Integrated Vehicle Frame with Triangular Members and Lattice Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vehicle frame designs are bulky, heavy, and require complex assembly processes, necessitating multiple vehicle platforms for varying shapes and sizes, which increases manufacturing costs and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A modular electric vehicle frame design featuring a compact, integrated lower body and removable upper body, with housings containing powertrain, control systems, and structural components, allowing for standardized components and easy adaptation to different vehicle sizes and powertrain types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional body-on-frame or unibody vehicle frame designs are used with separately bolted or welded components, then the vehicle can accommodate standardized components, but the vehicle size increases and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the vehicle frame with housings containing powertrain, suspension, steering, and heat exchanger components into a unified structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate bolted or welded connections between components and the frame, reducing overall vehicle size while maintaining adaptability through standardized housing interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The housings serve multiple functions simultaneously: structural support, powertrain containment, suspension mounting, steering integration, and heat exchanger housing. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, decreasing vehicle size while maintaining compatibility with standardized components through universal housing designs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional vehicle frame designs with separately connected components are used, then components can be standardized, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the frame with housings that contain multiple components, the patent eliminates redundant structural elements and connection hardware. The integrated design reduces overall vehicle weight while maintaining component standardization through standardized housing interfaces and modular component designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures in the integrated housings, combining different materials to achieve optimal strength-to-weight ratios. This allows the use of standardized components with varying weights while maintaining overall vehicle weight efficiency through strategically placed high-strength materials only where structurally necessary.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional vehicle frames require different vehicle platforms for varying shapes and sizes, then vehicles can be customized for different performance requirements, but design and assembly processes become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vehicle into modular components (housings, powertrain, suspension, steering, heat exchangers) that can be independently designed and assembled. This segmentation allows different vehicle configurations to be created by recombining standardized modules, simplifying the design and assembly processes while maintaining the ability to customize vehicles for different performance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The standardized housings serve as universal interfaces that can accommodate various component configurations. This universality allows the same basic housing design to be used across different vehicle platforms, reducing design complexity while enabling vehicle customization through different component arrangements and selections.
4Strength
If traditional vehicle frame designs are used, then structural support can be provided, but the number of structural components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the structural frame with housings that contain functional components. This integration reduces the number of separate structural components needed, as the housings themselves provide structural support while containing powertrain, suspension, steering, and heat exchanger components, thereby simplifying the overall vehicle structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A frame for a vehicle includes a first housing and a second housing. The first housing and the second housing each define an interior space. The first housing and the second housing each comprises a first side portion and an opposing second side portion. The first housing and the second housing each include a first pair of triangular members coupled to the first side portion and a second pair of triangular members coupled to the second side portion. The first and second pairs of triangular members each support a wheel. A support assembly couples the first housing and the second housing. The support assembly includes an external lattice structure and an internal lattice structure. The external lattice structure is coupled to the first housing and the second housing. The internal lattice structure is coupled to the external lattice structure, the first housing, and the second housing.