Retrofitting Cargo Van Floor to Eliminate Wheel Well Protrusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cargo vans have reduced usable storage space due to wheel wells, which protrude into the cargo bay, limiting horizontal storage capacity and increasing the risk of cargo shifting during transport, especially in refrigerated applications where empty space is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
Modifying the cargo van by removing portions of the wheel wells and installing a flat, insulated floor surface that extends across the entire cargo bay, supported by wheel well inserts and enhanced suspension to maintain stability and prevent damage, while ensuring the refrigerated compartment is airtight and energy-efficient.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If wheel wells are present in the cargo bay, then the van can accommodate standard wheel clearance requirements, but the usable storage space is reduced due to protrusions into the cargo bay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the protruding wheel well structures from the cargo bay and extracts only the essential wheel clearance function, relocating it to the suspension system modification below the floor level. This eliminates the space-consuming protrusions while preserving wheel clearance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel clearance accommodation is moved from the horizontal dimension (protruding wheel wells into cargo bay) to the vertical dimension (modified suspension system below floor level). This dimensional shift preserves wheel clearance while maximizing horizontal storage space.
2Stability of the object's composition
If wheel wells protrude into the cargo bay, then wheel clearance is maintained, but cargo stability is compromised due to increased risk of shifting
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful protruding elements are completely removed from the cargo bay environment. By extracting the wheel well protrusions and relocating wheel clearance accommodation to the suspension system, the source of cargo instability is eliminated.
3Productivity
If the floor surface is non-planar due to wheel wells, then wheel clearance is achieved, but storage efficiency is reduced due to limited horizontal capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding wheel well structures that create non-planar floor surfaces are removed. The floor is replaced with a continuous planar surface that extends across the entire cargo bay, eliminating geometric disruptions to storage efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel clearance function is relocated from the floor plane dimension to the vertical suspension dimension, allowing the floor surface to be completely planar and maximizing horizontal storage capacity.
4Volume of moving object
If wheel wells are modified to increase storage space, then usable volume is increased, but the suspension system must be enhanced to maintain stability
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is modified in advance to accommodate the removed wheel wells. By pre-configuring the suspension with increased travel and appropriate damping characteristics, the system is prepared to handle the changed geometry and maintain vehicle stability before cargo transport begins.
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
Maximizes usable storage space in cargo vans by eliminating wheel well protrusions, reducing energy losses, and enhancing cargo stability and safety during transport, while maintaining the van's stability and preventing damage from wheel clearance issues.
Implementation Method 1
installing insulated planar floor surface configured to extend from a first side panel of the van to a second side panel of the van
Data Source
AI summary
A van includes modified a first side panel of the van. An exterior portion of the first side panel forms a first exterior side of the van. The van includes a second side panel of the van. An exterior portion of the second side panel forms a second exterior side of the van. The van also includes a planar floor surface configured to extend from the first side panel to the second side panel for an entire length of a cargo area. The cargo area is defined by the first side panel, the second side panel, and the planar floor surface of the van.