Adaptable Cross Member Assembly for Vehicle Frame Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cross member assemblies for vehicle frames require multiple center members with varying widths to accommodate different rail spacings and thicknesses, leading to increased production costs, logistical complexities, and reduced flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A cross member assembly featuring a center member with adaptable side members and adapters, where the adapter's geometry determines the assembly's width, allowing a single center member to be used across various applications by changing the adapter's structure or geometry, thereby reducing tooling and production costs and simplifying storage and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple center members with various widths are provided to satisfy different rail spacing requirements, then adaptability to different vehicle frame configurations is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cross member assembly is segmented into modular components: a common center member, interchangeable adapters, and side members. The adapter acts as a intermediary element that can be exchanged to change the width configuration, while the center member itself remains standardized. This segmentation allows the system to achieve multiple width configurations without requiring multiple unique center members.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves as an intermediary component between the center member and the side members. By changing the adapter rather than the center member, the system achieves adaptability to different rail spacings. The adapter mediates the connection and determines the effective width of the cross member assembly, allowing a single center member design to serve multiple applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple center members with various widths are provided to accommodate different rail thicknesses and liner configurations, then versatility across market requirements is improved, but production and logistical complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The center member is designed as a universal component that can be used across different vehicle frame configurations. Instead of creating specialized center members for each application, the system uses a single center member design combined with interchangeable adapters that provide the necessary adaptability. This universal approach simplifies manufacturing, reduces inventory requirements, and lowers logistical complexity while still meeting diverse market requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adapters are introduced to enable width adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cross member assembly is designed with dynamic configurability through interchangeable adapters. While the center member and side members remain fixed in design, the adapter can be exchanged to change the assembly width. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to different requirements without permanently altering the fundamental structure of the cross member assembly.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cross member assembly (7) for joining two rails of a vehicle frame, comprising: - a center member (10) having two side ends (13); - a side member (20) for attaching each side end of the center member to the corresponding rail; - an adapter (30) for connecting the center member and the side member; - a fastener (50) for securing the center member (10), the side member (20) and the adapter (30) in an operational position. The adapter (30) has: - a first connecting feature (34) for cooperating with a first connecting part (14) of the center member side end with no freedom of movement along the transverse direction; - a second connecting feature (35) for cooperating with a second connecting part (25) of the side member with no freedom of movement along the transverse direction; so that a width of the cross member assembly (7) is determined.