Vehicle Frame Assembly Load Path for Lowered Side Sills
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increased height difference between the floor cross member and the vehicle body side sill reinforcement structure in purpose-built vehicles weakens the structure's ability to withstand lateral collisions, as the sliding door configuration lowers the vehicle body side sills, compromising torsional rigidity and load distribution.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle frame assembly with an effective connecting structure between vehicle body cross members, side sills, and support members forms a load path for lateral collisions, distributing excessive loads to various members, enhancing torsional rigidity and stability by connecting the vehicle body cross members, side sills, and support members to the floor, and incorporating a chassis frame with a battery pack positioned to reduce load on the battery during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle body side sills are disposed lower than the floor cross member to improve boarding convenience and baggage loading, then the convenience of boarding and loading is improved, but the height difference between the floor cross member and the vehicle body side sill reinforcement structure increases, causing the lateral collision resistance structure to become weak
Solution Approach 1:
The support member extends in multiple directions (longitudinal, lateral, and vertical dimensions) to connect the floor cross member with the vehicle body side sill reinforcement structure, creating a three-dimensional load transfer path that compensates for the height difference caused by the lowered side sills
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is divided into multiple extension ends that connect to different structural components (floor cross member, side sill reinforcement, and longitudinal members), distributing the lateral collision load across multiple connection points rather than a single location
2Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle body side sills are lowered for sliding door application, then the sliding door function is enabled, but the torsional rigidity of the vehicle structure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support member creates a multi-dimensional rigid connection between the floor cross member and side sill reinforcement structure, adding vertical and lateral support elements that compensate for the reduced torsional rigidity caused by lowering the side sills
Solution Approach 2:
The support member is pre-installed to establish a rigid load path before lateral collision or torsional stress occurs, ensuring that the structural integrity is maintained from the outset rather than relying on post-failure reinforcement
3Shape
If the height difference between floor cross member and side sill reinforcement is increased, then the sliding door configuration is achieved, but the load path for lateral collision is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The support member acts as an intermediary component that bridges the height gap between the floor cross member and the vehicle body side sill reinforcement structure, providing a direct load transfer path that maintains reliability despite the increased vertical distance
Solution Approach 2:
The support member utilizes multiple spatial dimensions (extending longitudinally, laterally, and vertically) to connect components separated by height difference, creating a robust load path that maintains structural reliability while accommodating the sliding door configuration
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment vehicle frame assembly includes a plurality of vehicle body cross members disposed at a vehicle body floor of a vehicle and extending in a width direction of the vehicle, a vehicle body side sill disposed outside the vehicle in an outward direction of the vehicle body cross members, connected to the vehicle body cross members, and extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a support member including extension ends extending in multiple directions from a center of the support member, each of the extension ends connecting at least one of the plurality of vehicle body cross members to the vehicle body side sill, wherein the plurality of vehicle body cross members, the vehicle body side sill, and the support member are connected to one another so as to define a load path for a lateral collision of the vehicle.