Vehicle Component Support Structure With Segmented Braces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support structures for in-vehicle components, such as the cowl brace, are complicated and lack sufficient installation and working spaces, leading to increased vehicle size and uneven weight distribution, which affects steering stability and visibility.

Innovation Solution

A support structure comprising a first brace with a frame structure opened toward the front side and a second brace with a box shape open on the rear surface, allowing components to be fitted on the inner side and providing a separate working space, thus making the vehicle body compact and evenly distributing weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a cowl brace is formed by welding a metal pipe and a metal bracket with a complicated shape, then the structural strength is improved, but the installation space and working space for in-vehicle components cannot be secured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The cowl brace is divided into multiple separate braces (first brace, second brace, third brace) that are arranged in a specific configuration. This segmentation allows each brace to be simpler in shape while collectively providing the required structural strength and creating sufficient installation space for components like the rectifier on the inner side.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If a cowl brace is formed by welding a metal pipe and a metal bracket with a complicated shape, then the structural strength is improved, but the working space for attaching components is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidworking space
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the cowl brace into multiple separate braces with simpler individual shapes, the patent creates adequate working space between them for attaching components. The segmented structure allows workers to access and attach components more easily compared to a single complicated welded structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If an in-vehicle component is disposed on an outer side of the cowl brace due to insufficient inner space, then the component can be installed, but the front portion of the vehicle body increases in size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent installationVSAvoidvehicle body size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented brace structure creates an inner installation space that accommodates components like the rectifier, allowing them to be positioned on the inner side rather than the outer side. This maintains a compact front portion of the vehicle body while still enabling component installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Stability of the object's composition

If the cowl brace has a complicated shape, then the structural integrity is maintained, but additional reinforcement is required which increases complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidbrace structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves structural integrity through a carefully arranged configuration of multiple simpler braces rather than relying on a single complicated welded structure. The first, second, and third braces work together to provide the necessary structural support while maintaining lower individual complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3981678B1Support structure for in-vehicle component
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 SUZUKI MOTOR CORP
  • EP3981678B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3981678B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3981678B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to make a front portion of a vehicle body compact while securing an installation space and a working space for an in-vehicle component (100). In order to achieve the object, there is provided a support structure (40) for an in-vehicle component that supports an in-vehicle component at a front side of a vehicle body frame (10). The support structure for an in-vehicle component includes a first brace (41) attached to a front portion of the vehicle body frame (10), and a second brace (61) attached to a front portion of the first brace (41). The first brace (41) has a frame structure that is opened toward a front side, the second brace (61) has a box shape that is open at least on a rear surface side, and an installation space for the in-vehicle component is formed by the first brace (41) and the second brace (61).