Aluminum Frame Insert With Transverse Ribs for Vehicle Stiffness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle frames made of steel are heavy due to their high unit weight, which affects energy efficiency, while hollow structural members lack the strength and rigidity of solid members.
Innovation Solution
A frame insert made of lightweight material, such as aluminum, with transverse ribs is inserted between sections of a structural frame to provide lateral stiffness and support, using adhesive layers and fasteners for attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If steel is used for structural frame members, then strength and stiffness are improved, but weight increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining aluminum (lightweight material) with steel (high strength material) in a hybrid frame structure. The aluminum extrusions form the main frame members while steel components are integrated at critical locations to provide enhanced strength and stiffness where needed, achieving a balance between weight reduction and structural performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by using steel reinforcement only at specific critical locations within the aluminum frame structure rather than throughout the entire frame. This allows the frame to have high strength where structurally necessary while maintaining lightweight aluminum construction in non-critical areas, optimizing the strength-to-weight ratio
2Weight of moving object
If hollow structural members are used, then weight is reduced, but strength and rigidity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines hollow aluminum extrusions (for weight reduction) with steel reinforcement components (for strength enhancement). The hollow aluminum members provide lightweight structure while integrated steel elements restore and enhance the strength and rigidity that would otherwise be lost by using hollow rather than solid construction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the nesting principle by placing steel reinforcement components inside or within the hollow aluminum extrusion members. The steel elements are nested within the aluminum hollow structure, allowing the lightweight hollow form to be maintained while internally reinforcing it with high-strength steel to achieve both weight reduction and adequate strength
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, vehicles, and methods for providing a frame insert insertable between sections of a structural frame to provide lateral stiffness to resist deformation of the structural frame. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a frame insert configured to be received between sections of a structural frame. The frame insert includes a body of extruded material having opposing ends. Each of the opposing ends is configured to engage an inner face of one of the sections of the structural frame. A plurality of transverse ribs extends between the opposing ends. The plurality of transverse ribs is configured to provide support to the structural frame.