Modular Vehicle Chassis with Tab-Bolt and Clamp Connections

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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 leads to inefficient use of space.

Innovation Solution

A modular vehicle chassis design with detachably connected support structures featuring tab-bolt and clamp connections, allowing for adjustable force distribution and easy reconfiguration of components, enabling flexible adaptation to different loads and space constraints.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed commercial vehicle chassis structure is used, then structural stability is maintained, but adaptability to different functional components and configurations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different functional componentsVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The chassis is divided into multiple support structures with detachable connection nodes, allowing individual segments to be reconfigured or replaced while maintaining overall structural integrity. The connection nodes are segmented into separate components (tabs, bolts, clamping elements) that can be assembled and disassembled independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection nodes are designed with different connection types (detachable tab-bolt connections and clamp connections) that can be selectively engaged or disengaged, enabling dynamic reconfiguration of the chassis structure. This allows the system to transition between different stable states depending on the required configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If traditional fixed connection methods are used, then structural rigidity is maintained, but ease of reconfiguration and modification is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of reconfigurationVSAvoidstructural rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into modular components including tabs, bolts, and clamping elements that can be independently manipulated. This segmentation allows for easy assembly and disassembly while each component is designed to maintain structural rigidity when connected.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection nodes employ different connection parameters for different pairs: tab-bolt connections provide rigid fixed-position joining, while clamp connections allow for adjustable positioning. This variation in connection parameters enables both ease of reconfiguration and maintenance of structural rigidity as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If uniform connection nodes are used across all support structures, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different force and load stresses is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different force and load stressesVSAvoidconnection node design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different connection nodes are designed with different connection types based on their specific functional requirements and stress conditions. First pairs of adjacent connection nodes use tab-bolt connections for applications requiring rigid fixed-position joining, while second pairs use clamp connections for applications requiring adjustable positioning and different force distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Both tab-bolt and clamp connection types are designed within a unified connection node framework that can accommodate different connection methods. This universal design allows the same basic connection node structure to serve multiple functions depending on which connection type is implemented, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3696055B1Vehicle structure comprising a connection node tab interconnection and different connection node pairs

Publication Date: 2022.07.20 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE

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AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle construction (100), preferably a modular vehicle chassis (100), with at least two support structures (T3, T4) which have adjacent connection nodes (AK3, AK4, BK3, BK4) for connecting the support structures (T3, T4). The vehicle construction (100) is characterized in particular by the fact that the supporting structures (T3, T4) have at least one first pair of adjacent connection nodes (AK3, AK4) and the adjacent connection nodes (AK3, AK4) each include at least one tab (10, 11) to form a tab-bolt connection (A10, A11, A12) of the adjacent connection nodes (AK3, AK4) of the first pair, and/or the supporting structures (T3, T4) have a first pair of adjacent connection nodes (AK3, AK4) and a second pair of adjacent connection nodes (BK3, BK4) and the adjacent connection nodes (AK3, AK4) of the first pair are designed differently from the adjacent connection nodes (BK3, BK4) of the second pair.