Composite Truck Floor Mounting Bracket for Chassis Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Coupling composite materials to a cargo vehicle chassis is challenging due to the heaviness and cumbersome installation of existing mounting apparatuses, which leads to heat loss and increased weight in refrigerated cargo bodies.

Innovation Solution

A mounting apparatus comprising a support beam coupler adhesively bonded to a longitudinal composite support beam, with connectors and a chassis rail bracket, allowing for secure and lightweight coupling of the chassis rail to the composite support beam, utilizing components like U-shaped and L-shaped brackets and spacers for efficient alignment and bonding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If present mounting apparatuses are used to couple composite materials to the chassis, then the cargo body can be attached to the vehicle, but the mounting apparatus is relatively heavy and cumbersome to install

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling reliabilityVSAvoidmounting apparatus weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting apparatus is divided into multiple components: a support beam coupler that adhesively bonds to the composite support beam, connectors with plurality of legs, and a chassis rail bracket. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while reducing overall weight compared to a single heavy mounting structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameters and structural parameters of the mounting apparatus to reduce weight. The support beam coupler uses adhesive bonding instead of heavy mechanical fasteners, and the connectors are designed with thin-walled structures that provide sufficient strength while minimizing weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If metal components are used within the floor, roof, sidewalls, and nose of the cargo body, then structural strength is improved, but heat loss increases and overall weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidheat loss

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses composite materials for the cargo body floor, roof, sidewalls, and nose instead of traditional metal components. The composite support beam is made of fiber-reinforced plastic or similar composite material that provides sufficient structural strength while being lighter and thermally insulating compared to metal, thereby reducing heat loss in refrigerated cargo bodies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces traditional mechanical fastening systems with adhesive bonding. The support beam coupler adhesively bonds to the composite support beam, eliminating the need for heavy metal fasteners and mechanical connection hardware, thus reducing weight while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If present mounting apparatuses are used to couple composite materials to the chassis, then the cargo body can be attached to the vehicle, but the installation process becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support beam coupler is designed to be pre-assembled with the composite support beam using adhesive bonding before final installation on the vehicle. This preliminary action simplifies the on-site installation process, as the coupler is already prepared and ready to be attached to the chassis rail bracket, reducing installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The support beam coupler acts as an intermediary component between the composite support beam and the chassis rail bracket. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies the coupling process, allowing the composite beam to be attached to the metal chassis through a simple adhesive bonding operation followed by straightforward mechanical connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution provides a lightweight, easy-to-install mounting system that reduces heat loss and overall weight, ensuring secure attachment of the cargo body to the chassis while maintaining thermal efficiency and structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a support beam coupler adhesively bonded to the longitudinal composite support beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS10479405B2Mounting bracket for a composite truck body floor

Publication Date: 2019.11.19 WABASH NATIONAL CORP

AI summary

A mounting bracket is disclosed for coupling a composite floor of a cargo vehicle to a chassis of the cargo vehicle.