Modular Rear Floor Module with Trough Fastening Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for producing motor vehicles with different drive concepts, such as hybrid and internal combustion engines, require multiple support structures, leading to increased development, production, and assembly costs, as well as higher vehicle weight due to the need for customized body components.

Innovation Solution

A rear floor module with a trough and back wall, equipped with a fastening structure that allows for the attachment of various motor vehicle components without altering the vehicle's support structure or drive concept, utilizing an insert with a support frame and support profiles for mechanical reinforcement and preassembly, enabling the use of a single support structure across different configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different body support structures are provided for different drive concepts, then the motor vehicle can be adapted to specific drive configurations, but development, production and assembly costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different drive conceptsVSAvoidbody support structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single body support structure that can accommodate multiple drive concepts (internal combustion engines, hybrid drives, electric drives) through the modular rear floor module. The standardized connection structure allows the same support structure to serve different functions for different drive types, eliminating the need for separate body support structures for each drive concept.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the body support structure into a standardized connection structure and a modular rear floor module. The rear floor module can be produced as a preconfigured assembly with drive-specific components, while the connection structure remains constant. This segmentation allows flexibility in the modular portion while maintaining simplicity in the standardized portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If different body support structures are provided for different drive concepts, then drive-specific components can be properly installed, but production and assembly costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive concept adaptabilityVSAvoidproduction and assembly cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by producing the rear floor module as a preconfigured assembly before final vehicle assembly. Drive-specific components are pre-installed on the modular rear floor module, which can then be quickly installed onto the standardized connection structure. This preliminary preparation reduces the complexity and cost of final assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple support structures are used for different drive concepts, then specific drive requirements are met, but vehicle weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive concept compatibilityVSAvoidvehicle weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces vehicle weight by using a single universal body support structure instead of multiple drive-specific structures. The standardized connection structure combined with the modular rear floor module provides the necessary support for different drive concepts without the redundant weight of multiple specialized support structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If the rear floor module is produced as a preconfigured assembly, then assembly efficiency is improved, but flexibility in final assembly is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly efficiencyVSAvoidfinal assembly flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains final assembly flexibility through segmentation into a standardized connection structure and a modular rear floor module. While the rear floor module is produced as a preconfigured assembly for efficiency, the standardized connection structure allows for flexible installation and configuration. Different modular rear floor modules can be installed on the same standardized connection structure, preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9676423B2Rear floor module for arrangement on a motor vehicle body

Publication Date: 2017.06.13 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A rear floor module for a motor vehicle body is disclosed. The rear floor module includes an upwardly-projecting trough having a floor and a back wall in vehicle vertical direction (z) based on the installation position. The rear floor module is also provided with a fastening structure including at least one fastening point for arranging a motor vehicle component in the trough. Motor vehicle configuration-specific or drive-specific motor vehicle components are arranged in a preconfigured manner on the rear floor module with the fastening structure.