Universal Assembly Platform for Lightweight Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to improve the layout and assembly process of lightweight vehicles to enhance flexibility and efficiency in manufacturing various types and configurations, while maintaining social enjoyment and ease of operation.
Innovation Solution
A universal assembly platform with a main vehicle chassis structure, floorboard, energy cell reservoirs, front and rear suspensions, and an electric motor, allowing for the assembly of different lightweight vehicle configurations with energy cells disposed beneath the floorboard, enabling flexible placement and orientation of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a universal assembly platform is used to construct various lightweight vehicles, then manufacturing flexibility and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for a standardized platform structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal assembly platform with standardized chassis structure, floorboard, energy cell reservoir, suspension systems, and motor mounting provisions that can accommodate multiple vehicle types (golf carts, utility vehicles, passenger vehicles). This multi-functional platform resolves the contradiction by enabling diverse vehicle production through a single standardized base, improving manufacturing efficiency while managing complexity through standardization.
2Stability of the object's composition
If energy cells are disposed beneath the floorboard, then vehicle stability and control are improved, but ease of manufacture decreases due to additional structural requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent places the energy cell reservoir within the chassis structure, with the reservoir nested beneath the floorboard. This nesting arrangement improves vehicle stability by positioning heavy energy cells low in the vehicle while managing manufacturing complexity by integrating the reservoir as part of the standardized platform structure rather than a separate addition.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the same universal platform is used for various vehicle configurations, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper component fitment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vehicle into modular segments: standardized platform (chassis, floorboard, reservoir, suspension) and configurable components (seats, body panels, accessories). This segmentation allows different vehicle configurations to be assembled from the same base platform while managing precision requirements by standardizing the platform interface and allowing flexibility in the configurable components.
Data Source
AI summary
A universal assembly platform for lightweight vehicles including a main vehicle chassis structure, a floorboard disposed over a top of the main vehicle chassis structure. The floorboard defines a floor surface of a lightweight vehicle that is subsequently assembled utilizing the universal assembly platform. The platform additionally includes at least one energy cell reservoir disposed below the floorboard. The at least one energy cell reservoir is structured and operable to retain at least one prime mover energy cell that will provide electrical energy to power an electric motor of the lightweight vehicle subsequently assembled utilizing the universal assembly platform.