Universal Lightweight Vehicle Platform for Flexible Seating Layouts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lightweight vehicle designs lack flexibility in seating layout and manufacturing efficiency, as they often require distinct platforms for different vehicle configurations, leading to increased production costs and logistical challenges in shipping and assembly.
Innovation Solution
A universal assembly platform that includes a main vehicle chassis structure with connected front and rear suspension systems, allowing for the construction of various lightweight vehicles with consistent longitudinal footprint length, enabling the production of multiple vehicle types using the same platform, and accommodating different tire sizes while maintaining structural strength and rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If distinct platforms are used for different vehicle configurations, then vehicle design flexibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal assembly platform that can accommodate multiple vehicle configurations through adjustable seating structures and modular components. The platform includes a standardized chassis, suspension systems, and wheel assemblies that can be configured for different vehicle types, eliminating the need for distinct platforms for each configuration and thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining design flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If distinct platforms are used for different vehicle configurations, then vehicle design flexibility is improved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The universal assembly platform enables a single platform to produce multiple vehicle configurations, thereby consolidating production processes and reducing per-unit costs. The standardized components and modular architecture allow for economies of scale in manufacturing while still accommodating design variations through configurable elements such as seating arrangements and body styles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If distinct platforms are used for different vehicle configurations, then vehicle design flexibility is improved, but shipping and assembly logistics become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The universal assembly platform provides a consistent base structure and standardized component interfaces across all vehicle configurations, simplifying shipping arrangements and assembly procedures. The modular design allows for efficient packaging and transport of standardized modules, while the consistent platform architecture enables streamlined assembly processes regardless of the specific vehicle configuration being produced.
4Productivity
If a universal assembly platform is used, then production efficiency is improved, but seating layout flexibility may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The universal assembly platform incorporates modular and adjustable seating structures that can be configured in various layouts while maintaining compatibility with the standardized platform. The segmentation of the seating system into independent, reconfigurable modules allows for production efficiency through standardized mounting processes while simultaneously enabling diverse seating arrangements to meet different vehicle configuration requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A lightweight vehicle includes a pair of rear wheel assemblies, a pair of front wheel assemblies, a chassis, a front suspension system coupling the pair of front wheel assemblies to the chassis, a rear suspension system coupling the pair of rear wheel assemblies to the chassis, a frontmost seat supported by the chassis, a rearmost seat supported by the chassis where at least a portion of the rearmost seat is located longitudinally rearward of an axis extending through a center of the pair of rear wheel assemblies, a first footwell associated with the frontmost seat, a second footwell associated with the rearmost seat where the first footwell and the second footwell are coplanar, and an electric motor configured to drive the pair of rear wheel assemblies and at least partially positioned beneath the rearmost seat.