Cargo Vehicle Outer Skirt Layout for Clean Lifting Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

In combined transport vehicles, the presence of gripping means associated with the rear marking strip on the vertical sides requires a large opening between mudguards, leading to safety issues due to the release of projections and dirt accumulation, which can cause improper positioning of the lifting system and potential damage to the vehicle or goods during transshipment.

Innovation Solution

A design featuring a continuous outer skirt between the front and rear mudguards with a recessed portion below the gripping means, reducing the risk of lateral splashes and dirt accumulation, and ensuring the skirt's continuity maintains an anti-projection function even below the gripping area, allowing for secure and clean positioning of the lifting system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a wide opening is left between the outer skirts to allow passage of the lifting system, then the lifting system can be correctly positioned relative to the gripping means, but projections are released while the vehicle is moving, reducing safety for other road users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning of lifting systemVSAvoidrelease of projections
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outer skirt is divided into three longitudinal portions: first and second portions that extend laterally to allow lifting system passage, and an intermediate recessed portion that is set back to reduce projection release. This segmentation allows different sections to fulfill different functions - the lateral portions enable operational access while the recessed intermediate portion minimizes harmful projection release during vehicle motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If a wide opening is left between the outer skirts to allow passage of the lifting system, then the lifting system can be correctly positioned relative to the gripping means, but the marking strips located just above the wheels become soiled, leading to degradation or disappearance of these strips

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning of lifting systemVSAvoidvisibility of marking strips
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The outer skirt is divided into three longitudinal portions: first and second portions that extend laterally to allow lifting system passage, and an intermediate recessed portion that is set back to reduce projection release. This segmentation allows different sections to fulfill different functions - the lateral portions enable operational access while the recessed intermediate portion minimizes harmful projection release during vehicle motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The recessed intermediate portion of the outer skirt acts as a mediator between the wheel area and the marking strips. By being set back inwards, it creates a protective barrier that prevents direct contact between projected debris and the marking strips, while still allowing the lifting system to pass through the lateral portions without obstruction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the outer skirt is made continuous between front and rear mudguards, then the anti-projection function is maintained, but the gripping means area requires access for lifting system passage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprojection releaseVSAvoidaccess for lifting system
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The outer skirt is divided into three longitudinal portions: first and second portions that extend laterally to allow lifting system passage, and an intermediate recessed portion that is set back to reduce projection release. This segmentation allows different sections to fulfill different functions - the lateral portions enable operational access while the recessed intermediate portion minimizes harmful projection release during vehicle motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4169814B1Combined cargo transport vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.02.28 JEAN CHEREAU
  • EP4169814B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4169814B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4169814B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The combined goods transport vehicle comprises at least one axle 32 supporting at least two opposing wheels 13, a body 10, and two pairs of opposing mudguards, each pair comprising longitudinally spaced front mudguards 34 and rear mudguards 36. The body is provided with at least one marking strip 26 carried by one of its vertical sides 14 and located vertically above the longitudinal space between the front and rear mudguards of the pair of mudguards on the side of said vertical side, and with at least one gripping means 40 fixed vertically under the body below said marking strip. The vehicle further comprises an outer skirt 34 extending continuously longitudinally between the front and rear mudguards, a portion 34c of the outer skirt located vertically below said gripping means 40 being set back inwards relative to the rest of the skirt.