Cargo Floor Drive System Vertical Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cargo floor designs with drive systems located below or at the front occupy excessive space, limiting the horizontal slat direction and reducing the available loading area, as the drive components obstruct the surface and require additional support structures.
Innovation Solution
A cargo floor with two or more groups of movable slats extending between the front and rear sides, where drive cylinder assemblies are positioned at least partially in front of the slats, allowing the slats to be attached to the upper side of drive feet, thereby creating a vertically compact arrangement that maximizes the loading surface by keeping the drive components above or within the slat space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If drive feet and drive cylinders are located below the floor or at the front of the cargo space, then the drive system can be implemented, but the arrangement occupies excessive space in the horizontal slat direction and reduces the available loading area
Solution Approach 1:
The drive cylinder assemblies are repositioned from horizontal placement (below or in front of the cargo space) to a vertical arrangement where they extend at least partially in front of the slats in the longitudinal direction. This dimensional change allows the drive components to occupy vertical space rather than horizontal loading space, resolving the contradiction between drive system implementation and loading area availability
2Ease of manufacture
If drive feet are located in front of the slats and connected by fingers extending horizontally, then the drive system can be implemented, but the arrangement is complex and occupies more space in the slat direction
Solution Approach 1:
The slats are attached directly to the upper side of the drive feet, merging the slat support function with the drive foot structure. This eliminates the need for separate horizontal fingers to connect drive feet to slats, simplifying the arrangement while maintaining drive system functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between slats and drive feet is repositioned from horizontal extension (fingers) to vertical attachment (slats on upper side of drive feet). This dimensional change simplifies the structure by eliminating complex horizontal connecting elements while maintaining the drive mechanism
3Ease of manufacture
If slats extend through a bulkhead of the cargo space with the entire drive located in front of the bulkhead, then the drive system can be implemented, but the surface of the slat portions and further space in front of the bulkhead cannot be used for loading purposes
Solution Approach 1:
The drive cylinder assemblies are repositioned to extend at least partially in front of the slats in the longitudinal direction, utilizing the vertical space above the slats rather than requiring the slats to extend through the bulkhead. This allows the entire upper surface of the slats to remain available for loading while the drive components occupy the vertical space above them
Data Source
AI summary
A cargo supporting floor has two or more groups of movable slats attached to drive feet which drive cylinder assemblies reciprocate. The drive cylinder assemblies are at least partially in front of the groups of slats, the slats being attached to the upper sides of the drive feet with movable components at least partially below the upper surfaces of the slats, the movable components being above the lower surfaces of the slats and/or above the upper surfaces of the drive feet.