Vehicle Sub-Frame Mounting Nut Radial Ribs Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for assembling a front sub-frame of a vehicle limit the combination stiffness and input point stiffness between the mounting nut and the side member, restricting the improvement of noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) and driving performance.
Innovation Solution
The method involves forming a supporting end on the mounting nut that protrudes radially and integrating die-cast molded ribs on the side member to increase the combined area with the side member, allowing for enhanced NVH and driving performance by forming a firm supporting structure through additional ribs and a semi-circular groove for improved welding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional point combination or line combination is used to assemble mounting nut with side member, then assembly process is simple, but combination stiffness and input point stiffness are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from point combination (0D) or line combination (1D) to area combination (2D) by creating a flange structure with multiple ribs extending radially from the mounting nut. This dimensional expansion increases the combined area between the mounting nut assembly and the side member, thereby significantly improving combination stiffness and input point stiffness while maintaining a relatively simple assembly process through integral forming of the flange with the mounting nut.
2Strength
If additional brackets are used to increase combined area, then supporting structure is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the mounting nut and the flange structure with radial ribs into a single integral component. This eliminates the need for separate additional brackets that would otherwise be required to increase the combined area. The flange with ribs is formed integrally with the mounting nut, reducing the number of parts, simplifying the assembly process, and lowering overall complexity while achieving the desired supporting structure stiffness.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange structure combines the mounting nut body with radially extending ribs to create a composite structural form that functions as both the fastening element and the stiffness-enhancing support structure. This integrated composite design replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components including additional brackets, thereby reducing part count and assembly complexity while achieving the required structural performance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional mounting nut assembly is used, then manufacturing is simple, but NVH performance and driving performance are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The flange structure with radial ribs is formed integrally with the mounting nut during the manufacturing process itself, before assembly. This preliminary formation of the stiffness-enhancing structure eliminates the need for additional manufacturing steps or separate components, thereby improving NVH performance through increased combined area without significantly increasing manufacturing complexity. The integral forming process creates the optimized structure in a single manufacturing operation.
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
This approach enhances the stiffness and reduces noise, vibration, and harshness while simplifying the assembly process, reducing weight and cost by eliminating the need for additional brackets, thereby improving the overall vehicle performance.
Implementation Method 1
welding the supporting end and the head along the circumference of the through hole and a side of the seat, to assemble the sub-frame to the front side member
Data Source
AI summary
A method of assembling a sub-frame of a vehicle with the front side member of the vehicle includes integrally forming a supporting end of a mounting nut that protrudes in a radial direction in a center of an external circumference of the mounting nut, forming a through hole in a lower surface of the front side member, forming a seat as a groove in an internal surface of the through hole, inserting a lower end of the mounting nut into the through hole so that the supporting end is supported by a circumference of the through hole, settling a head of the mounting nut in the seat, and welding the supporting end and the head along the circumference of the through hole and a side of the seat to assemble the sub-frame to the front side member.