Removable Seat Frame for Engine Installation Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of engine assemblies in side-by-side sport utility vehicles poses a challenge due to their location behind the front-row seats and under the cargo area, requiring a method to facilitate efficient assembly during vehicle manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A frame design with a cabin area and an engine area, where the engine assembly is accessible from the cabin, involves a removably attached seat frame and seat assembly, and a method that includes lowering the engine assembly into the cabin, moving it along a longitudinal axis, attaching it to engine mounts, and then installing the seat frame and seat assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the engine assembly is installed in the traditional location behind the front-row seats and under the cargo area, then the vehicle meets structural requirements, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle frame is divided into distinct functional zones: a first frame portion for the engine assembly, a second frame portion for the front-row seats, and a third frame portion for the cargo area. This segmentation allows the engine to be accessed from the cargo area side rather than requiring disassembly of the entire vehicle structure, significantly simplifying the assembly process and improving productivity.
2Ease of operation
If the seat frame is permanently attached to the frame body, then structural integrity is maintained, but the engine assembly cannot be easily installed or accessed
Solution Approach 1:
The seat frame is designed with removable and reattachable characteristics, allowing it to be detached when engine assembly installation or maintenance is required. This dynamic configuration enables easy engine access while maintaining structural integrity when the seat frame is properly reattached, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and structural strength.
3Loss of time
If the engine area is accessible only from the front of the vehicle, then structural requirements are met, but installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of accessing the engine assembly from the traditional front-of-vehicle approach, the frame design allows access from the cargo area side. This inverted access method enables the engine to be lowered into position through the cargo area, reducing installation time and simplifying the overall assembly process while meeting structural requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle includes a frame body defining a cabin area and an engine area. The engine area is primarily accessible from the cabin area during installation of the engine assembly. A seat frame is removably attached to the frame body in the cabin area, and a seat assembly is removably attached to the seat frame. A method of installing the engine assembly during the assembly of the motor vehicle includes the steps of lowering the engine assembly into the cabin area of the frame body, moving the engine assembly along a longitudinal axis into the engine area of the frame body, lowering the engine assembly onto an engine mount in the engine area of the frame body, attaching the seat frame to the frame body in the cabin area, and attaching the seat assembly to the seat frame.