Curved Cabin Crossbeam Structure for More Usable Driver Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
The driver's cab of commercial vehicles faces unique challenges such as maximizing usable space, ensuring safety in collisions and rollovers, accommodating controls and displays, and maintaining a low weight while adapting to different requirements and applications.
Innovation Solution
A cabin structure with vertically extending uprights and a transversely connected crossbeam unit featuring a convex front beam and concave integral beam, forming an elliptical support space with shared curvature, allowing for stable, resilient, and space-efficient design with modular user interface attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the crossbeam is designed with straight beams, then the structure is simpler to manufacture, but the cabin space is reduced and stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the beam structure by designing the front beam with a convex curve and the integral beam with a concave curve. This curved design allows the beams to span greater distances while maintaining structural integrity and creating additional cabin space, resolving the contradiction between volume and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a dimensional change by curving the beams in opposite directions (convex and concave), which adds a third dimension to the structural design. This allows the beams to achieve both structural stability and space optimization simultaneously.
2Volume of moving object
If the crossbeam is positioned close to the uprights, then the structure is more compact, but the usable cabin space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The curved beam design allows the crossbeam to be positioned farther from the uprights while maintaining structural stability. The convex and concave curves provide the necessary structural reinforcement over greater spans, enabling increased cabin space without compromising stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional user interfaces and controls are installed, then the functionality is enhanced, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal mounting structure with the curved beams that can accommodate various user interfaces and controls. The beam design itself serves multiple functions: structural support, space creation, and mounting surface, reducing the need for additional weight-intensive mounting structures.
4Volume of moving object
If the beam curvature radius is increased, then the cabin space is maximized, but the structural strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses opposite curvatures (convex and concave) that work together to maintain structural strength while maximizing cabin volume. The complementary curvature patterns create a balanced structural system where the convex and concave sections mutually reinforce each other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite structural design by combining the convex front beam with the concave integral beam, creating a composite structural system that achieves both high strength and maximum volume utilization through the synergistic effect of the opposite curvatures.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 4a
AI summary
The invention relates to a cabin substructure (1) for a driver cabin (10) of a motor vehicle (100), preferably a utility vehicle (120), comprising two vertical supports (2) extending in the vehicle vertical direction and a transverse support unit (3) which extends in the vehicle transverse direction and is connected to the vertical supports (2). The transverse support unit (3) is arranged at a distance to the upper and lower ends of the vertical supports (2). The transverse support unit (3) comprises a front support (13) which is curved in the forward direction of travel of the vehicle (i.e. the front support is convexly curved) and an integral support (23) which is curved opposite the forward direction of travel of the vehicle (i.e. the integral support is concavely curved) such that the front support (13) and the integral support (23) define a support area (33) between each other.