Modular Vehicle Upper Body Structure for PBV Service Variants
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle body structures for purpose-built vehicles (PBVs) face increased costs due to the need for frequent changes to accommodate various customized services, as the upper body designs must be altered to meet different service types.
Innovation Solution
A modular upper body structure for PBVs, comprising a front body with center pillars, flange portions, and a rear body that can be selectively assembled, allowing common use across different service types, such as cab and hailing vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the upper body structure is changed to conform to various types of customized services, then the adaptability to different service types is improved, but the manufacturing cost and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The upper body structure is divided into modular components including the front body, center pillars, outer flange portions, and rear bodies. Each center pillar is segmented into an outer member and an inner member that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows different rear bodies to be selectively attached to the same front body structure, enabling adaptability to different service types without redesigning the entire upper body.
Solution Approach 2:
The front body structure with center pillars and outer flange portions is designed as a universal platform that can support multiple types of rear bodies for different service applications. The standardized interface through the outer flange portions allows the same front body to serve both hailing-type vehicles with rear cabins and cab-type vehicles without rear cabins, achieving multi-functionality and reducing structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the upper body structure is changed to conform to various types of customized services, then the adaptability to different service types is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upper body is segmented into reusable front body components and interchangeable rear bodies. The center pillars are further segmented into outer members and inner members that can be manufactured separately and assembled. This segmentation enables cost-effective production by allowing bulk manufacturing of common components and selective assembly of different rear bodies for various service types.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows the front body structure to be recovered and reused across different vehicle configurations. When service types change, only the rear body needs to be replaced while the front body, center pillars, and other structural components are retained and reused, significantly reducing manufacturing costs compared to building complete custom upper bodies for each service type.
3Productivity
If a modular structure with selective assembly is implemented, then the productivity and cost efficiency are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The modular segmentation of the upper body into standardized components creates clear assembly interfaces. The center pillars with outer flange portions provide predetermined mounting locations for rear bodies, simplifying the assembly process despite the modular nature. This structured segmentation balances the increased device complexity with improved productivity through efficient selective assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment upper body structure for a vehicle body includes a front body configured to be mounted on a front portion of an under body of the vehicle body, the front body including front side sills respectively disposed at two opposite sides thereof based on a vehicle width direction and center pillars respectively coupled to the front side sills, each of the center pillars including a quadrangular closed cross-section defined by coupling a center pillar outer member and a center pillar inner member and an outer flange portion extending in a forward/rearward direction of the vehicle body.