Utility Vehicle Cargo Bed Integrally Formed Grip

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing design of utility vehicles with dumpable cargo beds requires separate grip members that increase the number of components and installation time, leading to higher costs and reduced workability during dump operations.

Innovation Solution

The utility vehicle features a cargo bed integrally supported by the chassis with concave portions on the side walls for hand-gripping, eliminating the need for separate grip members, and includes a damper for assisted rotation, enhancing workability and reducing weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a separate grip portion is provided on the cargo bed for manual raising, then the cargo bed can be raised manually, but the number of components increases and installation time is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual raising capabilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The grip portion is integrated directly into the side wall of the cargo bed as a recessed groove, eliminating the need for separate grip members. This merging of the grip function into the existing structure reduces component count while maintaining manual raising capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cargo bed side wall itself provides the gripping surface through the recessed groove, eliminating the need for additional dedicated grip components. The structure serves its own gripping function without external assistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a separate grip portion is provided on the cargo bed for manual raising, then the cargo bed can be raised manually, but installation time and labor are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual raising capabilityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The grip portion is formed as an integral recessed groove in the cargo bed side wall during the manufacturing process, eliminating separate installation steps. This integration removes the time required for mounting separate grip components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cargo bed structure itself provides the gripping function through the recessed groove, requiring no additional installation of dedicated grip components and thus eliminating installation time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If a separate grip portion is provided on the cargo bed for manual raising, then the cargo bed can be raised manually, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual raising capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The grip portion is integrated into the cargo bed side wall as a recessed groove, eliminating the need to manufacture and assemble separate grip components. This reduces material costs and assembly operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cargo bed structure itself provides the gripping function, eliminating the need for additional dedicated grip components and reducing overall manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If a separate grip portion is provided on the cargo bed for manual raising, then the cargo bed can be raised manually, but the weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual raising capabilityVSAvoidcargo bed weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The grip portion is formed as an integral recessed groove in the cargo bed side wall, eliminating the need for separate grip members and their associated mounting hardware, thus reducing overall weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cargo bed structure itself provides the gripping function through the recessed groove, eliminating the need for additional dedicated grip components and reducing weight

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

This configuration reduces the number of components and installation time, lowers costs, improves workability by simplifying the grip design, and assists in smooth cargo bed rotation, making the dump operation more efficient and accessible.

Implementation Method 1

Between the cargo bed and the chassis, a damper is installed to energize the cargo bed to the dump position and/or to make the rotation of the cargo bed from the dump position to the normal position slow.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS9187023B2Utility vehicle

Publication Date: 2015.11.17 KAWASAKI MOTORS LTD

AI summary

A utility vehicle is equipped with a chassis, one or more rows of seats disposed on the chassis, and a cargo bed disposed behind the one or more rows of seats. The cargo bed is rotatably supported by a pivot shaft of the chassis so as to be movable up and down between a normal position in which the cargo bed is in a non-raised state and a dump position in which the cargo bed is in a raised state. Concave portions for cargo bed raising use that are used to raise the cargo bed by hand are integrally formed respectively in the left and right side walls of the cargo bed.