Off-Road Vehicle Frame and Drive Shaft Layout for Rough Terrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing off-road vehicles face challenges in effectively navigating rough terrain due to inadequate suspension systems and drive shaft configurations, which result in inefficient power transfer and limited ground clearance, compromising stability and maneuverability.
Innovation Solution
The off-road vehicle features a mainframe with a bottom frame and top frame design that includes specific frame portions angled to enhance ground clearance and stability, combined with a portal axle system for improved power transfer to the wheels, and a suspension system that minimizes unevenness impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the bottom frame is designed with intermediate portion raised and front/rear portions lowered, then ground clearance is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bottom frame is divided into multiple segments (intermediate portion, front portion, rear portion) with different height characteristics. The intermediate portion is raised while the front and rear portions are lowered, creating a segmented height profile that provides ground clearance without requiring a completely raised frame structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the bottom frame are given different local characteristics - the intermediate portion has raised height for ground clearance, while the front and rear portions have lowered height for stability and ground engagement. This local differentiation optimizes each region's function without compromising the whole structure.
2Power
If the drive shafts are configured to extend forward and rearward with downward slope, then power transfer efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drive shafts are designed with an asymmetric configuration where they extend forward and rearward from the motor with a downward slope. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes the power transfer path to the wheels while accommodating the frame's segmented height profile. The downward slope compensates for the raised intermediate portion, maintaining proper drive shaft alignment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the mainframe includes top frame and bottom frame with specific geometric configuration, then vehicle stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mainframe structure incorporates a vertical dimension differentiation through the bottom frame's segmented height profile. The intermediate portion rises vertically while the front and rear portions lower, adding a vertical dimension to the otherwise horizontal frame layout. This dimensional change creates geometric stability without requiring additional horizontal support structures.
Data Source
AI summary
An off-road vehicle includes: a mainframe that supports a motor; a front wheel; a rear wheel; a front drive shaft that transfers rotation of the motor to the front wheel; and a rear drive shaft that transfers rotation of the motor to the rear wheel. The mainframe includes a bottom frame that extends in a fore-aft direction. The bottom frame includes an intermediate portion that is located between the front wheel and the rear wheel, a front portion that extends forward from the intermediate portion, and a rear portion that extends rearward from the intermediate portion. The front portion is lowered as the front portion extends forward, and the rear portion is lowered as the rear portion extends rearward. The front drive shaft is lowered as the front drive shaft extends forward, and the rear drive shaft is lowered as the rear drive shaft extends rearward.