Electric Vehicle Chassis Transverse Carrier Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrically powered vehicles require unique solutions for component packaging due to differences in external dimensions and couplings compared to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, necessitating innovative chassis designs that accommodate electrochemical energy accumulators or fuel cell stacks.

Innovation Solution

A chassis for electric vehicles featuring a wheel suspension with longitudinal control arms, a battery housing, a transverse carrier with a hollow profile, torsion springs, and electrically controllable actuators that connect the transverse carrier to the torsion springs, allowing for a compact and adaptable design that optimizes space for the propulsion battery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional chassis design is used in electrically powered vehicles, then the packaging of components becomes difficult due to differences in external dimensions and couplings, but redesigning the chassis increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent packaging adaptabilityVSAvoidchassis design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chassis is divided into modular components including a battery housing, transverse carrier, and wheel suspension assemblies. The transverse carrier serves as a separate module that connects the battery housing to the wheel suspension, allowing independent optimization of each component for electric vehicle requirements while simplifying the overall system integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transverse carrier performs multiple functions: it rigidly connects to the battery housing, rotatably supports the longitudinal control arms of the wheel suspension, and provides mounting points for torsion springs and electrically controllable actuators. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the chassis design

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

2Stability of the object's composition

If the transverse carrier rigidly connects to the battery housing and supports wheel suspension components, then structural stability is improved, but the installation space for the electrical energy source becomes constrained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechassis structural stabilityVSAvoidbattery installation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The torsion springs and electrically controllable actuators are disposed within the hollow profile cavity of the transverse carrier. This nesting arrangement allows these suspension components to be housed inside the transverse carrier structure rather than occupying separate external space, thereby preserving maximum installation volume for the battery housing while maintaining structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Volume of moving object

If torsion springs and actuators are disposed within the transverse carrier cavity, then space utilization is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent space utilizationVSAvoidcomponent assembly precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The transverse carrier rotatably supports the longitudinal control arms rather than rigidly fixing them, allowing for dynamic movement and adjustment. The torsion springs provide elastic compliance that accommodates manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion, reducing the stringency of precision requirements while maintaining proper suspension geometry and function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 design achieves a compact and comfortable driving experience by independently stabilizing the wheel suspensions, accommodating the electrical energy source efficiently, and enabling optimal installation space adaptation for electric propulsion systems.

Implementation Method 1

A torsion spring disposed within the cavity connects to at least one of the first and second longitudinal control arms and to said transverse carrier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTorsion spring: Torsion Spring

Implementation Method 2

An electrically controllable actuator disposed within the cavity couples the transverse carrier to the torsion spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrically controllable actuator: Linear Motor

Data Source

PatentUS11440588B2Vehicle chassis for an electrically powered vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.09.13 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC
  • US11440588B2 patent drawing
  • US11440588B2 patent drawing
  • US11440588B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A chassis for an electrically powered vehicle, including a front wheel suspension and a rear wheel suspension, each having longitudinal control arms arranged on both sides and a torsion spring actively connected to the longitudinal control arms. The chassis includes a battery housing receiving a propulsion battery. A front transverse carrier extends between the respective longitudinal control arms of the front wheel suspension, and a rear transverse carrier extends between the respective longitudinal control arms of the rear wheel suspension. The respective transverse carriers are rigidly connected to the battery housing and couple the longitudinal control arms and the torsion spring.