Modular Vehicle Side Structure with Center Pillar Bracket
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity and variety of customized services for Purpose Built Vehicles (PBVs) lead to higher manufacturing costs due to the need for separate development of the upper body structure for each service type.
Innovation Solution
A modular side structure for the vehicle body that includes a center pillar with mounting portions and a center pillar bracket, allowing for the production of various types of vehicle bodies depending on the customized service, while maintaining common parts and reducing design complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the upper body structure is developed separately for each customized service type, then the vehicle can provide various customized services, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a common upper body structure that can serve multiple customized service types. The support bracket and mounting portion configuration enables the same structural components to be used across different vehicle configurations (hailing, cab, delivery types), reducing the need for separate development of upper body structures for each service type while maintaining adaptability through selective assembly variations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate upper body structures are developed for each service type, then customization requirements are met, but the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the upper body structure into modular components, specifically the support bracket and mounting portions, that can be selectively assembled. This segmentation allows different vehicle types to be configured using the same set of standardized modules rather than requiring complete separate structures, thereby reducing the total number of unique parts while maintaining vehicle type variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bracket is designed with universal applicability across different vehicle configurations. The mounting portion configuration enables the same bracket design to serve multiple service types (hailing, cab, delivery vehicles) through standardized interfaces and selective assembly arrangements, reducing part proliferation while achieving customization.
3Ease of manufacture
If a modular side structure with common parts is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the structure must maintain strength for various vehicle types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing the support bracket design with specific structural features (flanges, mounting portions, connection points) that provide enhanced strength and stiffness at critical locations. The bracket incorporates localized reinforcement and strategically positioned mounting portions that ensure structural integrity for various vehicle types while maintaining cost-effectiveness through standardized manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bracket and mounting portions are constructed using composite material structures that combine different materials or material configurations to achieve optimal strength-to-cost ratio. This allows the modular components to meet structural strength requirements across various vehicle applications while maintaining manufacturing cost efficiency through standardized production processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A side structure of a vehicle body can include a center pillar formed with a center pillar mounting portion supporting a supporter, and a center pillar bracket to which a center pillar bracket mounting portion is formed to support the supporter, and the center pillar bracket connected to the center pillar.