Vehicle Rear Hitch Mounting Structure for Low-Overhang Bodies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer coupling structures face challenges in attaching a hitch member to vehicles with minimal rearward overhang, leading to potential deformation and cracking of the vehicle body, and require additional space for attachment.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle rear structure featuring a suspension frame interposed between the vehicle body and under-floor components, with an attachment part for the hitch member positioned at the center, allowing easy attachment and reducing the likelihood of deformation and cracking, while also lowering the vehicle's center of gravity and improving motion performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hitch member is attached to the rear end side of the vehicle body, then the attachment is simple and easy, but the vehicle body is likely to experience deformation and cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an interposed member as a mediator between the vehicle body and the hitch member. This interposed member has a rigid structure that can bear the load of the hitch member without causing deformation or cracking to the vehicle body, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of attachment and vehicle body integrity.
2Ease of operation
If the hitch member is attached to the rear end side of the vehicle body, then the attachment process is simple, but additional attachment space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the attachment location from the rear end side (horizontal dimension) to the under-floor area (vertical dimension below the vehicle body). This dimensional change allows the hitch member to be attached in a space that does not require additional rearward overhang, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of attachment and attachment space requirements.
3Length of stationary object
If the hitch member is attached to vehicles with minimal rearward overhang, then the vehicle design is compact, but the attachment becomes difficult and risky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the attachment point from the rear horizontal extension to the vertical space under the vehicle body floor. This allows compact vehicle designs with minimal rearward overhang to still accommodate hitch member attachment in the under-floor region, resolving the contradiction between compact vehicle length and ease of attachment.
4Length of stationary object
If the hitch member is attached to vehicles with minimal rearward overhang, then the vehicle design is compact, but deformation and cracking are more likely to occur
Solution Approach 1:
The interposed member serves as a load-bearing intermediary that protects the vehicle body from deformation and cracking. By placing this rigid structure in the under-floor area, the patent enables compact vehicle designs to maintain vehicle body integrity while accommodating the hitch member attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle rear structure includes an interposed member and an attachment part. The interposed member is disposed at a center area in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle under a floor panel of a vehicle body of the vehicle, and interposed between at least one under-floor component of the vehicle and the vehicle body. The attachment part is provided for a hitch member for a trailer. The attachment part is disposed at a rear end of the interposed member and at a center area of the interposed member in the vehicle width direction.