Wheel Housing Speaker Mounting for Rear Floor Space Constraints

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Solution Overview

Problem

The evolution of pollutant treatment systems in motor vehicles reduces the available volume in the rear floor, making it insufficient to accommodate a speaker module like a subwoofer, which is typically installed there.

Innovation Solution

An internal wheel arch with a planar fixing surface and an oblong opening, reinforced by a steel sheet, is used to securely attach a speaker module, allowing for its installation without cluttering the floor and optimizing space by using the wheel arch area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If pollutant treatment systems are installed in the rear floor, then emissions control is improved, but available space for speaker module installation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemissions controlVSAvoidavailable space in rear floor
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The speaker module is relocated from the horizontal rear floor space to the vertical wheel arch structure, utilizing the vertical dimension and side space of the vehicle body. This dimensional transition allows both the pollutant treatment system and speaker module to coexist without spatial conflict.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the wheel arch is modified to accommodate a speaker module, then space utilization is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidwheel arch structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel arch structure is divided into functional zones: a mounting surface area for the speaker module and the remaining structural area. This segmentation allows the speaker housing to be integrated as a distinct component without redesigning the entire wheel arch, thereby limiting the increase in manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting surface on the wheel arch is designed to serve dual purposes: providing structural support for the wheel assembly and serving as a mounting platform for the speaker module. This multi-functionality allows space utilization improvement without requiring entirely separate structural elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3697674B1Motor vehicle wheel housing carrying a speaker module
Publication Date: 2023.12.13 RENAULT SA
  • EP3697674B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3697674B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3697674B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to an internal wheel housing (110), in particular a rear internal wheel housing (110), of a motor vehicle (1), characterised in that said internal wheel housing (110) comprises a fastening surface (111), more particularly a planar or substantially planar fastening surface (111), for at least partially allowing fastening of a speaker module (11), particularly a bass box.