Integrated Center Frame for Vehicle Body Stiffness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle body structures with a basket-shaped frame are prone to twisting, reducing the occupant's feel of acceleration and increasing manufacturing complexity and costs due to their multiple components.

Innovation Solution

A body structure featuring a center frame extending longitudinally with support members on either side that support the steering system, pedal system, seat, and footrest, made from aluminum die casting to enhance stiffness and reduce part count, while allowing for a direct feel of acceleration and simplified manufacturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a basket-shaped frame with multiple frames is used, then the structural flexibility is improved, but the vehicle body stiffness deteriorates causing twist and reducing occupant acceleration feel

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural flexibilityVSAvoidvehicle body stiffness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate frames into a single integrated center frame structure. The center frame integrates the functions of multiple frames while maintaining structural flexibility through its design, and improves vehicle body stiffness by providing a unified rigid structure that reduces twisting during acceleration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If a basket-shaped frame with multiple frames is used, then the structural support capability is improved, but the device complexity increases leading to complex manufacturing processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural support capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple frames into a single center frame structure, reducing the number of parts and simplifying the manufacturing process. The integrated design maintains all necessary structural support capabilities while eliminating the complexity of assembling multiple separate frames.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The center frame is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - providing structural support, reducing vehicle body twist, and serving as a mounting structure for various vehicle components. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate specialized frames, simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Area of stationary object

If a basket-shaped frame with multiple frames is used, then the structural coverage is improved, but the quantity of parts increases leading to higher manufacturing costs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural coverageVSAvoidnumber of parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple frames into a single center frame that provides equivalent or superior structural coverage. This integration reduces the number of parts from multiple separate frames to one unified structure, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining comprehensive structural coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10071655B2Vehicle body structure

Publication Date: 2018.09.11 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A body structure includes: a center frame extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle at the center in the vehicle width direction; and at least one support member extending toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction from the center frame. The support member supports at least one of a steering system, a pedal system, a seat, and a footrest member.