Self-Contained EV Platform Layout for Modular Vehicle Bodies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric vehicle platforms incorporate functional components that extend into and interconnect with the vehicle body, limiting design flexibility and requiring redesigns for changes in vehicle features, despite advancements in electric motor and battery technologies.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained vehicle platform with a frame structure that houses propulsion, suspension, and energy storage systems within a generally flat planar structure, with components like drive motors and batteries positioned beneath the drive wheels, allowing for integration with various vehicle bodies without significant redesign.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If functional components are located in the vehicle platform, then the number of interconnections between body and platform is reduced, but the footprint of functional components cannot be sufficiently reduced due to size requirements of mechanical systems
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle platform is divided into distinct functional zones: a first vehicle platform for supporting propulsion components (motor, transmission, differential) and a second vehicle platform for supporting energy storage components (battery pack). This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently, reducing the overall footprint while maintaining all necessary interconnections within the platform structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vertical stacking to arrange components in three-dimensional space rather than spreading them out horizontally. The motor, transmission, and differential are positioned vertically above the battery pack, effectively using the vertical dimension to reduce the horizontal footprint of the functional components while keeping all connections contained within the platform.
2Area of stationary object
If electric motor and battery technologies are advanced, then the footprint of drive train components is reduced, but most electric vehicle platforms still require functional elements to extend into and interconnect with the body
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle platform is designed as a universal base structure that can support multiple different vehicle body configurations. The standardized platform includes all necessary functional components (propulsion and energy storage systems) integrated within its boundaries, allowing different bodies to be mounted without requiring functional elements to extend into the body. This multi-functional design enables the same platform to serve various vehicle types while maintaining design flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If functional components are integrated into the vehicle platform, then design flexibility is enhanced, but the vehicle platform becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated vehicle platform is segmented into distinct functional zones: a first vehicle platform for propulsion components and a second vehicle platform for energy storage components. This segmentation reduces overall complexity by allowing each zone to be designed and optimized independently while maintaining their integrated relationship, thus enhancing design flexibility without excessive complexity.
Data Source
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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.