Roof Unit Mounting Interface for Vehicle Platform Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle roof construction requires specific roof units for each vehicle version, leading to increased manufacturing costs and inefficiencies due to the need for customized frames to fit different external gauges, whereas a shared platform approach aims to reduce costs by using common elements across various vehicle types.
Innovation Solution
A mounting interface system that adjusts the vehicle body geometry to accommodate a shared roof unit frame, allowing the same roof unit to be used across multiple vehicle versions by varying the vehicle body's elongated structural elements, such as headers and lateral supports, rather than the roof unit's frame, with a simple design interface made from a single foil or integrated into existing structural elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a specific roof unit with customized frame is designed for each vehicle version, then the roof unit fits the specific external gauge of each vehicle version, but the manufacturing cost increases and the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single standardized roof unit frame that can be used across multiple vehicle versions (sedan, hatchback, estate, SUV, convertible) on the same platform. The frame dimensions are standardized to fit a common roof opening, eliminating the need for customized frames for each vehicle type. This allows the same roof unit to serve multiple functions across different vehicle configurations, significantly reducing manufacturing costs and design complexity while maintaining adaptability through the standardized interface design.
2Ease of manufacture
If a standardized roof unit frame is used across multiple vehicle versions, then the manufacturing cost decreases and design complexity reduces, but the fit to specific external gauge may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the roof system into two independent parts: a standardized roof unit frame and vehicle-specific body structures. The roof unit frame with standardized dimensions is separated from the vehicle body, allowing it to remain universal across different vehicle versions. The vehicle body's elongated structural elements (headers, lateral supports) are designed to accommodate this standardized frame, with each vehicle version having its own body geometry but sharing the common roof unit interface. This segmentation enables cost-effective standardized production while maintaining adaptability to specific external gauges through the body structure design.
3Shape
If the roof unit frame geometry is adjusted for each vehicle version, then the specific external gauge is met, but the number of custom frame molds and tooling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by establishing a single standardized frame geometry for the roof unit that serves all vehicle versions on the platform. This universal frame design eliminates the need for multiple custom molds and tooling setups, reducing device complexity in the manufacturing process. The standardized frame maintains the necessary external gauge fit through its dimensions being specifically designed to match the common roof opening specifications across all vehicle types, allowing one set of molds and tooling to produce frames for sedan, hatchback, estate, SUV, and convertible versions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If vehicle body geometry is adjusted to accommodate a shared roof unit, then the roof unit can be shared across versions, but the vehicle body design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by clearly separating the standardized roof unit module from the vehicle-specific body module. The roof unit with its standardized frame becomes an independent, interchangeable component that can be mounted on different vehicle body versions. The vehicle body's elongated structural elements (front header, rear header, lateral structural supports) are designed with standardized interfaces to accommodate this common roof unit. This segmentation allows the complex body geometry variations between vehicle types to be handled in the body design phase, while the roof unit remains a simple, standardized component that simplifies overall system management and manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention mainly relates to a fixation means, in the form of a mounting interface (9), for mounting a roof unit (5) on a vehicle body in a roof opening (2) of said vehicle body, said roof unit (5) comprising a frame (7), said vehicle body comprising elongated structural elements surrounding said roof opening (2). The fixation means is characterised in that it has a vehicle portion, for fixation with the vehicle body at the level of an elongated structural element, and has a frame portion, for fixation with the frame (7), the distance between the vehicle portion and the frame portion defining the height of the roof unit (5) in a specific vehicle. This invention also relates to the corresponding roof structure and set of vehicle belonging the same platform.