Drop Frame Insert for Low-Floor Passenger Vehicle Chassis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modifying high-profile vehicle chassis to a low-profile configuration for easier passenger access is costly and compromises vehicle strength, particularly when accommodating passengers with disabilities.
Innovation Solution
A drop frame insert system that includes longitudinally-extending rails and lateral cross-members, reinforced at the rear ends, is integrated into the vehicle chassis by cutting and removing central sections of the OEM rails, allowing the drop frame to be rigidly secured in place, thus lowering the vehicle's profile while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the chassis frame is lowered from high-profile to low-profile configuration to facilitate passenger loading and unloading, then passenger accessibility is improved, but vehicle strength is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The frame modification is segmented into three distinct sections: a front high-profile section that maintains original strength characteristics, a dropped middle section that enables low-floor passenger access, and a rear high-profile section that preserves structural integrity. This segmentation allows the vehicle to achieve low-profile configuration for passenger loading while maintaining strength in critical areas through the preserved front and rear frame sections.
2Shape
If significant modifications are made to the ladder frame and chassis to lower the passenger cab, then low-profile configuration is achieved, but modification cost and effort increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The solution extracts only the central portion of the ladder frame that requires lowering, removing this specific section and replacing it with a dropped frame section. The front and rear portions of the original frame are preserved and reused, eliminating the need to modify the entire chassis. This selective extraction approach achieves the low-profile configuration while significantly reducing modification costs and effort compared to comprehensive frame redesign.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the passenger cab is lowered to accommodate wheelchair loading and unloading, then accessibility for disabled passengers is improved, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is designed with different vertical heights at different locations to meet specific functional requirements. The middle section is lowered locally to accommodate wheelchair loading and unloading, while the front and rear sections maintain their original high-profile configuration to preserve structural integrity. This local quality adjustment enables the vehicle to be adaptable for disabled passenger access without compromising overall reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle for transporting passengers. The vehicle comprises a chassis including a front axle, a rear axle, and a frame that includes a front section that supports the front axle and a rear section that supports the rear axle. The vehicle further comprises a drop frame insert located between the front section of the frame and the rear section of the frame. A top surface of the drop frame insert is positioned lower than a top surface of the frame, and at least a portion of a bottom surface of the drop frame insert is generally coplanar with a bottom surface of the frame.