Rear Axle Cradle Mounting Inside Chassis Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rear axle assembly attachments in motor vehicles are heavy, complex, and costly due to the need for reinforcements, which increases weight and complexity, compromising compactness and durability.
Innovation Solution
A chassis design with longitudinally extending profiles and a cradle attachment system using screws, spacers, and L-shaped supports fixed to linings via nuts in cages, ensuring secure and lightweight mounting without additional reinforcements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If reinforcements are added at mounting points to stiffen the connection, then the strength and durability of the rear axle attachment is improved, but the weight and complexity of the assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lining is nested inside the profile hollow section, with the L-shaped support nested within the profile structure. The spacer is positioned between the lining and support, creating a compact nested arrangement that provides structural strength without adding external reinforcements. This nesting principle allows multiple functional elements to occupy the same spatial envelope, achieving strength without proportional weight increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the hollow space within the profile as a third dimension for mounting the L-shaped support and spacer assembly. Instead of adding reinforcements in the planar dimension, the solution exploits the vertical/hollow dimension of the profile to accommodate the attachment mechanism, thereby achieving structural reinforcement without increasing the external dimensions or proportionally increasing weight.
2Reliability
If reinforcements are added at mounting points to stiffen the connection, then the durability of the rear axle attachment is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is segmented into distinct functional components: the lining (providing structural integration), the L-shaped support (providing mounting geometry), the spacer (providing positioning and load distribution), and the cage (providing nut retention). Each segment performs a specific function, allowing for simplified manufacturing of individual parts and easier assembly compared to a monolithic reinforced structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer acts as an intermediary element between the lining and the L-shaped support, distributing loads and facilitating assembly. The cage serves as an intermediary structure to retain the nut and prevent its loss during assembly and operation. These intermediary elements simplify the overall connection mechanism while enhancing durability through controlled load paths.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the attachment design is made compact and rigid to absorb impacts, then the structural integrity is improved, but the weight and associated costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system employs a composite arrangement of different materials and structural forms: the metal profile, the stamped lining, the spacer, the L-shaped support, and the cage-nut assembly. This composite structure achieves high structural integrity through the synergistic combination of components, each optimized for its specific function, rather than requiring a single heavy reinforced structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the attachment function with the existing profile structure by integrating the lining inside the profile and mounting the L-shaped support within the same structural envelope. This merging eliminates the need for separate reinforcement elements and achieves compact, rigid attachment while minimizing additional weight through efficient space utilization.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a motor vehicle (2) comprising: a chassis (4) having a rear part (4.1) with two profiles (6) extending longitudinally and parallel to each other; a rear axle (8) comprising a cradle (8.1) rigidly fixed to each of the two profiles, notable in that each fixing (10) of the cradle to one of the profiles comprises a screw (12) passing successively through: a lower wall (6.1) of the profile, a lining of the profile, a spacer located in the profile, an angle bracket fixed to the profile, and a nut bearing on the angle bracket, and located in the profile, said nut being housed in a cage fixed to the angle bracket, said angle bracket being fixed to the lining via an end tab of the lining.