Multi-piece Well Structure for Hybrid Electronic Hardware Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mounting configurations for hybrid electronic hardware in vehicles compromise interior volume, fuel tank volume, and cargo space, and are prone to failure due to impact, affecting working efficiency and structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A multi-piece well structure is designed within the vehicle frame, comprising laterally spaced side rails, cross members, and frame supports that define side and end walls, allowing secure housing of hybrid electronic hardware without compromising interior space and enhancing impact resistance by redirecting load paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hybrid electronic equipment is installed in a box-shaped structure mounted beneath the vehicle body floor, then the equipment is protected from external damage, but work on the equipment must be carried out from below which adversely affects working efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The housing structure is divided into a multi-piece construction with a removable lid member that separates the access path from the equipment housing. This segmentation allows workers to access equipment from above by removing the lid, while the main housing remains protected beneath the vehicle floor, resolving the contradiction between protection and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-dimension access (from below only) to multi-dimensional access by adding vertical access through the removable lid. This creates both horizontal access from below and vertical access from above, allowing flexible work paths while maintaining protection.
2Volume of moving object
If the housing structure is supported beneath the vehicle body floor, then interior volume and cargo space are preserved, but the structure can be compromised by vehicle impact causing equipment failure
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into multiple pieces including a removable lid, side walls, and end walls. This segmentation allows the structure to be designed with impact-absorbing features and load path routing that protects equipment during collisions while maintaining the space-efficient beneath-floor mounting configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-piece housing structure acts as an intermediary between the vehicle frame and the sensitive electronic equipment. The structured assembly with distributed fastening points and load paths absorbs and redirects impact forces away from the equipment, protecting it while allowing the compact beneath-floor installation.
3Ease of manufacture
If a one-piece deep-drawn housing structure is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but the structure is prone to impact failure and compromises working efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple separately manufactured pieces (lid, side walls, end walls) that are assembled together. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and allows the assembly to better absorb impact forces compared to a rigid one-piece structure, while still maintaining manufacturing efficiency through modular production.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle body includes first and second side rails, a first cross member and a second cross member. A multi-piece well configured to house hybrid electronic hardware includes a well floor having a first side, a second side, a first end, and a second. The first end is secured to the first cross member to define a well first end wall. The second end is secured to the second cross member to define a well second end wall. A first frame side support is secured to the first side to define a well first side wall. A second frame side support is secured to the second side to define a well second side wall. The first frame side support is laterally spaced inwardly from and connected to the first side rail and the second frame side support is laterally spaced inwardly from and connected to the second side rail.