Reconfigurable Off-Road Vehicle Frame for Higher Payload Capacity

Solution Overview

Problem

Off-road recreational vehicles have limitations in payload capacity and width, restricting their utility in applications such as construction, military, and emergency services due to their non-structural plastic body panels and traditional design constraints.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle design includes a chassis with three axles, a reconfigurable rear module, and a powertrain that can drive multiple axles, along with a robust frame and body components made from metal and tubular metal, allowing for increased payload capacity and width, enhancing mobility and versatility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If traditional non-structural plastic body panels and design constraints are used, then the vehicle maintains simplicity and ease of manufacture, but the payload capacity is limited to less than 1,500 pounds and width is limited to less than 65 inches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepayload capacityVSAvoidvehicle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle body is divided into modular components including a chassis, cab, and selectively reconfigurable rear module. This segmentation allows the structural framework to be optimized for strength while payload capacity is enhanced through additive modules rather than requiring complete structural redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle employs a composite construction combining a metal chassis frame with plastic body panels. The metal chassis provides the necessary structural strength for increased payload capacity while plastic panels maintain ease of manufacture and aesthetic functions, resolving the contradiction between strength and manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional design constraints are maintained, then the vehicle remains simple to manufacture, but the width is restricted to less than 65 inches reducing utility in construction and emergency services

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication versatilityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The rear module is designed to be selectively reconfigurable between multiple configurations, allowing the vehicle to adapt to different applications (construction, military, emergency services) by changing the rear module configuration rather than manufacturing entirely different vehicle types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle chassis and cab are designed as universal components that can work with different rear module configurations, creating a multi-functional platform that serves various applications while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through component standardization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If non-structural plastic body panels are used, then the vehicle is easy to manufacture and maintain, but the overall width and payload capacity are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle body is divided into modular components including a chassis, cab, and selectively reconfigurable rear module. This segmentation allows the structural framework to be optimized for strength while payload capacity is enhanced through additive modules rather than requiring complete structural redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle employs a composite construction combining a metal chassis frame with plastic body panels. The metal chassis provides the necessary structural strength for increased payload capacity while plastic panels maintain ease of manufacture and aesthetic functions, resolving the contradiction between strength and manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The enhanced payload capacity and width enable the vehicle to handle heavier loads and larger payloads, improving its suitability for diverse applications beyond traditional off-road recreational uses, including construction, military, and emergency services.

Implementation Method 1

The flow of exhaust gases flowing through the exhaust system generates a vacuum across the valve. The vacuum providing suction within the engine air intake to facilitate pulling debris from the engine air intake into the suction conduit, through the valve, and into the flow of exhaust gases.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVacuum suction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS12054199B2Off-road vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.08.06 OSHKOSH CORPORATION

AI summary

A vehicle includes a chassis, a front axle coupled to the chassis, a rear axle coupled to the chassis, a powertrain coupled to the chassis, a cab coupled to the chassis, a rear module coupled to the chassis behind the cab. The powertrain is configured to drive at least one of the front axle or the rear axle. The rear module is selectively reconfigurable between a plurality of configurations.