Grid architecture for powertrain packaging

摘要

A method to improve design efficiency by reducing power plant complexity and engineering costs by minimizing power plant changes when installing into new powertrain groups. A three-dimensional grid is defined for the powertrain group with power plant and transmission zones to define projections for attaching selected components to a powertrain version. The zones correspond to matrices dividing each of a width, length, and height of a respective plant and of a transmission into specified proportions. A respective zone is designated for attaching each of the selected components within the group. Each powertrain version is designed to place each selected component for a powertrain version within a predetermined tolerance margin of its respective designated zone. The grid organization is also applied to placement of components and placement of the powertrain itself within the underhood environment of a vehicle, a vehicle platform, or a group of vehicle models.

主权项

1. A method of manufacturing a vehicle fleet wherein a plurality of vehicle models are built having coordinated designs within a powertrain group, wherein the powertrain group includes a plurality of powertrain versions, each powertrain version including a respective design for a respective power plant and a respective transmission, the method comprising the steps of:
assembling a powertrain of each vehicle within each of the plurality of vehicle models according to a three-dimensional grid corresponding to the powertrain group having a plurality of power plant zones and a plurality of transmission zones, wherein selected components for each powertrain version are attached to each respective powertrain unit within a predetermined tolerance margin of a respective projection defined for the power plant zones and transmission zones, wherein the power plant zones correspond to a first matrix dividing each of a width, length, and height of a respective power plant into a first fixed proportion, and wherein the transmission zones correspond to a second matrix dividing each of a width and height of a respective transmission into the first fixed proportion and a length of the respective transmission into a second fixed proportion; wherein each respective zone for attaching each of the selected components is common to all the respective power plants and respective transmissions of the powertrain group.