Modular Vehicle Chassis Clamp Connection Nodes

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing commercial vehicle chassis are inflexible and require significant effort to modify, limiting the arrangement and integration of large functional components due to their fixed structure, which restricts adaptability and efficiency in vehicle applications.

Innovation Solution

A modular vehicle chassis design featuring detachably connected support structures via clamp connections with clamping jaws and tensioning elements, allowing for flexible configuration and reconfiguration of components, enabling easier integration and reconfiguration of functional components like tanks, motors, and batteries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed one-piece integrally continuous longitudinal beam structure is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but flexibility and adaptability for reconfiguration are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility for reconfigurationVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The longitudinal beams are divided into multiple beam sections that can be detachably connected. Each beam section includes connection nodes with clamping jaw receptacles, allowing the chassis to be segmented into modular units that can be reconfigured while maintaining structural integrity through the connection nodes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection nodes incorporate clamping jaws that can be actuated between clamped and released states. This dynamic connection system allows the chassis structure to transition between fixed and reconfigurable states, enabling adaptability while maintaining structural integrity when connected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If large functional components are integrated into a fixed chassis, then the vehicle structure remains stable, but the ability to modify component arrangement is significantly limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent arrangement flexibilityVSAvoidmodification effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chassis is segmented into modular beam sections with standardized connection nodes. Large functional components can be mounted on specific beam sections and easily relocated to different sections or configurations by simply detaching and reattaching the modular units, reducing modification effort while improving arrangement flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection nodes with clamping jaws provide universal attachment capability across all beam sections. This standardized interface allows various functional components to be mounted on any beam section, enabling flexible component arrangement without requiring component-specific mounting solutions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the chassis structure is made modular with detachable connections, then flexibility and adaptability are improved, but the complexity of the connection system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodular reconfigurabilityVSAvoidconnection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple connection functions are merged into the connection node, which integrates the clamping jaw receptacle, the clamping jaw itself, and the actuation mechanism. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall connection system while maintaining modular reconfigurability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping jaw is designed to be actuated by a single operator using a clamping element, allowing the connection system to be easily assembled and disassembled without requiring complex tools or multiple operators. The self-contained actuation mechanism reduces operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3696058B1Vehicle structure with connection node clamp connection
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP3696058B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3696058B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3696058B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle construction (100), preferably a modular vehicle chassis (100), with at least two support structures (T3, T4), each of which has at least one connection node (K3, K4). The vehicle construction (100) is characterized in particular by the fact that the support structures (T3, T4) have adjacent connection nodes (K3, K4) and the adjacent connection nodes (K3, K4) are connected to each other via a clamping connection.