Intermediate Frame Layout for Integrated Electric Work Vehicle Chassis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric vehicles lack an efficient and integrated structural solution for housing and protecting electrical and hydraulic components, which can lead to increased complexity, weight, and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates an intermediate frame with curved wall portions and openings to house electrical converters, pumps, hydraulic manifolds, and other components, providing a structured and protected environment while allowing for efficient passage of cables and coolant lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical and hydraulic components are housed separately without integration, then component protection is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines electrical components (converters, cables) and hydraulic components (pumps, manifolds) into a single integrated intermediate frame structure. This merging provides unified protection for all components while reducing the number of separate housings and mounting structures needed, thereby decreasing overall device complexity while improving component protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate frame serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the vehicle, houses and protects electrical converters and cables, accommodates hydraulic pumps and manifolds, and facilitates passage of coolant lines. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective structures for each component type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Weight of moving object

If components are housed in a compact integrated structure, then weight is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle weightVSAvoidframe fabrication precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate frame is designed as a segmented structure with distinct zones for electrical components, hydraulic components, and coolant passage routing. This segmentation allows each zone to be manufactured and assembled separately with standard tolerances, then combined into the final integrated structure, reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining compact weight-saving design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If wall portions are curved for structural optimization, then strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe strengthVSAvoidframe manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate frame incorporates curved wall portions that provide structural strength and rigidity while distributing stress more effectively than flat walls. The curvature is designed to follow standard fabrication capabilities, balancing strength optimization with manufacturability through conventional forming processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Ease of operation

If openings are added for cable and coolant line passage, then ease of operation is improved, but structural integrity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable and coolant line routingVSAvoidframe structural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate frame features locally optimized openings strategically positioned for cable and coolant line passage. These openings are concentrated in specific areas where structural loads are minimal, while other regions maintain solid wall structures for strength. The local quality approach allows easy routing of cables and coolant lines without compromising overall frame integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4549204A1Chassis of electric work vehicle including intermediate frame with interior space
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4549204A1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4549204A1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4549204A1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

An electric work vehicle (1) includes a chassis, a battery housing (8) supported by the chassis, and a rear axle. The chassis includes an intermediate frame (6) attached to a rear portion of the battery housing (8). The intermediate frame (6) is located between the battery housing (8) and the rear axle in a front-rear direction of the electric work vehicle (1). The intermediate frame (6) includes a plurality of wall portions (62) that define an interior space.