Modular Vehicle Body Joint Structure for PBV Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The vehicle industry faces high costs when changing the structure of Purpose Built Vehicles (PBVs) to accommodate various customized services, as existing joint structures are not easily adaptable or cost-effective for different service types.
Innovation Solution
A joint structure for vehicle bodies comprising a front body module, a rear body module, and engage units that detachably connect these modules along the front to rear direction, allowing for easy reconfiguration of the upper body to suit different service types, such as hailing or delivery services, while maintaining structural integrity and sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the upper body structure is customized for various services, then the service adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upper body is divided into multiple detachable modules (front body module, rear body module, roof module) that can be independently manufactured and then assembled through engage units. This segmentation allows each module to be produced separately at lower cost while maintaining the ability to create various service configurations by combining different modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The engage units are designed as universal connection mechanisms that can join different body modules together in various configurations. The same engage units and mounting structures are used across different service types (hailing, delivery, cab), eliminating the need for service-specific custom manufacturing and reducing overall production costs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the upper body structure is changed for different services, then the service versatility is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the upper body into standardized modules with uniform engagement interfaces, the patent simplifies the overall structural complexity. Each module has a consistent connection design that works across all service types, making the system easier to understand and assemble despite the variety of possible configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable engage units enable the upper body structure to be dynamically reconfigured between different service types. Rather than designing entirely different structures for each service, the same modular structure can be assembled in different configurations by simply attaching or detaching modules, reducing structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If detachable engage units are used to connect body modules, then the ease of reconfiguration is improved, but the connection reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The engage units incorporate curved or rounded connection surfaces that guide the alignment and engagement of mounting portions. This curved interface design ensures smooth, reliable connection while maintaining ease of detachment, balancing both reconfiguration ease and connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The engage units act as intermediary components between body modules, providing a specialized connection mechanism that ensures reliable joining. These intermediary elements include mounting portions, engagement surfaces, and fastening features that guarantee strong connections while allowing for controlled detachment when needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces production costs by enabling the PBV upper body structure to be easily modified for various services, ensuring robust connections, sealing, and noise reduction through the use of sealing members and rubber bushes in the engage units, thus enhancing the vehicle's adaptability and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first rubber bush located between the first guide pipe and the first pipe nut
Implementation Method 2
a first rubber bush located between the first guide pipe and the first pipe nut
Implementation Method 3
A first sealing member may be connected to a rear connection portion to which the front side internal panel, the front side reinforcement panel, the front side external panel, and the first front mounting reinforcement member are connected to each other
Data Source
AI summary
A joint structure of a vehicle body includes a front body module connected to a front portion of an under body, a rear body module connected to a rear portion of the under body, and an engage unit that detachably engages the front body module and the rear body module.