Intermediate Chassis Frame for Protected Component Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electric vehicles lack an efficient and integrated structural solution for housing and protecting the electrical and hydraulic components, which affects the vehicle's performance and reliability.

Innovation Solution

The electric work vehicle incorporates an intermediate frame with a plurality of wall portions that define an interior space, allowing for the housing of components such as a coolant line, pump, hydraulic manifold, electrical converter, and electric motor, while providing structural support and protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an intermediate frame with interior space is introduced to house components, then component integration and protection are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidchassis structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate frame merges multiple functions into a single structural component: it provides chassis support, houses electrical and hydraulic components, protects sensitive equipment, and serves as a mounting structure. This consolidation improves reliability through integrated protection while managing complexity by combining rather than adding separate systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate frame is designed as a multi-functional element that simultaneously serves as a structural support member, a protective enclosure, a component housing, and a mounting platform. This universality allows a single component to address multiple requirements, improving overall system reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If multiple components are integrated within the intermediate frame, then space utilization is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidframe assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The intermediate frame is designed with distinct sections and compartments that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for specific components, simplifying manufacturing processes while achieving efficient space utilization through the overall integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple components are nested within the intermediate frame structure, with smaller elements housed inside the larger frame volume. This nesting arrangement maximizes space utilization by placing components within the available interior space, while the modular nested design can simplify manufacturing compared to creating a completely integrated monolithic structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20250135862A1Chassis of electric work vehicle including intermediate frame with interior space

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 KUBOTA CORP

AI summary

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