Universal Lightweight Vehicle Platform for Flexible Seat Layouts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lightweight vehicle designs lack flexibility in seating layout and overall configuration, making it difficult to produce various types 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 different lightweight vehicles with consistent longitudinal footprint length, enabling the production of multiple 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 for a standardized platform that accommodates multiple vehicle types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal assembly platform with standardized chassis, suspension systems, and mounting configurations that can accommodate multiple types of lightweight vehicles including golf cars and passenger transport vehicles. The platform uses consistent longitudinal footprint dimensions and standardized component interfaces to enable multi-vehicle production while managing complexity through design standardization.
2Productivity
If multiple vehicle types are produced with consistent longitudinal footprint length, then manufacturing and shipping efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase to maintain uniform dimensions across different vehicle configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes predetermined longitudinal footprint length specifications for the universal assembly platform before vehicle production begins. By pre-defining the chassis dimensions, suspension mounting points, and wheel assembly positions, the platform enables consistent footprint dimensions across different vehicle types while facilitating efficient manufacturing through standardized templates and fixtures.
3Volume of moving object
If seating structures are positioned over the rear suspension system, then space utilization is improved, but structural strength requirements increase to support seating loads on the suspension components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the rear seating structures directly with the rear suspension system, positioning seats over the suspension components to maximize space utilization. The suspension system is designed with reinforced structures and integrated mounting points that simultaneously support both vehicle loads and seating passengers, combining structural functions to reduce overall vehicle complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A lightweight vehicle includes a pair of rear wheel assemblies, a pair of front wheel assemblies, a chassis, a front suspension system coupling the pair of front wheel assemblies to the chassis, a rear suspension system coupling the pair of rear wheel assemblies to the chassis, a frontmost seat supported by the chassis where the frontmost seat includes a first seat bottom and a first seat back, a rearmost seat supported by the chassis and facing forward where the rearmost seat includes a second seat bottom and a second seat back, a floorboard coupled the chassis, and an electric motor configured to drive the pair of rear wheel assemblies and at least partially positioned beneath the second seat bottom. At least a portion of the rearmost seat is located longitudinally rearward of an axis extending through a center of the pair of rear wheel assemblies.