Multifunctional Lower Wing Support for Reduced Vehicle Part Count
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing solutions for vehicle wing supports are costly due to the multiplication of parts required for fixing various elements, and they often result in a large, heavy design that does not effectively reduce the number of components or minimize CO2 emissions.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional lower wing support that serves as a fixing interface for multiple vehicle elements, including the wing, mudguard, sealing parts, and fender trim, with additional interfaces for attachment, made from a metallic material like steel, providing increased rigidity and reducing the overall number of parts needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple dedicated brackets are used to attach various vehicle components (wing, mudguard, sealing parts, fender trim) to the structural element, then each component can be securely attached, but the number of parts increases, manufacturing costs increase, and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate brackets into a single lower wing support structure that integrates multiple attachment functions. This support includes a first interface for the wing, a second interface for the mudguard, a third interface for sealing parts, and a fourth interface for fender trim, all consolidated into one component that attaches to the structural element, thereby reducing part count while maintaining secure attachment of all components
Solution Approach 2:
The lower wing support is designed as a multifunctional component that simultaneously serves as the attachment point for multiple different vehicle components. It provides diverse attachment interfaces (first, second, third, and fourth interfaces) that can accommodate different types of components (wing, mudguard, sealing parts, fender trim), making a single component perform multiple functions that previously required separate dedicated brackets
2Adaptability or versatility
If a large fender support structure is used to accommodate multiple attachment functions, then all components can be attached, but the mass of the support increases, leading to higher CO2 emissions
Solution Approach 1:
By consolidating multiple attachment functions into a single integrated lower wing support, the patent eliminates the need for separate brackets that would collectively add significant mass. The merged structure optimizes material usage and reduces overall component mass compared to having multiple separate brackets, while still providing all necessary attachment points for the wing, mudguard, sealing parts, and fender trim
Solution Approach 2:
The multifunctional lower wing support provides adaptability to attach multiple different components through its multiple interfaces, reducing the need for additional separate structural elements. This multi-functionality is achieved with optimized material distribution that minimizes mass while maintaining structural integrity and attachment versatility
3Reliability
If multiple separate brackets are used for different components, then each component has its own optimized attachment, but the manufacturing and assembly costs increase due to design, production, and assembly of multiple parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate bracket designs into a single lower wing support that can be manufactured as one piece or as integrated components. This consolidation reduces the total number of manufacturing processes, tooling requirements, and quality control steps needed, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining component-specific attachment capabilities through its multiple specialized interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
By designing a multifunctional support that can accommodate multiple component types, the patent eliminates the need to design, manufacture, and manage inventories of multiple separate bracket variants. This universal attachment solution simplifies the supply chain and manufacturing operations while providing optimized attachment for each specific component type through its dedicated interfaces
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a vehicle comprising a wing and a lower wing support (1) having a first interface (5) for the attachment of a wing, the lower portion of the support (1) being attached to a vehicle structure element, the vehicle being characterised in that the lower wing support (1) also has at least one additional attachment interface (7, 9) for the attachment of at least one other element of the vehicle; preferably, it also has an attachment interface (7) for a mudguard and/or an attachment interface (9) for a sealing part. The invention also concerns such lower wing supports (1).