Modular Vehicle Chassis for Interchangeable Ride and Power Packages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle chassis designs require multiple frames and components to achieve different ride heights and performance configurations, leading to increased complexity and manufacturing costs, as well as impractical reusability of parts between vehicle models due to varying performance and design requirements.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle chassis with interchangeable performance packages and modular components, including reversible frames, adjustable subframes, and electric motorized wheel assemblies, allowing for configuration changes to accommodate different ride heights and performance needs without additional parts, by using common attachment strategies and interchangeable parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple frames and components are used to achieve different ride heights and performance configurations, then diverse performance requirements are met, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal frame design with standardized cavities and mounting locations that can accommodate multiple subframe configurations. The frame includes first and second cavities positioned to receive different subframes (front and rear subframes) with varying motor powers and suspension stiffness, allowing a single frame to serve multiple performance configurations without requiring separate frames for each variant.
Solution Approach 2:
The vehicle chassis is divided into modular components: a main frame, interchangeable subframes (front and rear), and performance packages that can be selectively assembled. This segmentation allows different subframes to be coupled to the same frame, enabling configuration changes without redesigning the entire chassis system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple frames and components are used to achieve different ride heights and performance configurations, then diverse performance requirements are met, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is designed as a universal platform with standardized cavities and attachment points that work across multiple vehicle configurations. This allows manufacturers to produce a single frame design and then assemble different subframe combinations to create various performance variants, significantly reducing tooling costs and manufacturing complexity compared to producing separate frames for each configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is pre-configured with cavities and mounting structures during manufacturing that anticipate future subframe installations. This preliminary preparation of the frame with universal attachment points enables efficient assembly of different subframe configurations without requiring additional manufacturing steps or tooling for each variant.
3Reliability
If parts are made non-reusable between vehicle models due to varying performance requirements, then performance optimization is achieved, but part reusability and inventory efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The frame and subframes are designed with standardized interfaces and mounting configurations that enable parts to be reused across different vehicle models and performance variants. The first and second cavities in the frame are positioned and dimensioned to accommodate different subframe types, allowing the same frame to work with multiple subframe configurations optimized for different performance requirements while maintaining part reusability.
Solution Approach 2:
The chassis system is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable, allowing subframes to be selectively coupled and decoupled from the frame based on performance requirements. This dynamic assembly approach enables the same physical parts to serve multiple performance roles across different vehicle models, optimizing both performance specialization and part reusability.
Data Source
AI summary
Vehicle chassis with interchangeable performance packages and related methods. are disclosed herein. An example vehicle chassis disclosed herein includes a frame including a first chassis portion including a cavity, a battery platform coupled to first chassis portion, and a first subframe couplable within the cavity, the first subframe including a first motor and a first suspension assembly, and a second subframe couplable within the cavity, the second subframe including a second motor and a second suspension assembly, the second motor having a greater power than the first motor, the second suspension assembly having a greater stiffness than the first suspension assembly.