Universal Lightweight Vehicle Platform for Flexible Seating 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 various vehicle types such as golf cars and personal transport vehicles with the same assembly platform.
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 assembly platform is designed with universal mounting structures, standardized suspension connection points, and flexible seating arrangement capabilities that allow the same platform to construct multiple types of lightweight vehicles including golf cars, personal transport vehicles, and utility vehicles. The platform includes a main vehicle chassis structure with front and rear suspension systems that can accommodate various wheel assemblies and seating configurations.
2Productivity
If different vehicle types are produced with similar dimensions, then shipping efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase to maintain consistent structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The platform employs standardized dimensional parameters including consistent wheelbase lengths, fixed suspension mounting positions, and regulated seating structure placements. These controlled parameters ensure that different vehicle types constructed on the platform maintain similar overall dimensions and structural integrity, allowing them to fit within the same shipping envelope while meeting safety and performance requirements.
3Volume of moving object
If seating structures are positioned over suspension systems, then space utilization is improved, but safety concerns arise regarding structural strength and occupant protection
Solution Approach 1:
The seating structures are segmented into modular units that can be independently positioned and secured. The rear row forward facing seating structure is designed as a separate module that can be mounted over the rear suspension system with dedicated mounting points and structural supports that distribute loads appropriately, maintaining both space efficiency and structural integrity.
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.