Vehicle Frame Load Distribution via Final Drive Housing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles, particularly all-terrain vehicles, face challenges in managing load and energy inputs from uneven terrain, leading to potential deformation of the passenger area due to insufficient load and energy management capabilities in existing frame designs.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle frame assembly with a load and energy management system that distributes and attenuates loads and energy throughout the frame, using a front frame assembly connected to a main frame assembly via a final drive assembly and suspension brackets, allowing controlled deformation to prevent passenger area distortion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid frame assembly is used to withstand load and energy inputs from uneven terrain, then the frame strength and durability are improved, but the passenger area may deform under excessive loads
Solution Approach 1:
The frame assembly is divided into multiple segments including front frame members, rear frame members, and a passenger area frame, allowing different sections to independently manage loads and maintain overall structural integrity while protecting the passenger area
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the frame assembly have different structural properties - the front and rear frame members are designed to be more rigid for withstanding terrain loads, while the passenger area frame is designed with appropriate flexibility to prevent deformation, creating localized quality differences throughout the structure
2Reliability
If stiff frame structures are provided around suspension components to ensure off-road durability, then the suspension support capability is improved, but the overall frame complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame members are designed to simultaneously perform multiple functions - supporting suspension components, withstanding terrain loads, and maintaining passenger area stability - thereby reducing the need for separate structural elements and simplifying the overall frame complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The front and rear frame members serve multiple purposes including structural support, suspension mounting, and energy management, making them multi-functional components that reduce overall frame complexity while enhancing off-road durability
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting assembly for a suspension and wheel assembly of a vehicle can include a pair of frame members, a final drive assembly, and a pair of suspension brackets. The frame members can be spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction of the vehicle and can extend upwardly along a vertical direction of the vehicle. The final drive assembly can extend between the frame members. Each of the suspension brackets can connect a respective suspension member to a respective one of the frame members. The suspension brackets can be connected to the frame members and to the final drive assembly such that a lateral load input to one of the suspension brackets is transferred to a different one of the suspension brackets through the final drive housing, and then to the respective one of the frame members to which the different one of the suspension brackets is connected.