Asymmetric Utility Vehicle Frame for Differential Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing utility vehicle designs face challenges in lowering the ground clearance of the differential unit, which affects the vehicle's stability and the space available for the steering unit, leading to suboptimal positioning and durability issues with the constant velocity joint.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a front frame structure with shorter vertical sections compared to the rear frame, allowing for a lower ground clearance and positioning of drive shafts and steering units, thereby reducing the bending angle of the constant velocity joint and improving stability and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ground clearance of the differential unit is lowered to improve vehicle stability and reduce constant velocity joint bending angle, then traveling stability and durability are improved, but the space available for mounting the steering unit becomes constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the steering unit in the lateral direction (width dimension) rather than only in the vertical dimension. The steering unit is mounted between the differential unit and the vehicle center line, utilizing the lateral space that becomes available when the differential unit is positioned low to the ground. This dimensional shift resolves the conflict between low ground clearance and steering unit accommodation.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the ground clearance of the differential unit is lowered to reduce the bending angle of the constant velocity joint, then durability of the constant velocity joint is improved, but the positioning of the drive shaft becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the vertical position parameter of the differential unit (lowering it to reduce ground clearance) and simultaneously adjusts the lateral position parameter of the drive shafts. By modifying these positional parameters, the patent achieves a smaller bending angle for the constant velocity joint while maintaining proper drive shaft connection to the front wheels.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the vertical section height of the front frame tube is reduced to lower the ground clearance, then the center of gravity is lowered improving stability, but the structural design becomes more constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric frame tube heights where the front frame tubes have different vertical section heights compared to the rear frame tubes. Specifically, the front frame tubes are designed with shorter vertical sections to lower the front ground clearance and center of gravity, while the rear frame tubes maintain greater height. This asymmetric design achieves improved stability while accommodating the lowered differential unit position.
Data Source
AI summary
A utility vehicle includes a rear frame, a front frame and a coupling body. A height of a vertical section of the front frame is shorter than a height of a vertical section of the rear frame tube, and a ground clearance of an upper face of the front frame tube is shorter than a ground clearance of an upper face of the rear frame. The coupling body connects a rear end of the front frame with a front end of the rear frame. An upper face member of the coupling body includes a forwardly descending sloped face that interconnects an upper face of the rear frame with an upper face of the front frame. A front differential unit is mounted on the front frame. A front drive shaft having a constant velocity joint extends from the front differential unit forwardly of the coupling body and upwardly of the front frame.