Rear Axle Crossmember Support Segmentation for Height Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rear axle crossmember systems require multiple references and adjustments for different vehicle heights, leading to increased complexity and costs due to the need for varied crosspiece supports and assembly processes.

Innovation Solution

A common rear axle crossmember system with a support that can be adjusted to accommodate different vehicle heights, featuring a fastener for the transverse guide bar, allowing for a standard crossmember design that maintains the horizontal position of the guide bar, and utilizing tubular inserts and spacers for secure attachment, enabling a standardized assembly process across various vehicle types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a support welded to the crosspiece is used to accommodate different vehicle heights, then adaptability to different vehicle types is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple support heights and references

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different vehicle heightsVSAvoidcomplexity of multiple support heights
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support is divided into a common lower fixing part (identical for all vehicle types) and a variable upper part (different heights). This segmentation allows the lower part to be standardized while the upper part adapts to different vehicle heights, reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A single common crosspiece design with a standardized lower support fixing is made universal across different vehicle types. The support structure is designed to accommodate multiple vehicle height references through a unified assembly process, eliminating the need for vehicle-specific crosspiece designs.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If different crosspiece references with particular support heights are provided for each vehicle type, then adaptability to different vehicle heights is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different vehicle heightsVSAvoidprecision of support height variations
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support height variation is segmented into a standardized lower fixing portion and a variable upper portion. The lower portion maintains consistent manufacturing specifications across all vehicle types, while the upper portion's height variations are managed through standardized assembly procedures rather than complex manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple crosspiece designs with varied support heights are manufactured, then adaptability to different vehicle heights is improved, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different vehicle heightsVSAvoidproduction cost of multiple crosspiece variants
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A universal common crosspiece design with standardized lower support fixing is used across all vehicle types. This eliminates the need to manufacture multiple vehicle-specific crosspiece variants, significantly reducing production costs while maintaining adaptability through the variable upper support portion.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure is segmented into a common lower fixing part (produced once for all vehicle types) and a variable upper part. This segmentation allows economies of scale in manufacturing the standardized lower portion while still accommodating different vehicle heights through the variable upper portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If a standardized common crossmember is used for all vehicle types, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability to different vehicle heights deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestandardization of crossmember productionVSAvoidadaptability to different vehicle heights
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is segmented into a standardized lower fixing part (identical for all vehicle types, enabling common production) and a variable upper part (different heights for different vehicle types). This segmentation maintains manufacturing standardization while preserving adaptability to different vehicle heights.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support height is made dynamically adjustable through the variable upper portion, allowing a single standardized common crosspiece to adapt to different vehicle height requirements. The assembly process accommodates different support heights while maintaining a unified base design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3668733B1Method for manufacturing cross-members for motor vehicles with a transverse guide bar
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3668733B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3668733B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method for manufacturing a rear axle cross-member system for types of motor vehicle comprising a common cross-member (2) provided with a support (14) facing upwards, the support (14) comprising, in the upper portion, an attachment (16) adapted to receive the end of a guide bar (22) arranged in the transverse direction, each vehicle type having a particular reference height for the cross-member (2) with respect to the body of the vehicle, said method being notable in that, for each vehicle type, a height is determined for the attachment (16) with respect to the cross-member (2), the longitudinal axis of the guide rod thereby assuming a horizontal position, and a support (14) forming an independent part is provided, said part, once attached to the common cross-member (2), providing the height of the attachment (16).