Commercial Vehicle Bow Coupling Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing multi-part end bow construction for commercial vehicles is cumbersome to handle and poses a risk of injury during loading and unloading, as the separate parts can detach and require manual alignment, often necessitating additional tools and posing safety hazards.

Innovation Solution

A bow construction with a coupling device featuring a coupling bar and receptacle, activated by a spring element and pull cable, which locks the parts together securely, allowing for easy engagement and disengagement without manual intervention, and is controlled by the opening and closing of the rear cover, ensuring safe and efficient lifting and lowering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a multi-part end bow construction is used to allow rear loading, then loading height utilization is improved, but the risk of part detachment and injury increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading height utilizationVSAvoidpart detachment risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The end bow is divided into a first bow and a second bow that can be independently positioned. The first bow remains in its original position while the second bow is raised to allow rear loading access, enabling full utilization of loading height while maintaining structural separation for safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A coupling device with coupling bar and coupling receptacle acts as an intermediary mechanism between the first and second bows. This coupling device securely connects the two bow parts together, preventing detachment while allowing controlled engagement and disengagement through the activation device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the second bow is raised for rear loading, then loading access is improved, but manual alignment and handling complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading accessVSAvoidmanual alignment requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling device incorporates an activation device that automatically locks the coupling bar into the coupling receptacle when the second bow is raised. This self-locking mechanism eliminates the need for manual alignment and securing operations, reducing handling complexity while maintaining ease of loading access

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If a coupling device with activation mechanism is added, then security against detachment is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling securityVSAvoidcoupling mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring active mechanisms to maintain coupling, the design uses a passive coupling bar and receptacle that naturally engage and lock together. The activation device simply needs to release the coupling rather than maintain it, simplifying the overall mechanism while ensuring security against detachment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 solution simplifies the handling of the bow construction, reduces the risk of accidents by ensuring secure coupling and decoupling, and allows for safe operation without the need for additional tools, enhancing safety and efficiency during loading and unloading processes.

Implementation Method 1

The coupling device itself has a coupling bar ( 7) and a coupling receptacle (8), the coupling bar (7) being designed with an activation device (9) for locking and unlocking the coupling bar (7) with/from the coupling receptacle (8)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring element: Spring

Implementation Method 2

The coupling bar being designed with an activation device for locking and unlocking the coupling bar with/from the coupling receptacle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force transmission: Tension

Data Source

PatentEP3170721B1Roof arch structure, structure for commercial vehicles, swap bridges, and commercial vehicle with body
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 KOEGEL TRAILER GMBH
  • EP3170721B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3170721B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3170721B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a frame construction 1 for supporting and lifting covers on commercial vehicles, containers, and/or trailers, comprising a first frame 2 for connecting to a rear cover 3, and a second frame 4 for supporting a roof cover 5, wherein the second frame 4 is designed to be arranged on the first frame 2. The frame construction has at least one coupling device 6 for coupling the first frame 2 to the second frame 4, which includes a coupling bolt 7 and a coupling receptacle 8, wherein the coupling bolt 7 is designed with an activation device 9 for locking and unlocking the coupling bolt with/from the coupling receptacle. The invention also relates to a superstructure and a swap body for commercial vehicles, as well as commercial vehicles with a superstructure, each equipped with the aforementioned frame construction.