Height-Adjustable Cross Member for Commercial Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cross members for commercial vehicles are not easily adaptable to different vehicle types and configurations, leading to increased assembly complexity, storage challenges, and rigid dimensions that complicate body mounting, resulting in high costs and inefficiencies in warehousing and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A height-adjustable cross member design featuring a central part with connection consoles that allow attachment to longitudinal frame members at multiple positions via fastening means, enabling flexible positioning relative to the frame's upper edge, and the use of intermediate elements for indirect fastening, accommodating various vehicle configurations and reducing assembly complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple different fixed-height cross members are provided for different vehicle types, then adaptability to different vehicle configurations is improved, but device complexity and assembly effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection console is designed with multiple connection structures at different heights, allowing a single cross member to serve multiple vehicle types and configurations. The connection console can be attached to longitudinal frame members at various positions, making one component universally applicable across different vehicle models rather than requiring separate cross members for each configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross member design transitions from fixed-height variants to a dynamically adjustable configuration. The connection console provides selectable connection structures that enable height adjustment, allowing the same cross member to adapt its effective height based on the specific vehicle configuration requirements, thereby reducing the need for multiple static variants.
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed-height cross members are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability for different vehicle types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cross member is segmented into distinct functional components: the central part and the connection console. The connection console is further segmented into multiple connection structures at different heights. This segmentation allows the base cross member design to remain simple for manufacturing, while the modular connection console provides the adaptability needed for different vehicle types through selective attachment positions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid non-changeable frame dimensions are used, then structural stability is improved, but ease of operation for body manufacturers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connection console acts as an intermediary element between the cross member and the longitudinal frame members. It provides multiple connection structures that serve as intermediate attachment points, allowing body manufacturers to select appropriate mounting positions that accommodate different body types while maintaining the structural integrity and stability of the frame itself.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4e
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A pair of connection consoles (3), each provided with bolt holes (4), is provided to both ends of a central section (2). The consoles attach the central section between side members (5) as such that the central section is positioned at any height relative to the tops of the side members. The consoles and the central section surround a transmission shaft (10) connected to the back of a transmission (9).