Hybrid Vehicle Rear Floor Layout for Wheelchair Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current passenger vehicles are not mass-produced to accommodate physically limited passengers, requiring aftermarket modifications such as ramps and lifts, which are not universally suitable for all vehicles, especially for hybrid vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid passenger vehicle with an arc-shaped rear wall and modified rear suspension assembly, along with a low-profile fuel tank, to create additional floor space and accessibility for wheelchair users, while maintaining structural integrity and fuel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional rear wall and rear suspension assembly are used in a passenger vehicle, then the vehicle maintains its original structural configuration and manufacturing simplicity, but insufficient floor space is created for wheelchair accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing the conventional flat rear wall with an arc-shaped rear wall that curves forward. This curved configuration creates additional floor space in the rear portion of the vehicle body, enabling wheelchair accessibility while maintaining a compact overall vehicle structure. The arc-shaped design allows the wheelchair to be positioned within the curved space without requiring a larger vehicle footprint.
2Ease of operation
If the rear suspension assembly is positioned forward to create floor space, then wheelchair accessibility is improved, but the vehicle's structural integrity and suspension performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the spatial conflict by utilizing the vertical dimension and curved space creation. The arc-shaped rear wall curves forward to create a three-dimensional curved floor space, allowing the wheelchair to be accommodated within this curved volume. This dimensional approach creates accessibility space without requiring the rear suspension assembly to be positioned forward, thereby maintaining structural integrity while achieving wheelchair accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If a high-profile fuel tank is used to maintain fuel capacity, then fuel storage is adequate, but floor space for wheelchair accessibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The arc-shaped rear wall creates a curved floor space that allows the fuel tank to be positioned within this curved configuration. The curved space efficiently accommodates both the wheelchair accessibility requirement and the fuel tank volume requirement, as the curved geometry optimizes the use of available space in the rear portion of the vehicle body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by positioning the fuel tank within the curved floor space created by the arc-shaped rear wall. The fuel tank is nested within the curved configuration, allowing it to occupy the space efficiently without interfering with the wheelchair accessibility area. This nested arrangement enables both functions to coexist within the constrained vehicle volume.
4Ease of operation
If the rear suspension assembly is disassembled and repositioned rearward, then floor space for wheelchair access is created, but manufacturing and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the rear suspension assembly with extended mounting arms that have multiple mounting holes positioned along their length. This preliminary design allows the suspension assembly to be flexibly positioned at different locations (forward, center, or rearward) during assembly. The pre-designed mounting infrastructure enables rearward repositioning of the suspension assembly to create floor space, while simplifying the assembly process through the standardized mounting interface with multiple hole positions.
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid passenger vehicle includes a chassis supported by at least one front wheel and at least one rear wheel, a body coupled to the chassis including at least one door, and a vehicle floor coupled to the chassis. The body defines an interior space configured to be occupied by at least one passenger when operating the vehicle, and the vehicle floor has a front end and a rear end. A rear wall is coupled to the rear end of the vehicle floor such that the rear wall defines a rearmost boundary of the vehicle floor. A rear suspension assembly is coupled to the chassis. The rear wall is arc-shaped, and the rear suspension assembly is located rearward of the rear wall.