Shock Absorber Housing Layout for Compact In-Wheel Vehicle Bodies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle bodies face challenges in accommodating in-wheel systems, requiring additional space and increased complexity in manufacturing and assembly due to the need for separate components like drive units and steering devices, which complicates the design and assembly process.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle body incorporates a plurality of shock absorber housings positioned above the wheels, each with a projection that houses and supports a shock absorber, allowing for efficient use of space and simplified assembly by eliminating the need for a drive shaft and steering device connections, and utilizing a flange unit for secure coupling to the vehicle body member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional vehicle body design with separate drive units and steering devices is used, then the vehicle can accommodate traditional powertrain components, but the device complexity and manufacturing assembly time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of powertrain componentsVSAvoidmanufacturing and assembly process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the drive unit and steering device into a single in-wheel system that is directly mounted on the wheel hub. This merging of previously separate components (engine, transmission, steering mechanism) into one integrated unit eliminates the need for separate drive shafts, axles, and steering linkages, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability for powertrain functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The in-wheel system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both propulsion (drive unit) and directional control (steering device) through a single integrated component mounted on each wheel. This multi-functionality allows the vehicle body to accommodate powertrain components without requiring separate dedicated spaces for drive shafts and steering mechanisms, thus reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If wheel housings and suspension devices are provided for each wheel, then the vehicle can support driving components, but the space required in the vehicle body increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for driving componentsVSAvoidspace occupied in vehicle body

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The in-wheel system is nested directly within the wheel hub structure, eliminating the need for separate wheel housings and suspension devices that would otherwise be required to support these components. The drive unit and steering device are housed within the same spatial envelope as the wheel assembly, effectively nesting multiple functions within a single structural volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent relocates the drive unit and steering device from traditional under-body or engine-bay positions to a vertical arrangement directly on the wheel hub. This dimensional repositioning allows the components to occupy space above the wheel rather than requiring additional lateral or longitudinal space in the vehicle body, thus supporting driving components while minimizing volume occupation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If in-wheel system is adopted, then the vehicle body design can be simplified, but the rigidity and impact absorption capability must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevehicle body design processVSAvoidvehicle body rigidity and impact absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The shock absorber is pre-installed within the shock absorber housing as an integrated unit before the housing is mounted to the vehicle body. This preliminary assembly ensures that the shock absorption mechanism is already in place and properly positioned to handle collision impacts, maintaining strength and rigidity requirements while simplifying the overall vehicle body design process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The shock absorber housing acts as an intermediary structure that connects the in-wheel system to the vehicle body while providing built-in shock absorption capability. This housing serves as both a mounting structure for the in-wheel system and a protective element that absorbs collision impacts, thereby maintaining vehicle body rigidity and impact absorption without complicating the design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11772709B2Vehicle body

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle body includes a plurality of shock absorber housings, each shock absorber housing adapted to cover and support a respective shock absorber connected to a respective wheel of a vehicle, wherein each of the shock absorber housings includes a projection projecting upwards from a lower end of the shock absorber housing with an internal space therein, wherein the lower end of the shock absorber housing or the projection is coupled to the shock absorber such that the shock absorber is disposed in the internal space in the projection.