Modular Vehicle Chassis Rear Frame Overhang

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing commercial vehicle chassis designs are inflexible and lack the ability to accommodate large functional components efficiently, requiring significant conversion efforts and interfering with vehicle statics, especially when trying to install large components like tanks, which often necessitates splitting them into smaller units.

Innovation Solution

A modular vehicle construction with a rear support structure and frame overhang that can be variable in length and height, featuring multiple connection nodes and segments, allowing for flexible configuration and reconfiguration of support structures to form chassis modules, enabling the use of interchangeable components and adaptable installation spaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional fixed chassis design is used, then the vehicle structure is simple and stable, but the adaptability to different vehicle applications and functional components is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different vehicle applicationsVSAvoidchassis structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chassis is divided into modular support structures (T1, T2, T3) and frame overhang structures (FT1, FT2, FT3) that can be independently configured and assembled. Each module contains connection nodes that enable flexible combination to create different chassis configurations for various vehicle applications such as saddle tractors, tipper trucks, and cargo vehicles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The chassis design incorporates solvable connections at the connection nodes between support structures and frame overhang structures. This allows the chassis configuration to be dynamically changed during the vehicle's lifecycle, enabling conversion between different vehicle types and functional arrangements without permanent structural modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If large functional components are installed on a conventional chassis, then the functional capacity is improved, but the installation space constraints and interference with vehicle statics increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesize of functional componentsVSAvoidinstallation space availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The frame overhang structures extend in the longitudinal direction beyond the rear support structure, creating additional installation space in the longitudinal dimension. This allows large functional components to be positioned in the overhang area, effectively utilizing space that would otherwise be unused while maintaining proper vehicle statics through the distributed modular structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The modular support structures and connection nodes serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, enable flexible configuration for different vehicle types, and create adaptable installation spaces for various functional components of different sizes and shapes, eliminating the need for application-specific chassis designs.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If the chassis configuration is changed to accommodate different functional components, then the versatility is improved, but the conversion effort and interference with vehicle statics increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in component arrangementVSAvoidconversion effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The chassis is pre-configured with multiple connection nodes at standardized positions on the support structures and frame overhang structures. This preliminary arrangement of connection points enables future conversions and reconfigurations to be performed efficiently without requiring structural modifications, reducing conversion effort while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3696057B1Modular vehicle chassis with rear frame overhang
Publication Date: 2022.09.21 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP3696057B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3696057B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3696057B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle construction (100), preferably with a plurality of support structures (T1, T2, T3, FT1, FT2, FT3), each forming a vehicle chassis module, with a rear support structure (T3) on which a rear axle (41, 42) is mounted and which preferably forms a vehicle chassis module and comprises several connection nodes (K3), and a frame overhang (F) behind the rear support structure (T3). The vehicle construction (100) is characterized in particular by the fact that the frame overhang (F) has at least one frame overhang support structure (FT1) and the frame overhang support structure (FT1) is designed as a vehicle chassis module.