Cargo Vehicle Flooring Assembly with Adjustable Tongue and Groove Planks
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for installing flooring in delivery vehicles result in size variance among extruded aluminum planks, leading to a gap between the rear structure and the floor structure, necessitating a filler panel with numerous bolts, which is time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A flooring assembly with planks having tongues and grooves of varying sizes, along with a threshold plank, allows for variance in plank width without the need for a filler panel, using pre-drilled risers and bolts to secure the planks, and a tongue bar that fits into a channel to complete the flooring structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional flooring installation methods are used with extruded aluminum planks, then the flooring can be installed in the cargo compartment, but size variance among planks creates gaps between the rear structure and floor structure, necessitating a filler panel with numerous bolts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimensional parameters of the floor planks by providing adjustable length extensions at the rearward ends. This allows the flooring assembly to accommodate size variance among planks and eliminate gaps without requiring a complex filler panel with numerous bolts, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The flooring assembly is segmented into individual planks with independent adjustable extensions. Each plank can be independently adjusted to fit the specific cargo compartment dimensions, eliminating the need for a monolithic filler panel and reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining precision
2Manufacturing precision
If a filler panel with numerous bolts is used to eliminate gaps, then the flooring assembly becomes complete, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
By providing adjustable length extensions on the floor planks themselves, the patent eliminates the need for a separate filler panel installation process. The extensions are integrated into the planks and can be adjusted in place, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining assembly completeness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the gap-filling function into the floor planks themselves through the adjustable extensions. This eliminates the need for a separate filler panel component and its associated installation steps, reducing both time and cost while achieving the same completeness objective
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional flooring methods are used, then the installation can be completed, but the process is costly due to the need for filler panels and numerous bolts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameters of the floor planks by incorporating adjustable length extensions, which eliminates the need for expensive filler panels and numerous bolts. This reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the completeness and precision of the flooring assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the gap-filling function from a separate filler panel component and integrates it directly into the floor planks through adjustable extensions. This eliminates the need for additional components and reduces overall manufacturing cost while maintaining assembly completeness
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a delivery vehicle having a driver compartment and a cargo compartment. The cargo compartment is located adjacent the driver compartment. An at least one riser extends along at least a portion of the cargo compartment. The at least one riser includes a plurality of holes disposed therein. Each of the plurality of holes disposed in the at least one riser are spaced apart from each other a predetermined distance. A flooring assembly is located in the cargo compartment and supported by the at least one riser. The flooring assembly includes: at least a plurality of floor planks; each floor plank of the at least the plurality of floor planks has a longitudinal extent, a width transverse to the longitudinal extent, a longitudinally extending tongue located at a first end of the width, and a longitudinally extending groove located at a second end of the width opposite the first end of the width; wherein the each floor plank of the at least the plurality of floor planks is fastened to one of the plurality of holes disposed in the at least one riser.