Integrated Side Sill Frame Reduces Vehicle Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Frame type vehicles, when applied to monocoque designs, often increase the vehicle's height from the ground level, contradicting the low-profile requirements of monocoque vehicles, which aim to reduce height and improve roll performance and style.
Innovation Solution
The frame is integrated into the side sills of the vehicle, with side frames positioned higher than the center floor panel, and reinforced panels are used to form closed spaces that reduce the frame's protrusion and increase rigidity, allowing the vehicle to maintain a low profile while enhancing safety and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a frame is applied to a monocoque type vehicle, then the structural advantages of frame type vehicles are obtained, but the height from the ground level increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is merged with the side sills of the vehicle body, integrating the frame members into the existing body structure rather than adding them as separate external components. This combining approach allows the frame to provide structural strength while remaining within the contours of the side sills, thus maintaining a low profile and not increasing the overall height from ground level
Solution Approach 2:
The frame members are nested within the side sill structure, with frame rails positioned inside the side sill cavities and connected to the body structure. This nesting arrangement allows the frame to be contained within the existing body envelope, providing frame-type structural benefits without protruding outward to increase vehicle height
2Length of stationary object
If the frame size is reduced to fit the vehicle, then the height from ground level is reduced, but the rigidity of the frame decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Reinforcement panels are added at specific locations where the frame members connect to the side sills and body structure, providing localized stiffness enhancement. These reinforcement panels are strategically positioned at critical stress points such as the inner and outer sides of the side sills, allowing the frame to maintain high rigidity despite the reduced overall size and integrated configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The frame structure combines the frame members with reinforcement panels to create a composite structural system. The reinforcement panels, attached to the inner and outer sides of the side sills, work together with the frame rails to form a rigid composite structure that maintains high stiffness and strength while keeping the overall frame size reduced to fit within the vehicle's side sill envelope
Data Source
AI summary
According to a vehicle V equipped with a passenger frame having a small height from the ground level of an embodiment of the invention, the vehicle is equipped with a passenger frame F, to have a height (vehicle height) from the ground level smaller than a vehicle equipped with a common frame F′ that is disposed at a distance from side sills S and side frames f of the passenger frame F of the structure are inserted in spaces formed under the side sills S that forms the sides of the bottom of vehicle V. Therefore, the length of the passenger frame F protruding to the ground level is reduced, which reduces the height (vehicle height) of vehicle V from the ground level that is determined by the passenger frame F.