Variable Cross-Section Vehicle Compartment for Lightweight Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cargo vehicles have heavy vehicle compartments that affect fuel consumption and cargo capacity, necessitating a reduction in curb weight to improve fuel efficiency and increase cargo capacity.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight variable cross-section vehicle compartment design with varying thicknesses in plates and beams, utilizing the 'equal strength' concept to maximize weight reduction while maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the vehicle compartment uses uniform thick plates to ensure structural strength, then the strength is sufficient, but the weight becomes too large
Solution Approach 1:
The side plates and bottom plates are designed with variable thickness rather than uniform thickness. The thickness is increased at locations experiencing higher stress (such as lower portions and connection areas) and reduced at locations with lower stress, achieving both strength requirements and weight reduction. This local quality variation allows the structure to maintain sufficient strength while minimizing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thickness parameter of the plates from a constant value to a variable value that changes according to position. By optimizing the thickness distribution based on stress analysis, the design achieves the minimum required strength at each location while reducing total material usage and weight.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle compartment weight is reduced to improve fuel efficiency, then fuel consumption decreases, but the structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The variable thickness design ensures that plates are thick enough at critical locations to maintain structural strength while being thinner at non-critical locations, achieving weight reduction for improved fuel efficiency without compromising overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved or arched structures in the side plates and bottom plates, which inherently provide better structural strength-to-weight ratios compared to flat plates. The curved geometry distributes stresses more effectively, allowing for weight reduction while maintaining strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A lightweight variable cross-section vehicle compartment is provided. The vehicle compartment at least includes a bottom plate and two side plates, the two side plates being arranged on the left side and the right side of the bottom plate respectively, the two side plates being of variable cross-section structures, and the thickness of the bottom of the side plate being greater than the thickness of the top of the side plate. In the lightweight variable cross-section vehicle compartment, the material thickness is designed according to the idea of “equal strength”, and while meeting the requirement for a load bearing strength, the vehicle compartment uses a variable cross-section design so as to maximize weight reduction, thus realizing the weight reduction lightweight structural design of a cargo vehicle, effectively reducing the oil consumption of the vehicle and increasing the cargo capacity.