Four-Passenger Utility Vehicle Frame Layout for Terrain Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current side-by-side all-terrain vehicles typically accommodate only two passengers and limited cargo, lacking the capacity to efficiently transport four passengers over varied terrains while maintaining operational efficiency and safety.
Innovation Solution
The design of a utility vehicle with a robust frame supported by ground engaging members, featuring a dual seating arrangement with an operator area, roll cage, and roof structure, along with a powertrain assembly that includes a skid plate and cooling system integration, to enhance passenger capacity and terrain adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional two-passenger ATV configuration is used, then the vehicle maintains simplicity and ease of operation, but it cannot accommodate four passengers or provide sufficient cargo capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is divided into modular frame assemblies including a front frame assembly with steering components and a rear frame assembly with powertrain components, coupled together to create a scalable platform that can accommodate four passengers while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The seating arrangement nests passengers in two rows with the front seating section containing the operator and front passenger, and the rear seating section containing two additional passengers, efficiently utilizing vertical and horizontal space within the vehicle body
2Quantity of substance
If a rear seat is added to support additional passengers, then passenger capacity increases, but the vehicle loses cargo space and overall balance
Solution Approach 1:
The frame tube dimensions and wall thicknesses are varied locally throughout the structure, with heavier gauge tubes positioned at critical load-bearing locations such as the coupling between front and rear frame assemblies and at the seating mounting points, to maintain vehicle balance and stability while accommodating four passengers
3Strength
If a robust frame structure is implemented to support four passengers, then structural integrity is improved, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frame utilizes composite construction combining steel tubes for the main structural framework with aluminum or lighter materials for non-critical components, achieving the necessary strength to support four passengers while minimizing overall vehicle weight through strategic material selection
4Adaptability or versatility
If ground engaging members are designed for varied terrain, then terrain adaptability is improved, but the vehicle becomes more complex and harder to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The ground engaging members are designed with universal features including adjustable suspension settings and interchangeable tire options that can handle multiple terrain types from dirt roads to sand, providing versatile terrain adaptability without requiring complex specialized mechanisms for each terrain type
Data Source
AI summary
A utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground engaging members and a frame supported by the plurality of ground engaging members. Additionally, the utility vehicle includes an operator area having a front seating section and a rear seating section.