Vehicle Front End Subframe Adjustment Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle front end connections to auxiliary frames do not allow for changes to the wheel suspension without modifying the front end structure, limiting adaptability and retrofitting capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A connection system with an adjustment device between the front end and subframe, featuring a subframe-side adjustment unit housed on a detachable subframe-mounted housing, which can shorten upon high force application, enabling wheel suspension changes without altering the front end structure, and integrating active stabilizer components within the housing for body stabilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the front end structure is modified to accommodate wheel suspension changes, then wheel suspension adaptability is improved, but front end structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel suspension adaptabilityVSAvoidfront end structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The front end structure is segmented into a fixed front end portion and a movable subframe portion. The subframe can be independently adjusted relative to the front end, allowing wheel suspension changes without modifying the main front end structure. This segmentation enables adaptability while preserving structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment functionality is extracted from the front end structure and placed on the subframe side. The subframe includes integrated adjustment means that can modify wheel suspension parameters independently, removing the need to alter the front end structure for suspension adaptations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If the adjustment device is integrated directly into the front end, then structural compactness is improved, but retrofitting capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural compactnessVSAvoidretrofitting capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment device is designed with dynamic, adjustable components on the subframe that can be modified or replaced independently. This dynamic design allows the subframe to be retrofitted with different adjustment mechanisms for various wheel suspension configurations without changing the fixed front end structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The subframe is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple wheel suspension types and configurations. The adjustment means on the subframe can be adapted for different suspension requirements, enabling a single front end design to support multiple retrofitting scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If the subframe-side adjustment unit is non-positively fastened to the housing, then ease of assembly is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment unit is segmented from the housing as a separate, independently fastenable component. This segmentation allows for simple, non-positive fastening methods (such as friction fits or snap connections) that enable easy assembly while maintaining sufficient connection reliability for the application requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3079969B1Attachment of a front end of a motor vehicle to a sub-frame of the motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.02.21 AUDI AG
  • EP3079969B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to the attachment of a front end (10) of a motor vehicle to a sub-frame (22) of the motor vehicle, in which the front end (10) is attached to the sub-frame (22) by an adjusting device (20) arranged between front and (10) and sub-frame (22), as viewed in the motor vehicle longitudinal direction (FL), the adjusting device (20) comprising an adjusting unit (20a, 20b) on the front end side and the sub-frame side, and the adjusting device (20) being constructed in such a way that, in the event of an appropriately high accident-induced application of force, the adjusting device (20) can be shortened, as viewed in the motor vehicle longitudinal direction (FL). The invention is characterized in that the adjusting unit (20b) on the sub-frame side of the adjusting device (20) is arranged on a housing (24) mounted on the sub-frame (22).