Hyundai Motor wins JEC innovation award for carbon frame
April 06, 2015 - South Korea
Hyundai Motor has won the Jury Prize at the JEC Innovation Awards 2015 for its innovative carbon-fibre frame design showcased on the Intrado concept car, at Paris.
The JEC Innovation Awards recognises technical excellence, market potential, and originality, rewarding the most innovative composite solutions worldwide. The organisation selected the lightweight and futuristic frame of Intrado, which complements the concept’s advanced fuel-cell powertrain and design, representing the progressive spirit of Hyundai Motor.
At the core of Intrado’s pioneering frame are carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) sections, which are based on carbon-fibre tubes. This approach allows for more effective and flexible use of the carbon material, avoiding long energy-consuming preparation processes. The unique process is a major forward step when compared to conventional steel and other CFRP chassis architectures, Hyundai said in a media statement.
The minimalistic, self-supporting skeleton-like frame structure is highly stable and extremely light weight, saving 70 per cent weight compared to a conventional chassis and around 30 per cent on the overall vehicle weight, without compromising safety attributes.
One essential element of the frame’s overall rigidity is the floating centre console beam. The beam provides Intrado with its unique strength as well as connecting the seating and powertrain to the carbon frame. It serves as a mounting point for essential controls and helps the vehicle’s protective structure. Additionally, it supports the frame’s integration with the fuel cell powertrain components.
The Intrado frame is a result of global collaboration and knowledge-exchange not only within Hyundai Motor but also with two of the world’s pre-eminent carbon fibre producers - Lotte Chemical and Hyosung Corporation. The frame was manufactured by Axon Automotive.
JEC is the largest composites industry organization in Europe and in the world with a network of 250,000 professionals. The company represents, promotes, and expands composites markets by providing global or local networking and information services. JEC’s broad range of products/services and its many promotional activities facilitate the development of business-to-business know-how and connections within the composite industry. (GK)
The JEC Innovation Awards recognises technical excellence, market potential, and originality, rewarding the most innovative composite solutions worldwide. The organisation selected the lightweight and futuristic frame of Intrado, which complements the concept’s advanced fuel-cell powertrain and design, representing the progressive spirit of Hyundai Motor.
At the core of Intrado’s pioneering frame are carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) sections, which are based on carbon-fibre tubes. This approach allows for more effective and flexible use of the carbon material, avoiding long energy-consuming preparation processes. The unique process is a major forward step when compared to conventional steel and other CFRP chassis architectures, Hyundai said in a media statement.
The minimalistic, self-supporting skeleton-like frame structure is highly stable and extremely light weight, saving 70 per cent weight compared to a conventional chassis and around 30 per cent on the overall vehicle weight, without compromising safety attributes.
One essential element of the frame’s overall rigidity is the floating centre console beam. The beam provides Intrado with its unique strength as well as connecting the seating and powertrain to the carbon frame. It serves as a mounting point for essential controls and helps the vehicle’s protective structure. Additionally, it supports the frame’s integration with the fuel cell powertrain components.
The Intrado frame is a result of global collaboration and knowledge-exchange not only within Hyundai Motor but also with two of the world’s pre-eminent carbon fibre producers - Lotte Chemical and Hyosung Corporation. The frame was manufactured by Axon Automotive.
JEC is the largest composites industry organization in Europe and in the world with a network of 250,000 professionals. The company represents, promotes, and expands composites markets by providing global or local networking and information services. JEC’s broad range of products/services and its many promotional activities facilitate the development of business-to-business know-how and connections within the composite industry. (GK)