Vehicle Underbody Floor Connection Using Standardized Box Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
The vehicle industry faces increased equipment investment and production costs due to manufacturing panel parts with multiple cross-sections, and side impact performance is compromised by rotational deformation of side sills in Purpose Built Vehicles (PBVs).
Innovation Solution
A floor connection structure for a vehicle underbody using box panels with a common cross-section, featuring opened and closed portions that connect along the vehicle width direction and couple to side sills, reducing mold equipment costs and enhancing structural rigidity and impact resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If panel parts with multiple cross-sections are manufactured to fit different vehicle types, then adaptability to various vehicle configurations is improved, but equipment investment and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized box panel with a common cross-sectional structure that can be used across different vehicle types and positions. The box panel features uniform dimensions, wall thickness, and structural characteristics that allow it to serve multiple functions in different locations of the underbody, eliminating the need for multiple specialized panel designs for different vehicle configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the floor panel into multiple standardized box panels that are connected through joining structures. These modular box panels can be assembled in different combinations to accommodate various vehicle types and floor configurations, allowing flexibility through modular assembly rather than requiring custom monolithic panels for each vehicle type.
2Device complexity
If side sills are designed with simple connection structures, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but side impact performance deteriorates due to rotational deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the nested doll principle by placing reinforcement ribs inside the box panel structures and integrating strengthening elements within the existing box panel walls. The reinforcement ribs are positioned within the box panel cavities, and additional strengthening features are embedded within the wall structures, creating layered reinforcement that improves impact resistance without adding external complexity to the side sill connection structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by combining the box panel structure with reinforcement ribs and strengthening elements that create a composite structural system. The box panels are formed with integrated reinforcement features that combine different structural elements into a unified composite structure, improving side impact performance while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through integrated forming processes.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple mold equipment are used to manufacture panel parts with different cross-sections, then manufacturing precision for specific vehicle types is improved, but equipment investment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized box panel with a common cross-sectional structure that can be used across different vehicle types and positions. The box panel features uniform dimensions, wall thickness, and structural characteristics that allow it to serve multiple functions in different locations of the underbody, eliminating the need for multiple specialized panel designs for different vehicle configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by maintaining constant geometric parameters (cross-sectional dimensions, wall thickness, structural features) across all box panels while only varying the number of panels and their arrangement to accommodate different vehicle types. This standardization of key parameters allows a single mold design to produce all box panels, eliminating the need for multiple specialized molds.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment floor connection structure of a vehicle under body configured to connect a floor panel to side sills on both sides of the under body includes a plurality of box panels, each of the box panels including an opened portion and a closed portion, wherein the box panels are configured to be connected to each other along a vehicle width direction, and wherein a first box panel is coupled to a first side sill through the opened portion of the first box panel and a second box panel is coupled to a second side sill through the opened portion of the second box panel.