Utility Vehicle Cargo Box Clamp for Composite Sidewalls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing attachment methods for utility vehicle cargo boxes, particularly those made of composite materials, require drilling holes, which can damage the sidewalls, and do not accommodate manufacturing tolerances or thermal expansion, necessitating a tool-free solution that is compatible with lightweight and durable materials.
Innovation Solution
An attachment clamp with inner and outer plates hinged at the top, gripping portions, and a handle with a lobe mechanism that allows for tool-free mounting and relocation on a bar along the cargo box sidewall, incorporating a coil spring for easy clamping and unlocking, suitable for composite materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If drilling holes into composite cargo box sidewalls to mount attachments, then attachments can be securely mounted, but the sidewalls are damaged or destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary attachment clamp system that mediates between the attachment and the cargo box sidewall. The clamp grips the sidewall externally through friction and mechanical advantage without penetrating or drilling into the composite material, thus securing attachments while preserving sidewall integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical drilling and fastening system with a friction-based gripping system. The attachment clamp uses friction between its gripping surfaces and the sidewall, combined with mechanical advantage from the cam mechanism, to achieve secure mounting without mechanical penetration that would damage the composite sidewall.
2Reliability
If using rigid attachment mounting methods, then attachments are securely fixed, but manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic attachment clamp mechanism with movable gripping portions and a cam-based adjustment system. This allows the clamp to adapt its position and grip force dynamically, accommodating variations in sidewall dimensions due to manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion while maintaining secure attachment fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the form of adjustable clamp positioning and variable grip force through the cam mechanism. The system can adjust its geometric parameters (position, angle, force) to accommodate changes in the sidewall dimensions caused by manufacturing tolerances and thermal effects, maintaining reliable attachment fixation.
3Ease of manufacture
If using traditional bolt-on or drilled attachment methods, then attachments can be mounted, but tools and hardware are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service attachment system where the clamp is designed to be manually operated without requiring external tools. The cam mechanism and lever arm enable the user to directly apply force and secure the attachment through hand operation, eliminating the need for drills, bolts, or other specialized hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the mounting function from the cargo box itself and places it in the removable attachment clamp. The clamp contains all necessary mounting components (gripping surfaces, cam mechanism, lever) in one self-contained unit that can be independently operated without requiring separate tools or hardware from the cargo box structure.
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
Enables secure and tool-free mounting of attachments on utility vehicle cargo boxes without damaging the sidewalls, accommodating manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion, while maintaining the durability of composite materials.
Implementation Method 1
A coil spring may be positioned between the inner and outer plates.
Implementation Method 2
A handle is pivotably connected to a rod extending between the inner and outer plates and has a lobe that cams and moves the plates between the clamped and unclamped positions.
Implementation Method 3
A handle is pivotably connected to a rod extending between the inner and outer plates and has a lobe that cams and moves the plates
Data Source
AI summary
An attachment clamp for a utility vehicle cargo box with a cylindrical bar along a top surface of the sidewall. The attachment clamp includes an inner plate positioned inside the sidewall, and an outer plate hinged to the inner plate and positioned outside the sidewall. Each of the inner plate and outer plate including a bar gripping element to grip the bar along a top surface of the sidewall. A handle is connected to the plates and pivotable to move the inner and outer plates together to a clamped position around the bar or apart to an unclamped position. The handle may include a lobe that cams the plates together and enters a recess in the outer plate in the clamped position, and a spring urging the inner and outer plates apart toward the unclamped position.