Motor Vehicle Chassis Fairing with Shackle Release Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing solutions for housing conduits, such as electrical cables and fluid ducts, between a motor vehicle's platform and fairings face challenges in maintaining adequate ground clearance while minimizing the elevation of the underbody and protecting the conduits from damage, as they are either exposed or require significant elevation adjustments that increase the base height.

Innovation Solution

A set of bodywork elements with a platform and fairings that include a clip for securing conduits, featuring an opening in the fairing with a reinforcing belt and gutter system to limit elevation extension, maintain ground clearance, and protect against particle projection, allowing for easy verification of duct fixation quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conduits are housed within the subframe between platform and fairings, then conduits are protected from particle damage, but the height of the subframe increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of conduits from particle damageVSAvoidheight of subframe
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from vertical housing of conduits (increasing subframe height) to horizontal routing through openings in the fairing. Conduits pass through laterally oriented openings rather than extending vertically, allowing protection while maintaining compact vertical dimensions. The attachment means secure conduits in this horizontal plane rather than requiring vertical space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The fairing is segmented with discrete openings at specific locations to allow conduit passage. Rather than creating a large continuous vertical space, the fairing is divided into sections with targeted openings, enabling conduit routing through the fairing structure itself without increasing overall subframe height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If ground clearance is increased to protect undercarriage from impacts, then undercarriage is protected from obstacles, but the available volume of the vehicle above the platform is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of undercarriage from impactsVSAvoidavailable volume above platform
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the lateral dimension by routing conduits through horizontal openings in the fairing rather than requiring additional vertical space. This allows conduit housing without increasing ground clearance, thereby preserving both undercarriage protection and available volume above the platform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If attachment points are positioned at a distance from fairings to secure conduits, then conduits are securely fixed, but the vertical extension of the underbody increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure fixation of conduitsVSAvoidvertical extension of underbody
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment means are integrated directly into the fairing structure, with attachment points formed as part of the fairing itself rather than as separate components extending vertically. Conduits are secured at the fairing plane through these integrated attachment points, eliminating the need for additional vertical extension while maintaining secure fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3735370B1Fairing of a motor vehicle chassis, provided with a release opening for a shackle for attaching a duct to a platform of the chassis
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3735370B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3735370B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3735370B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to an assembly of bottom body elements (2) of a motor vehicle chassis (1), comprising a platform (3) below which there is fastened at least one globally planar (P1) fairing (4), forming between them an underframe (5) of the chassis (1). The platform (3) is provided with at least one shackle (7) which is configured for fastening at least one duct (6) and which extends within the underframe (5) at least in a direction in elevation (E1) perpendicular to the global plane (P1) of the fairing (4). The fairing (4) comprises an opening (9) which extends facing at least the whole of the shackle (7) and which is spaced apart in elevation (E1) from the shackle (7) by a distance (D1) in accordance with a permitted minimum setpoint separation distance in elevation (E1) between the shackle (7) and the fairing (4).