Cage-Like Commercial Vehicle Spaceframe for Torsional Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles using ladder frames suffer from poor torsional rigidity, leading to poor handling, increased weight, and limited modularity, which restricts accommodation of different vehicle platforms and requires separate structures for the driver and payload compartments.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight spaceframe structure with a cage-like design and truss-like interconnecting beams, providing strength and support for multi-directional forces, enabling modularity and facilitating four-corner independent suspension, integral cockpit, and flexible wheelbase and wheel track configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a ladder frame structure is used, then the vehicle structure is strong in certain load-cases, but the torsional rigidity is substantially lower leading to poor handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional ladder frame arrangement to a three-dimensional spaceframe structure. The spaceframe uses a cage-like configuration with longitudinal, transverse, and diagonal beams interconnected to form a rigid spatial framework. This dimensional change allows the structure to resist torsional forces more effectively while maintaining strength in multiple load directions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining different beam configurations and connection methods within the spaceframe. The structure integrates rigid longitudinal and transverse beams with flexible suspension mounting points, creating a composite structural system that optimizes both strength and torsional rigidity for commercial vehicle applications.
2Device complexity
If a ladder frame structure is used, then the structural arrangement is simple, but the weight is increased due to separate structures for driver and payload compartments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the driver's cabin and payload compartment into a single integrated space supported by the spaceframe structure. The cage-like framework provides a unified platform that eliminates the need for separate structural supports for each compartment, thereby reducing overall vehicle weight while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spaceframe structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it supports the driver's cabin, carries the payload compartment, provides torsional rigidity, and facilitates suspension mounting. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated structures for each function, reducing weight and improving structural efficiency.
3Strength
If a ladder frame structure is used, then the chassis structure is strong, but the modularity is limited restricting accommodation of different vehicle platforms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spaceframe structure into modular sections that can be independently configured and assembled. The cage-like framework is divided into standardized units with universal connection points, allowing the same basic structure to accommodate different vehicle platforms, wheelbases, and configurations through modular assembly and disassembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A spaceframe for commercial vehicles is described. In embodiments, the spaceframe includes a body module and a cockpit module (incorporating a front module). In embodiments, the body module is divided into several modules such as a mid-module, a rear module, upper module, and a wheel arch module for modularity of the spaceframe.