Elevated Center Frame Layout for Stiff Vehicle Body Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging to enhance vehicle body stiffness while maintaining flexibility in the layout of components and devices within the vehicle cabin.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle body structure featuring a center frame positioned higher than the floor panel, with an air-conditioning system that includes an air distribution portion above the center frame and under-feet ducts extending downward through the vehicle-width-direction outer side of the center frame, allowing for increased stiffness and improved layout flexibility by freeing up space below the center frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a reinforcement member is provided in the vehicle cabin to increase vehicle body stiffness, then vehicle body stiffness is improved, but the flexibility of layout of components and devices deteriorates due to limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The center frame is positioned higher than the floor panel, transitioning from a conventional floor-level reinforcement to an elevated structure. This vertical displacement creates a hollow space between the floor panel and the center frame, which can be utilized for component placement, thereby maintaining layout flexibility while achieving stiffness enhancement through the elevated frame structure
Solution Approach 2:
The center frame serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural reinforcement member to increase vehicle body stiffness, simultaneously creates a hollow space for component placement, and integrates with the air-conditioning system by positioning the air distribution portion above it. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the reinforcement structure itself a space-creating element rather than just a space-consuming component
2Adaptability or versatility
If the air distribution portion is positioned above the center frame, then layout flexibility is improved by freeing up space below the center frame, but the air distribution system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The under-feet duct is positioned to extend downward through the vehicle-width-direction outer side of the center frame, nesting the air distribution pathway within the existing structural boundaries. This allows the air-conditioning system to utilize the vertical space created by the elevated center frame without requiring additional complex routing, as the duct follows the natural contours of the frame structure
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration increases vehicle body stiffness and enhances passenger comfort by providing flexible layout options and efficient air distribution, while also protecting heat-sensitive control devices from direct sunlight and heat-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
an under-feet duct that guides, to a lower side, air-conditioned air sent from the air distribution portion. The under-feet duct extends downward from an upper side of the center frame through a vehicle-width-direction outer side of the center frame
Data Source
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AI summary
[Problem] To improve flexibility of layout in a vehicle cabin while increasing vehicle body stiffness. [Means for Solution] A vehicle-body structure A includes a floor panel 41, a center frame 80 disposed to be higher than and away from the floor panel 41, and an air-conditioning device 120. The air-conditioning device 120 includes an air distribution portion 123 that is positioned higher than a front portion of the center frame 80 and distributes generated air-conditioned air to each portion of an occupant space, and under-feet ducts 124A and 124B that guide air-conditioned air to a lower side. The under-feet ducts 124A and 124B each extend downward from the upper side of the center frame 80 through a vehicle-width-direction outer side of the center frame 80.