Vehicle Suspension Assembly With Early Wheel Mounting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing assembly methods for motor vehicles require significant investment in conveyor and transport technology and occupy large spaces due to the need for extensive equipment to move and assemble vehicles, which also limits flexibility in the assembly process.

Innovation Solution

Equipping the chassis with vehicle wheels before entering the main assembly line allows the motor vehicle to move autonomously, reducing the need for external conveyor and transport technology by enabling it to carry its own weight and roll, thereby simplifying the assembly process and allowing for more flexible handling and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the chassis is equipped with vehicle wheels before entering the main assembly line, then the need for conveyor and transport technology is reduced and assembly flexibility is improved, but the vehicle must be moved autonomously which requires its own drive system to be operational

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveyor and transport technologyVSAvoidautonomous movement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle is equipped with wheels before entering the main assembly line, enabling it to move autonomously on its own drive system. This preliminary action of adding mobility capability allows the vehicle to transport itself through the assembly process, eliminating the need for complex external conveyor and transport technology while maintaining operational automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Area of stationary object

If the vehicle moves autonomously on its own wheels, then space requirements and investment costs for conveying technology are reduced, but the vehicle must complete its drive system setup before entering the main assembly line

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly hall spaceVSAvoiddrive system setup timing
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The drive system is set up and tested before the vehicle enters the main assembly line, allowing the vehicle to move autonomously on its own wheels. This preliminary completion of drive system setup reduces the space and investment needed for conveying technology in the assembly hall, as the vehicle transports itself through subsequent assembly stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If wheels are mounted on the chassis early in the process, then the vehicle can bear its own weight and roll, eliminating the need for supporting conveying technology, but this requires reorganizing the assembly sequence

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveying and transport technologyVSAvoidassembly process flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Wheels are mounted on the chassis before the vehicle enters the main assembly line, enabling the vehicle to bear its own weight and move autonomously. This eliminates the need for conveying and transport technology that would otherwise be required to support and move the vehicle through the assembly process. The assembly sequence is reorganized to accommodate this early wheel mounting, with the vehicle then proceeding through interior fitting and other assembly stages on its own mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2655177B1Assembly process of a suspension of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 MERCEDES BENZ GROUP AG
  • EP2655177B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2655177B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2655177B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for fitting motor vehicles, in particular passenger vehicles, with a self-supporting body shell (42), in which the body shell (42) of the motor vehicle is provided with an associated chassis (16), wherein the chassis (16) is provided with vehicle wheels (72) at least prior to reaching an end of a main assembly line (46), and in particular following the arrangement of the chassis (16) on the body shell (42) of the motor vehicle within the course of marriage thereof.