Adjustable Wheelbase Heel Board with Variable Extensions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor vehicle body designs with modular architectures require multiple heel boards of varying lengths to accommodate different vehicle variants, which complicates manufacturing and increases the risk of deformation during side impacts.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle body with an adjustable wheelbase featuring a modular heel board and extensions that can be stamped in different materials and thicknesses, allowing for variable coverage and enhanced impact resistance by partially overlapping the heel board, enabling a single heel board to adapt to multiple vehicle versions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a modular body architecture with variable heel board lengths is used to accommodate different vehicle variants, then adaptability to different body lengths is improved, but device complexity increases due to requiring multiple heel boards
Solution Approach 1:
The heel board is designed as a universal component that can function with multiple vehicle body lengths. Instead of creating different heel boards for different variants, a single heel board design is used across all variants, achieving multi-functionality. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining adaptability through a standardized interface while reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the material grade and thickness of the extensions rather than changing the heel board itself. The extensions are made from materials with different mechanical properties (higher strength, higher elasticity) and varying thicknesses to compensate for different body lengths and impact scenarios. This allows a single heel board design to adapt to multiple configurations through parameter changes in the extensions.
2Ease of manufacture
If the heel board is made from a single sheet of metal with variable length for each version, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the need for multiple heel boards increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The heel board is designed as a universal stamped component that serves all vehicle variants. A single heel board stamping tooling produces one standard heel board that fits all body lengths, eliminating the need for multiple specialized heel boards. This maintains ease of manufacture through single-sheet stamping while reducing device complexity by standardizing the component across all variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution segments the body reinforcement function into two parts: the standardized heel board and the variable extensions. The heel board itself remains a simple, universal stamped piece, while the extensions (which vary in material and thickness) provide the adaptive reinforcement needed for different body lengths. This segmentation maintains manufacturing simplicity for the heel board while achieving adaptability through the extensions.
3Strength
If extensions with different materials and thicknesses are used to cover the heel board, then impact resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the material grade and thickness of the extensions at different locations and for different vehicle variants. High-strength, high-elasticity materials with greater thickness are used in regions requiring enhanced impact resistance, while maintaining simpler specifications where less reinforcement is needed. This localized optimization improves overall impact resistance without requiring complete redesign of all components.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution uses composite material strategies by combining the standard heel board material with extensions made from materials having different mechanical properties. The extensions utilize materials with higher strength and higher elasticity ratings than the heel board itself, creating a composite structure that optimizes impact resistance. This material differentiation is managed through parameter changes rather than design complexity.
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
A body shell (2) of a motor vehicle (1) with an adjustable wheelbase, this body shell comprising: - a front unit (3) comprising a front floor (6) extended by a rear floor (7); - a rear unit (4) secured to the front unit and comprising a heel board (26), fixed to a vertical edge (24) of the rear unit, the body shell comprising two extensions (27, 28), distinct from the heel board, mounted on the rear floor and a horizontal edge (25) of the rear unit, in contact with the heel board and each comprising a lip (29, 30) able to cover part of the heel board.