Universal Lightweight Vehicle Platform for Fixed-Footprint Configurations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lightweight vehicle designs lack flexibility in seating layout and overall configuration, making it difficult to produce a variety of vehicles with similar dimensions and structural integrity, which complicates manufacturing and shipping.
Innovation Solution
A universal assembly platform with a main vehicle chassis structure, front and rear suspension systems, and a prime vehicle mover, allowing for the construction of various lightweight vehicles with consistent longitudinal footprint length, enabling the production of different vehicle types using the same platform, including golf cars and passenger transport vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a universal assembly platform is used to construct various lightweight vehicles, then flexibility in vehicle design and configuration is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need to accommodate multiple vehicle types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal assembly platform with standardized chassis structures, suspension systems, and mounting interfaces that can accommodate multiple vehicle types including golf cars and passenger transport vehicles. The platform uses consistent longitudinal footprint dimensions and standardized component interfaces to enable multi-functionality while managing complexity through modular design
2Productivity
If different vehicle types are produced using the same platform, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but seating layout flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vehicle into modular segments including standardized chassis components and configurable seating modules. The seating structures are designed as separate, interchangeable modules that can be arranged in different configurations on the standardized platform, allowing manufacturing efficiency through standardization while maintaining seating layout flexibility through modular reconfiguration
3Productivity
If consistent longitudinal footprint length is maintained across vehicle types, then shipping efficiency is improved, but vehicle configuration options are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains consistent longitudinal footprint length across different vehicle types for standardized shipping, while providing configuration versatility through variations in lateral width, vertical height, and internal component arrangement. This dimensional approach allows vehicles to fit the same shipping envelope while offering diverse configuration options through spatial reconfiguration in other dimensions
Data Source
AI summary
A universal assembly platform for lightweight vehicles, wherein the platform comprises a main vehicle chassis structure, a front suspension system connected to the main vehicle chassis structure and to which one or more front wheel assembly is mountable, and a rear suspension system connected to the main vehicle chassis structure and to which one or more rear wheel assembly is mountable. The rear suspension system is connected to the main vehicle chassis structure such that when the one or more rear wheel assembly is mounted to the rear suspension system a rear wheel of the one or more rear wheel assembly defines the distal end of an overall length of the vehicle.