Longitudinal Strut Load Path for EV Structural Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrically driven motor vehicles lack sufficient structural rigidity and passive safety due to the absence of a block-forming internal combustion engine and variable speed transmission, necessitating additional stiffening elements that increase weight and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A supporting frame with longitudinal struts connected to an impact plate on driving components, forming a load path and block structure, which uses existing components to enhance stability with minimal technical complexity and weight, including a rib structure on strut ends and oblique cross-members for further stiffening and energy absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If additional stiffening elements are added to the vehicle body, then structural rigidity is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the stiffening function with existing structural components (longitudinal members, struts, and driving components) to form an integrated load-bearing structure. The longitudinal struts connect the longitudinal members to the driving component, merging the supporting frame with the electric drive assembly to achieve stiffening without adding separate heavy components.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving component serves multiple functions: it provides the driving function for the vehicle while simultaneously acting as a stiffening element and load-bearing structure. The longitudinal members and struts form a multi-functional assembly that both supports the vehicle body and absorbs impact forces, eliminating the need for dedicated stiffening components.
2Strength
If additional stiffening elements are added to the vehicle body, then structural rigidity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the stiffening structure with the existing supporting frame and driving component assembly. The longitudinal struts are fixed to both the longitudinal members and the driving component, merging these elements into a unified load-bearing structure that provides stiffening without requiring separate additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing driving component and supporting frame elements are made multi-functional, serving both their primary purposes and providing structural stiffening. The longitudinal members and struts form a block structure that simultaneously supports the vehicle body and absorbs impact forces, reducing the need for separate stiffening elements.
3Reliability
If a block structure is formed by driving components, then passive safety is improved, but material consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the longitudinal members, longitudinal struts, and driving component into an integrated block structure. This combination creates a rigid load-bearing assembly that forms a protective block around the driving component, improving passive safety without requiring additional materials beyond what is already used in the supporting frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving component and supporting frame elements serve dual purposes: providing mechanical function and forming a protective block structure. The longitudinal struts and members create a load path that both supports the vehicle and absorbs impact energy, achieving passive safety enhancement without increasing material consumption.
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
The solution provides enhanced structural integrity and energy absorption in electric vehicles, reducing the risk of stability failures and weight increase, while maintaining low technical complexity and material usage, thus improving passive safety and stability during impacts.
Implementation Method 1
The longitudinal members of the vehicle body are connected to the impact plate via the longitudinal struts, and the impact plate is arranged on a driving component of the motor vehicle to form a load path
Implementation Method 2
The respective second end of each longitudinal strut preferably has a rib structure that is supported on the impact plate. Thus, the rigidity of the longitudinal struts in the region of the impact plate can be increased further
Implementation Method 3
The longitudinal struts preferably are connected to each other by at least one cross member that extends obliquely or perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction. As a result, further stiffening of the longitudinal struts can be achieved and at the same time buckling of the longitudinal struts toward the vehicle interior can be avoided
Implementation Method 4
The impact plate preferably is a two-dimensional element with a surface of the impact plate extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. As a result, in the event of an impact of the motor vehicle, the impact energy is transmitted optimally in the longitudinal direction to the driving component
Data Source
AI summary
A supporting frame for a motor vehicle has two parallel longitudinal members oriented in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle and form part of the body. Two longitudinal struts are oriented at least partially in the longitudinal direction and are fixed at first ends to a contact section of the longitudinal members. The longitudinal struts are connected at a second end opposite the first end to an impact plate that is arranged on at least one driving component of the motor vehicle to form a load path between the contact section of the longitudinal members and the at least one driving component.