Vehicle Floor Frame Reinforcement for Dual-Side Ramp Stiffness

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Solution Overview

Problem

The introduction of median bus lane systems and island-type bus stops requires buses to have pair of doors and ramps on both sides, which reduces the stiffness of the vehicle body due to the removal of portions of the vehicle floor frame for ramp mounting.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle floor frame design that includes a center frame, a rear frame, a connection unit with structural members and a reinforcing member, and load members to improve stiffness by uniformly distributing loads and reducing stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a pair of doors and a pair of ramps are provided on both sides of the vehicle for island-type bus stops, then ingress and egress convenience is improved, but stiffness of the vehicle body is significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveingress and egress convenienceVSAvoidstiffness of the vehicle body

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The floor frame is divided into multiple functional components: center frame members (first and second center frame members), rear frame members (first and second rear frame members), connection units, and support frames. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively maintaining overall structural stiffness despite the presence of ramps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the floor frame are designed with different structural characteristics. The center frame members and connection units have enhanced stiffness properties to compensate for the areas where ramps are installed. The support frames provide localized reinforcement at critical positions, ensuring that the overall vehicle body stiffness is maintained even with door and ramp openings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If portions of the vehicle floor frame are removed to mount the pair of ramps, then ramp installation is enabled, but stiffness of the vehicle body is significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveramp installation capabilityVSAvoidstiffness of the vehicle body

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The floor frame structure employs asymmetric reinforcement strategies. The connection units and support frames are positioned and designed with different geometries to compensate specifically for the areas where ramps are installed. This asymmetric design allows the structure to maintain stiffness despite the non-uniform removal of floor frame portions for ramp mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The floor frame is designed with pre-reinforced connection units and support frames that are positioned to compensate for the stiffness loss before ramps are installed. The structural members are configured in advance with enhanced geometry and positioning to maintain overall stiffness even after portions are removed for ramp mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250187669A1Vehicle floor frame

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

An embodiment vehicle floor frame includes a center frame, a rear frame disposed behind the center frame, a connection unit connecting the center frame and the rear frame, a pair of support frames disposed on both sides of the connection unit between the center frame and the rear frame, a front load member connecting the center frame and a front portion of the connection unit, and a rear load member connecting the rear frame and a rear portion of the connection unit.