Tensioned Belt Restraint for Commercial Vehicle Load Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing commercial vehicle bodies face challenges with bulky and rigid insert slats that occupy storage space, offer limited retention functionality, and pose safety risks due to their inflexibility and tendency to buckle under load, while alternative solutions like safety nets are cumbersome to install and store.

Innovation Solution

Implementing belt-like, flexible stiffening elements that can be tensioned between stanchions, providing a more effective and space-efficient load retention system that absorbs transverse forces and is safer and easier to store.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rigid insert slats are used to secure loads, then load retention function is provided, but storage space is occupied and handling becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload retention functionVSAvoidstorage space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid insert slats with flexible webbing that can be stretched between stanchions to secure loads. The webbing maintains its load retention function while being able to be compactly stored when not in use, directly resolving the contradiction between providing reliable load retention and minimizing storage space occupation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The webbing is designed to be dynamically adjustable - it can be stretched taut between stanchions during loading to provide retention, and then relaxed and folded for compact storage. This dynamic transformation allows the same component to serve both functions effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid insert slats are used for load retention, then structural stability is provided, but safety risk increases due to buckling and falling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidsafety risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible webbing eliminates the buckling problem inherent in rigid slats by being unable to buckle under load. It maintains structural stability through tension rather than rigid support, and cannot fall out of position since it is stretched taut between attachment points, thereby eliminating the safety risks associated with rigid slats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of rigid slats buckling and falling into a benefit by using flexible webbing that cannot buckle. The flexibility that might seem to reduce stability actually prevents the harmful buckling behavior, turning a perceived weakness into a safety advantage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If safety nets are used instead of insert slats, then load retention is provided, but installation and storage become cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveload retention functionVSAvoidinstallation and storage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The webbing is a simplified version of safety nets - a single flexible strip that can be quickly stretched between two stanchions without the complexity of multiple fastening points. This maintains load retention functionality while dramatically simplifying both installation and storage operations compared to traditional safety nets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than using a single large safety net that requires multiple attachment points and complex installation, the patent segments the retention function into individual webbing strips that can be independently installed between adjacent stanchions. This segmentation simplifies the installation process and makes each component more manageable for storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The flexible stiffening elements offer enhanced load retention, reduced storage space requirements, improved safety, and easier handling, as they can be rolled up and securely attached to stanchions, providing better elasticity and stability compared to traditional insert slats.

Implementation Method 1

The flexible stiffening elements can be easily stowed away. For example, the stiffening elements can be rolled up and stored in the toolbox. It goes without saying that the stiffening elements are detachably connected to the stanchions.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3543052B1Commercial vehicle structure and commercial vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.11.22 KOEGEL TRAILER GMBH

Figure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a commercial vehicle body, in particular a tarpaulin body, with a loading platform (10) and stanchions (11) connected to the loading platform (10), wherein at least one restraint element (12) is arranged between and connects two adjacent stanchions (11). The invention is characterized in that the restraint element (12) comprises a belt-like, flexible stiffening element (13) that is capable of withstanding tensile stress and has two fastening ends (14), wherein the fastening ends (14) are connected to the adjacent stanchions (11) in a tensile-resistant manner and the stiffening element (13) is tensioned between the stanchions (11).