Vehicle Cargo Bracket Flexing Under Load

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle cargo structures lack flexibility to accommodate varying cargo loads, leading to reduced durability and performance under different driving conditions.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle cargo structure design featuring an inboard side wall structure, an upright strut member, a front wall structure, and a bracket system that allows for flexibility by securing the reinforcement panel to the upright strut member and front wall structure via mechanical fasteners, enabling the structure to flex in response to cargo changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the cargo structure is made rigid to maintain structural integrity, then strength and stability are improved, but the ability to flex and adapt to varying cargo loads is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidflexibility to cargo loads

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing a flexible bracket connection system between the reinforcement panel and the upright strut member. The bracket is secured via mechanical fasteners that allow the structure to flex and move dynamically in response to varying cargo loads, rather than being rigidly fixed. This enables the cargo structure to adapt its shape and stiffness characteristics based on the actual loading conditions, resolving the contradiction between maintaining structural integrity and achieving flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cargo structure is designed to flex and move with cargo loads, then adaptability and service life are improved, but structural stability under constant load is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility to cargo loadsVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing the elastic properties of the bracket connection system. The mechanical fasteners and bracket design allow the structure to change its stiffness parameter dynamically - remaining stable under constant loads through elastic deformation, then flexing when cargo loads change. The reinforcement panel can deflect and return to its original position, maintaining stability while accommodating load variations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If mechanical fasteners are used to secure the bracket to the front wall structure, then ease of assembly and disassembly is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidfastening system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the fastening system into separate functional components: the bracket, the mechanical fasteners, and the front wall structure attachment points. This modular segmentation allows for easier assembly and disassembly operations while keeping each individual component relatively simple in design, balancing ease of manufacture with acceptable complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11643150B2Vehicle cargo structure

Publication Date: 2023.05.09 NISSAN MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle cargo structure includes a reinforcement panel, an upright strut member having an upper end, a front wall structure having an attachment bracket fixed to an outboard upper end of the front wall structure and a bracket. The bracket is fixedly attached to a forward portion of the reinforcement panel and the upper end of the upright strut member. The bracket is further secured to the attachment bracket of the front wall structure via mechanical fasteners.