsion spring provides the retraction force, automatically rewinding the screen into the housing upon release.
The A-pillar housing occupies the interior-facing portion of the A-pillar trim panel. It is concealed behind a flush-fit trim cover or integrated into the molded A-pillar casing, with a narrow horizontal slot at the dashboard-level edge through which the screen exits during deployment. The housing is color-matched to the vehicle's interior trim (typically black, gray, or tan) and presents no visible hardware when the screen is stowed.
Deployment is manual. The user grasps a textured pull-tab or handle at the exposed edge of the screen at the passenger-side A-pillar slot and draws the screen horizontally across the dashboard surface. The screen unrolls from the passenger-side A-pillar housing, lying flat against the dashboard as it extends toward the driver side. The screen's width (its dimension perpendicular to the direction of travel) is engineered to match the dashboard's front-to-back depth, ensuring complete coverage from the windshield base to the dashboard's lower edge.
The deployment path is guided by the screen's own structural integrity and, optionally, by low-profile guide rails or edge guides integrated along the top and bottom edges of the dashboard surface, ensuring the screen tracks straight and lies flat across the full span.
The screen's leading edge (the driver-side end) terminates in a rigid rail equipped with a hook mechanism. The driver-side A-pillar contains a purpose-designed indentation — a recessed channel or catch point — into which the hook engages when the screen is fully extended. This provides a positive mechanical lock that:
To retract, the user lifts or presses the hook to disengage it from the driver-side A-pillar indentation, then releases the leading-edge rail. The constant-force spring in the passenger-side roller assembly automatically rewinds the screen back into the A-pillar housing. The entire retraction completes in approximately 1.5–3 seconds. A rotary damper controls retraction speed to prevent snapback noise or screen damage.
An optional motorized version replaces the manual spring mechanism with a small 12V DC motor integrated within the A-pillar housing. Deployment and retraction are controlled by:
In the motorized variant, the driver-side hook engagement is handled by a motor-driven latch mechanism integrated into the driver-side A-pillar indentation, which extends and retracts automatically to receive and release the screen's leading edge.
The protective screen is constructed from a multi-layer composite designed for UV rejection, heat reflection, durability, and compact rollability:
Total screen thickness: 0.3–0.5 mm, enabling compact winding within the A-pillar roller housing.
Operating temperature range: −40°F to 200°F (−40°C to 93°C), covering all automotive operating environments.
Flame retardancy: Meets FMVSS 302 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for flammability of interior materials).
DashArmor screens are custom-engineered per vehicle platform. The A-pillar housing height and screen deployment span are dimensioned to match each vehicle's A-pillar profile and full dashboard width. Below are representative specifications for three primary vehicle categories:
| Specification | Full-Size Truck | SUV / Crossover | Sedan / Compact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen deployment span (A-pillar to A-pillar) | 1,450 – 1,600 mm | 1,300 – 1,500 mm | 1,100 – 1,350 mm |
| Screen height (dashboard depth coverage) | 380 – 450 mm | 350 – 420 mm | 300 – 380 mm |
| Coverage area | 0.55 – 0.72 m² | 0.46 – 0.63 m² | 0.33 – 0.51 m² |
| A-pillar housing height | 390 – 460 mm | 360 – 430 mm | 310 – 390 mm |
| A-pillar housing width (protrusion) | 22 – 28 mm | 20 – 26 mm | 18 – 24 mm |
| Total system weight | 260 – 360 g | 220 – 300 g | 170 – 240 g |
| Deployment time (manual) | 2 – 3 sec | 2 – 3 sec | 1.5 – 2.5 sec |
| Retraction time (spring return) | 2 – 3 sec | 2 – 3 sec | 1.5 – 2 sec |
| UV blocking | 99%+ | 99%+ | 99%+ |
| IR reflection | Up to 97% | Up to 97% | Up to 97% |
| Cycle rating | 15,000+ cycles | 15,000+ cycles | 15,000+ cycles |
| Reference vehicles | F-150, Silverado, RAM 1500, Tundra | Tahoe, Explorer, Highlander, Telluride | Camry, Civic, Model 3, Accord |
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Motor type | Brushless DC motor, 12V, integrated within A-pillar housing |
| Power draw | 0.8 – 1.5 A (active), 0 A (stowed) |
| Noise level | < 35 dB at 1 meter |
| Control interface | CAN bus, LIN bus, or standalone button |
| Auto-deploy sensor | Cabin temperature + ambient light (optional) |
| Driver-side latch (motorized) | Motor-driven catch integrated in driver-side A-pillar indentation; extends to receive hook, retracts to release |
| Weight addition over manual | +60 – 90 g |
Vehicle dashboards are the most sun-exposed interior surface in any car, truck, or SUV. Positioned directly beneath the windshield—a large, angled glass surface that acts as a solar collector—dashboards absorb intense ultraviolet radiation and infrared heat daily.
Over 280 million registered vehicles in the United States are exposed to sun damage daily. In Sun Belt states (Texas, Arizona, Florida, California, Nevada), the problem is most acute, with vehicles receiving 250–300+ days of direct sun exposure per year. The automotive interior protection aftermarket (sun shades, dash covers, tinting) exceeds $1.2 billion annually in the U.S. alone, indicating massive consumer demand for solutions—none of which are integrated at the factory level.
The DashArmor retractable screen is fundamentally different from every existing dashboard protection product on the market:
The primary target application. DashArmor is designed as a Tier 1 / Tier 2 supplier component, integrated during vehicle assembly. The A-pillar housing is installed as part of the passenger-side A-pillar trim assembly; the driver-side A-pillar indentation is molded into the corresponding trim panel. Every vehicle off the line ships with DashArmor installed as standard or premium-package equipment.
For vehicle models where OEM integration is not yet available, DashArmor offers a dealer-installable retrofit kit. The passenger-side A-pillar housing attaches via existing trim clip points or low-profile adhesive brackets; the driver-side indentation catch is a clip-in insert. Dealerships install the system during pre-delivery inspection (PDI) or as a line-item upgrade at $149–$349.
Commercial and government fleet operators (rental car companies, police departments, delivery services) lose significant vehicle value to sun damage across large fleets parked outdoors. DashArmor offers fleet-specification packages with simplified A-pillar clip installation and volume pricing, protecting asset value across thousands of vehicles.
A consumer-installable version with adhesive-backed A-pillar housing and a peel-and-stick driver-side catch insert for vehicle owners who want to add the system to existing vehicles. Sold through auto parts retailers and e-commerce. This channel builds brand awareness and consumer pull for OEM adoption.
EVs are especially suited for DashArmor. Large glass roofs and panoramic windshields increase solar exposure. Reducing cabin heat lowers the load on climate control, directly extending battery range. EV manufacturers are ideal early adopters given their focus on premium interiors, minimalist trim design, and technology integration.
High-end vehicles with premium leather dashboards, wood trim, and Alcantara surfaces benefit most from sun protection. Luxury OEMs (Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Genesis) and specialty truck brands are natural partners where dashboard replacement costs can exceed $5,000.
The following aspects of the DashArmor system represent novel contributions to the field of automotive interior protection: