Modular Chassis System for Vehicle Type Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost of changing vehicle types is a significant challenge due to the need for multiple stamping dies and the inflexibility of unitary construction body designs, which are cumbersome and expensive to modify.
Innovation Solution
A modular chassis system with detachable components, including chassis modular units and suspension systems, allowing for easy reconfiguration of wheelbases and suspension lengths to accommodate different vehicle types without the need for extensive die changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a unitary construction body is used, then the vehicle has small mass and small height, but the cost of changing vehicle types is huge
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis is divided into multiple detachable modular units including a cockpit module, cargo module, and suspension modules. Each module can be independently assembled or disassembled, allowing rapid reconfiguration for different vehicle types without changing the entire body structure. This segmentation enables cost-effective vehicle type changes while maintaining the lightweight advantages of unitary construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system employs adjustable-length suspension links that can be reconfigured between different length positions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same chassis platform to adapt to different vehicle types by simply changing suspension link lengths, reducing the need for extensive die changes and lowering production costs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If stamping dies are changed for different vehicle types, then various vehicle types can be produced, but the production cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The modular chassis platform serves multiple functions across different vehicle types. The same cockpit module, cargo module, and suspension system components can be used across sedan, SUV, and cargo vehicle configurations by simply reconfiguring module connections and suspension link lengths, eliminating the need for separate stamping dies for each vehicle type.
Solution Approach 2:
The suspension system utilizes adjustable suspension link lengths as a key parameter to differentiate vehicle types. By changing the length parameter of suspension links rather than the entire suspension structure, the system achieves vehicle type variety with minimal manufacturing cost increase, as only specific link length adjustments are needed rather than complete die changes.
3Reliability
If a separate frame construction body is used, then the vehicle has excellent stationarity and safety, but the vehicle is cumbersome and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The chassis is segmented into modular units with standardized connection interfaces. This segmentation allows the structure to achieve both the safety of separate frame construction through dedicated chassis modules and the lightweight benefits of unitary construction by eliminating redundant frame members. The modular units can be optimized for strength where needed while minimizing overall mass.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes: a chassis including a chassis body and chassis modular units; at least one driving unit arranged in at least one of the chassis modular units, and configured to provide a driving force to at least a pair of wheels; and suspension systems. The chassis body is of an elongate shape in a first direction of the vehicle. A cockpit is arranged in the chassis body. The chassis modular units are connected to the chassis body in series in the first direction, and arranged at first and second ends of the chassis body in the first direction. Each chassis modular unit is connected to a corresponding pair of wheels through a corresponding suspension system.