Draw Beam End Flange Segmentation for Vertical Offset Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing draw beams for heavy towing vehicles face challenges in adaptability, as vertical fastening lugs provide stability but restrict design options and make it difficult to fit various vertical offset positions relative to the longitudinal main beams.

Innovation Solution

A draw beam design featuring first and second parallel walls with a U-beam web, where end flanges are perpendicular and have fastening holes in specific planes, allowing for adjustable mounting positions and enhanced stability without overlapping, enabling better alignment with longitudinal main beams and improved stress reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If vertical fastening lugs are provided on the draw beam, then the web stability is improved and movement is reduced, but the adaptability to fit various vertical offset positions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweb stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to vertical offset positions
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The draw beam is segmented into three distinct end flange components: a first wall end flange, a second wall end flange, and a web end flange. Each flange can be independently positioned and fastened to the longitudinal main beams at different vertical locations. This segmentation allows the web to be stabilized by the web end flange while the wall end flanges provide additional mounting position options, thus resolving the contradiction between web stability and adaptability to various vertical offset positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If vertical fastening lugs are provided on the draw beam, then the stress in the draw beam is reduced, but the design options are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestress reductionVSAvoiddesign options
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The draw beam is segmented into three distinct end flange components: a first wall end flange, a second wall end flange, and a web end flange. Each flange can be independently positioned and fastened to the longitudinal main beams at different vertical locations. This segmentation allows the web to be stabilized by the web end flange while the wall end flanges provide additional mounting position options, thus resolving the contradiction between web stability and adaptability to various vertical offset positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the draw beam is designed with fixed mounting positions, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the ease of operation for various mounting positions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidease of mounting at various positions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The draw beam is segmented into three distinct end flange components: a first wall end flange, a second wall end flange, and a web end flange. Each flange can be independently positioned and fastened to the longitudinal main beams at different vertical locations. This segmentation allows the web to be stabilized by the web end flange while the wall end flanges provide additional mounting position options, thus resolving the contradiction between web stability and adaptability to various vertical offset positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The draw beam design incorporates multiple end flanges that serve multiple functions: the web end flange provides web stabilization, while the first and second wall end flanges provide additional mounting position options. This multi-functionality allows a single draw beam design to accommodate various vertical offset positions and mounting configurations, improving ease of operation without significantly complicating manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2404809B1Draw beam
Publication Date: 2013.05.01 VBG GROUP AB (PUBL)
  • EP2404809B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2404809B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2404809B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A draw beam (1) comprising a first (2) and a second (3) substantially parallel walls, and a web (4) extending between the walls so as to form a U-beam, which U-beam extends between a first (5) and a second (6) ends, wherein said first wall (2), at each of said first (5) and second (6) U-beam ends, is provided with an end flange (7) which is substantially perpendicular to said first wall (2) and is provided with fastening holes (8) arranged in a first fastening plane (9) substantially parallel with said first wall (2), wherein said second wall (3), at each of said first (5) and second (6) U-beam ends, is provided with an end flange (10) which is substantially perpendicular to said second wall (3) and is provided with fastening holes (11) arranged in a second fastening plane (12) substantially parallel with said second wall (3), wherein said web (4), at each of said first (5) and second (6) U-beam ends, is provided with an end flange (13) which is substantially perpendicular to said web (4) and is provided with fastening holes (14) arranged in a third fastening plane (15) substantially parallel with said web (4), wherein each first wall end flange (7) is arranged in such a way that one of its fastening holes (8) is situated in said third fastening plane (15), and each web end flange (13) is arranged in such a way that one of its fastening holes (14) is situated in said second fastening plane (12).