Self-Contained EV Platform Layout for Flexible Body Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric vehicle platforms often require functional components to extend into and interconnect with the vehicle body, limiting design flexibility and efficiency due to the size requirements of mechanical systems, despite advancements in electric motor and battery technologies.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained vehicle platform design with a frame structure, propulsion system, suspension systems, and energy storage system integrated within a generally flat planar structure, where all component systems are disposed within the boundaries of the frame structure without substantial parts extending above the drive wheels, allowing for minimal interconnections with the vehicle body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If functional components are integrated into a self-contained vehicle platform, then design flexibility and manufacturing efficiency are improved, but the footprint of mechanical systems must be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional internal combustion engine mechanical systems with electric motor and battery systems. This substitution dramatically reduces the footprint of mechanical components, enabling integration into a compact self-contained platform that does not extend into the vehicle body, thereby achieving both reduced area and improved design flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the propulsion system, energy storage system, suspension systems, and frame structure into a single integrated self-contained vehicle platform. All functional components are combined within the boundaries of the platform structure, eliminating the need for separate mechanical systems and reducing overall footprint while improving manufacturability
2Strength
If functional components extend into and interconnect with the vehicle body, then structural support is improved, but design efficiency and flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vehicle into two independent parts: a self-contained platform containing all functional components, and a separate vehicle body. The platform includes a frame structure with all mechanical and electrical systems integrated, allowing the body to be attached without requiring interconnections for structural support, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining structural integrity through the platform's self-sufficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts all functional components (propulsion, energy storage, suspension) from the vehicle body and places them within the self-contained platform. This extraction eliminates the need for functional systems to extend into or interconnect with the body, improving design flexibility and manufacturing efficiency while the platform's frame structure provides independent structural support
3Power
If traditional mechanical systems are used, then power and performance are maintained, but the footprint and complexity of the platform increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex traditional mechanical propulsion systems (engine, transmission, cooling) with simpler electric motor and battery systems. This substitution maintains or improves power output while dramatically reducing the number of moving parts and system complexity, enabling all components to fit within a compact self-contained platform without extending into the vehicle body
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicle platforms, and systems, subsystems, and components thereof are described. A self-contained vehicle platform or chassis incorporating substantially all of the functional systems, subsystems and components (e.g., mechanical, electrical, structural, etc.) necessary for an operative vehicle. Functional components may include at least energy storage/conversion, propulsion, suspension and wheels, steering, crash protection, and braking systems. Functional components are standardized such that vehicle platforms may be interconnected with a variety of vehicle body designs (also referred to in the art as “top hats”) with minimal or no modification to the functional linkages (e.g., mechanical, structural, electrical, etc.) therebetween. Configurations of functional components are incorporated within the vehicle platform such that there is minimal or no physical overlap between the functional components and the area defined by the vehicle body. Specific functional components of such vehicle platforms, and the relative placement of the various functional components, to allow for implementation of a self-contained vehicle platform are also provided.