Self-Contained EV Platform Layout for Modular 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 components are disposed below the drive wheels, allowing for a modular and adaptable configuration that minimizes interconnections with the vehicle body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If functional components are integrated into a stand-alone vehicle platform, then design flexibility and manufacturing efficiency are improved, but the footprint of mechanical systems must be reduced to a level that allows true independence from vehicle body design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical systems with electric propulsion components. Electric motors and battery systems have significantly smaller footprints compared to internal combustion engine systems, enabling the functional components to be contained within a compact platform that does not extend into the vehicle body, thus achieving true design independence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent redistributes mechanical systems across multiple dimensions and locations within the platform. By placing propulsion systems in front and rear portions, energy storage in the center, and suspension at corners, the design maximizes spatial efficiency and keeps all components within platform boundaries without requiring vertical extension into the body
2Strength
If functional components extend into and interconnect with the vehicle body, then structural support and system integration are simplified, but design flexibility and manufacturing efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vehicle into two independent parts: a self-contained platform with all functional components and a separate vehicle body. The platform includes a frame structure with propulsion systems, energy storage, and suspension, while the body is attached without requiring functional system interconnections, enabling parallel manufacturing and assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal platform that can support multiple different vehicle body configurations. The standardized frame structure with integrated functional systems serves as a multi-functional base that can accommodate various body styles, improving manufacturing efficiency through platform standardization while maintaining design flexibility
3Ease of manufacture
If a compact platform design with all components contained within platform boundaries is implemented, then design flexibility and manufacturing efficiency are improved, but traditional design elements like hoods and trunks must be eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts traditional body-mounted functional systems (engine, transmission, cooling) from the vehicle body and relocates them entirely within the platform. This extraction eliminates the need for hoods, trunks, and other body extensions that were required to house these systems, while the standardized platform allows various body designs to be attached without such constraints
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.