Scalable Vehicle Chassis Layout for Multi-Width Platform Configurations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle frame designs require multiple parts and complex manufacturing processes to achieve different ride heights and performance configurations, making them impractical for versatile applications.

Innovation Solution

A scalable vehicle chassis system that includes reversible frames, multi-position wheel assembly mounts, and interchangeable performance packages, allowing for configuration changes to accommodate various ride heights and performance needs without additional parts or complex modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple parts and complex manufacturing processes are used to achieve different ride heights and performance configurations, then configuration versatility is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration versatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chassis longitudinal members are designed with universal attachment locators that can accommodate multiple crossmember lengths and configurations. The same longitudinal member structure serves multiple functions by allowing selective attachment of different crossmembers at different positions, enabling various ride heights and performance configurations without requiring separate specialized parts for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The chassis is segmented into modular components including longitudinal members with attachment locators and interchangeable crossmembers of different lengths. This segmentation allows independent selection and assembly of components to achieve different configurations, reducing the need for complex integrated structures while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple parts are used to achieve different configurations, then adaptability is improved, but the number of parts and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration versatilityVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment locators on the longitudinal members are designed as universal features that work with multiple crossmember variants. This universality reduces the total number of parts needed because the same attachment mechanism serves multiple configuration purposes, eliminating the need for separate specialized attachment structures for each configuration type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple configuration capabilities are merged into a single chassis platform design. The longitudinal members incorporate multiple attachment locators that can accommodate different crossmember lengths, merging what would traditionally require separate chassis designs into one unified structure that provides multiple configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If complex manufacturing processes are used to achieve different configurations, then configuration precision is improved, but manufacturing difficulty and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The manufacturing process is segmented into standardized steps for producing longitudinal members with attachment locators and crossmembers of different lengths. Each component can be manufactured independently using standardized processes, then assembled through simple attachment operations, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining precise configuration capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Attachment locators are pre-positioned and integrated into the longitudinal member structure during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex field assembly or modification processes, allowing precise configurations to be achieved through simple attachment of crossmembers to pre-positioned locators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11807302B2Methods and apparatus for scalable vehicle platforms

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for scalable vehicle platforms. An example vehicle chassis disclosed herein includes a right front chassis portion including a first longitudinal member, and a first crossmember attachment locator disposed on the first longitudinal member. The example vehicle chassis includes a left front chassis portion including a second longitudinal member and a second crossmember attachment locator disposed on the second longitudinal member, wherein the vehicle chassis has a first width when a first crossmember is coupled to the first and second crossmember attachment locators and wherein the vehicle chassis has a second width greater than the first width when a second crossmember is coupled to the first and second crossmember attachment locators, the second crossmember longer than the first crossmember.