Central Underbody for Hybrid Powertrain Integration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current motor vehicle body designs require separate bases for internal combustion engines and electric motors on the same platform, leading to increased complexity, cost, and inflexibility, as well as the need for multiple base pairs for different vehicle lengths, such as two-seater and four-seater configurations.

Innovation Solution

A central underbody part with interchangeable interface elements for both thermal and electric motorizations, allowing the same platform to accommodate various vehicle lengths and configurations by integrating fuel tanks and energy storage batteries, while maintaining structural integrity and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate bases are designed for internal combustion engines and electric motors on the same platform, then each powertrain type can be optimized specifically, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepowertrain optimizationVSAvoidbase complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal base design where the same central base structure can accommodate both internal combustion engines and electric motors through interchangeable interface elements. The base includes standardized mounting points, connection interfaces, and spatial arrangements that work with different powertrain types, eliminating the need for separate dedicated bases for each powertrain technology.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs adjustable and reconfigurable interface elements on the base that can be adapted to different powertrain configurations. The base structure allows for dynamic reconfiguration of mounting positions and connection points, enabling the same base to serve multiple powertrain types without requiring complete redesign for each application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple pairs of bases are created for different vehicle lengths on the same platform, then vehicle configuration flexibility is improved, but manufacturing costs and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle configuration flexibilityVSAvoidbase pair complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the base into modular segments with standardized interfaces. The central base can be combined with different front and rear base sections to create configurations suitable for various vehicle lengths and seating arrangements. This segmentation allows a single central base design to support multiple vehicle configurations without requiring completely separate base pairs for each vehicle type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal base platform where the same central base structure can be used across different vehicle configurations by combining it with various front and rear sections. The standardized interfaces and modular design enable the base to adapt to different vehicle lengths, seating capacities, and powertrain types, reducing the need for multiple dedicated base pairs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the underbody is dedicated solely to electric motorization with specific floor zones for battery housing, then electric motor optimization is improved, but adaptability to internal combustion engines is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric motor optimizationVSAvoidpowertrain adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the underbody with universal interface elements and standardized mounting zones that can accommodate both electric motor components and internal combustion engine components. The floor zones are configured with adaptable interfaces that can house batteries for electric motors or fuel tanks and engine components for internal combustion engines, maintaining optimization for each powertrain type while preserving cross-compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The underbody structure incorporates reconfigurable interface elements that can be adapted to different powertrain requirements. The floor zones and mounting points are designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, allowing the same underbody structure to optimize for electric motorization when equipped with battery systems or adapt to internal combustion engine configurations when equipped with appropriate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3197756B1Underbody for the co-installation of an electric engine and a heat engine
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 RENAULT SA
  • EP3197756B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3197756B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3197756B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a central underbody part (10) of the structural body of a motor vehicle, comprising: an assembly of first interface elements allowing components of a first type to be mounted on the central underbody part (10), said components being associated with the operation of a heat drive engine (11) of the vehicle, which is to be mounted on a rear structural part (100) of the structural bodywork integral with the central underbody part (10); and an assembly of second interface elements allowing components of a second type to be mounted on the central underbody part (10), these components being associated with the operation of an electric drive engine (12) of the vehicle, which is to be mounted on said rear structural part (100).