Golf Car Undercover Segmentation for Impact Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle designs face difficulties in easily attaching or detaching the undercover and absorbing impact from below, leading to potential damage during such events.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle frame configuration with a pair of main frames, first, second, and third cross members, and an undercover with front and rear cover portions that are easily assembled and disassembled, allowing for upward movement to absorb impacts, and incorporating water drainage holes and an exhaust duct for noise attenuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the bottom frame plate is integral with the rear frame and the bottom cover plate is supported by the rear frame, then the structural strength is improved, but the ease of assembly and disassembly deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The undercover is divided into front cover portion and rear cover portion that can be detached from the frame portion. The front cover portion can be separated from the front cross member and main frames, and the rear cover portion can be separated from the rear cross member and main frames, enabling easy assembly and disassembly while maintaining structural integrity when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover portions are designed with engagement structures that can be preliminarily positioned on the frame portion before final fastening. The front cover portion engages with the front cross member and main frames, and the rear cover portion engages with the rear cross member and main frames, facilitating simplified assembly operations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the undercover is fixed rigidly to the frame portion, then the structural stability is improved, but the impact absorption capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The undercover is designed with movable cover portions that can dynamically respond to impact forces. The front cover portion and rear cover portion can move relative to the frame portion when subjected to impact from below, allowing the structure to absorb impact energy while maintaining overall structural stability through the engagement structures.
3Ease of repair
If the undercover is designed for easy detachment, then the ease of maintenance is improved, but the structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The undercover is segmented into detachable front and rear cover portions that can be easily removed for maintenance access to the engine room, while the engagement structures ensure that when assembled, the cover portions provide adequate structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement structures are designed to provide preliminary structural support when the cover portions are assembled, ensuring that even during maintenance operations, the frame portion maintains its structural integrity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A golf car 10 includes a frame portion 16 which has main frames 46a, 46b and cross members 54, 56, 58; an undercover 90 which has a front cover portion 92 and a rear cover portion 94 and is supported by the frame portion 16; and an engine room S which has an underside defined by the undercover 90. The front cover portion 92 has a rear end region provided with pawl portions 188a through 188d. The rear cover portion 94 has a front end region provided with pawl portions 218a through 218c. All of the pawl portions are engaged with the cross member 56. The front cover portion 92 is fixed to the cross member 54 and the front frames 48a, 48b with fasteners 222, 224, whereas the rear cover portion 94 has a rear end region fixed to the rear frames 50a, 50b with fasteners 226. The front cover portion 92 and the rear cover portion 94 include water drainage holes.