Composite Cargo Body Thermal Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cargo vehicles with metal components in their bodies experience heat loss, leading to inefficiencies in temperature control and increased fuel consumption, especially when transporting temperature-sensitive cargo.

Innovation Solution

A composite cargo body made from fiber-reinforced plastic materials, assembled using adhesive bonding techniques, which eliminates internal metal components, reduces heat loss, and improves thermal efficiency while simplifying construction and reducing weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metal components are used in the cargo body, then structural strength is improved, but heat loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidheat loss

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials (fiberglass reinforced plastic) to replace metal components in the cargo body. The composite floor, roof, sidewalls, and nose are all made from fiberglass reinforced plastic materials that provide structural strength while having low thermal conductivity to minimize heat loss during temperature-sensitive cargo transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If metal components are used in the cargo body, then structural integrity is improved, but fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The composite cargo body made from fiberglass reinforced plastic provides the necessary structural integrity while being lighter than metal alternatives. This weight reduction directly decreases the energy required for vehicle operation, thereby reducing fuel consumption during cargo transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Duration of action of stationary object

If metal components are used in the cargo body, then durability is improved, but corrosion resistance worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidcorrosion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fiberglass reinforced plastic composite materials used throughout the cargo body (floor, roof, sidewalls, nose) are inherently resistant to corrosion. Unlike metal components that can rust or deteriorate from exposure to moisture and chemicals, the composite materials maintain their structural properties and durability without suffering from corrosion issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Loss of energy

If composite materials are used throughout the cargo body, then thermal efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The composite cargo body is divided into separate modular components including the floor, roof, sidewalls, and nose, each made from fiberglass reinforced plastic. These segmented components can be manufactured independently and then assembled together using adhesive bonding, which simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining the thermal efficiency benefits of composite materials throughout the entire cargo body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

The composite cargo body enhances thermal efficiency, reduces fuel consumption, minimizes corrosion, and simplifies manufacturing, making it suitable for temperature-sensitive cargo transport while maintaining structural integrity and hygiene standards.

Implementation Method 1

The cargo body includes a composite floor having an upper surface, a lower surface, a right longitudinal support beam that extends from the lower surface, wherein the right longitudinal support beam is made from a composite material, and a left longitudinal support beam that extends from the lower surface, wherein the left longitudinal support beam is made from a composite material. The cargo body also includes a composite roof, a composite right sidewall coupled to the floor and the roof, a composite left sidewall coupled to the floor and the roof, and a composite nose coupled to the floor, the roof, the right sidewall, and the left sidewall. In certain embodiments, the right sidewall is adhesively bonded to the floor and the roof, the left sidewall is adhesively bonded to the floor and the roof, and the nose is adhesively bonded to the floor, the roof, the right sidewall, and the left sidewall.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The use of metal components within the floor, roof, sidewalls, and/or nose of the cargo body may contribute to heat loss from the interior of the cargo body. A vehicle is disclosed having a composite cargo body assembled in a manner that may improve thermal efficiency, fuel efficiency, and costs of manufacturing. each of the floor, the roof, the right sidewall, the left sidewall, and the nose is made from a fiber-reinforced plastic material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11554708B2Composite refrigerated truck body and method of making the same

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 WABASH NATIONAL CORP

AI summary

A vehicle is disclosed having a composite cargo body assembled in a manner that may improve thermal efficiency, fuel efficiency, and costs of manufacturing.