Heavy Vehicle Chassis Extension System for Cab Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Heavy vehicles, particularly military vehicles, require reconfiguration to accommodate different cab shapes or types, necessitating changes to the suspension system and side members, which increases production costs and time.

Innovation Solution

A chassis design with a pair of side members and an extension system that provides anchoring points for various cabs and suspension systems, allowing different configurations without altering the side members, using an extension system with lateral portions and end elements to support multiple suspension and steering systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the suspension system is altered to accommodate different cabs, then the chassis can be adapted to different vehicle configurations, but the side members have to be redesigned which increases production costs and times

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different cabsVSAvoidproduction costs and times

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The chassis is divided into modular components: standardized side members and configurable extension systems. The extension system can be segmented and reconfigured independently to accommodate different cab types, while the core side members remain standardized for cost-effective production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The side members are designed with universal anchoring capabilities through the extension system, allowing a single standardized side member design to support multiple suspension system configurations and different cab types, thereby eliminating the need for redesigning side members for each vehicle configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If different chassis designs are provided for different cab types, then each configuration can be optimized, but production complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidchassis design variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A universal side member design is created that can accommodate multiple cab types through the configurable extension system. The extension system serves multiple functions by providing standardized anchoring points that can be adapted to different suspension configurations without requiring different side member designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The extension system is designed to be dynamically configurable, allowing the chassis to adapt to different vehicle configurations through repositionable or removable extension components rather than requiring fundamentally different chassis designs for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4511274B1Improved chassis for a heavy vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.10.29 IDV DEFENCE VEHICLES ITALIA SPA

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AI summary

A chassis (1) for a heavy vehicle comprising a first and a second side member (2a, 2b) extending along a longitudinal axis (A) of the vehicle between a first end portion (2') and a second end portion (2"), the chassis (1) comprising an extension system (5) fixed to said first end portion (2') and extending along the longitudinal axis (A) beyond the first end portion (2'), the extension system (5) being configured to support different suspension configurations (20, 30) to support a cab of the vehicle.