Dump Body Side Rail Structure for Spill and Impact Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dump bodies and ejector bodies in machines suffer from material spillage and deformation due to material collecting on the top surfaces and being impacted by loading tools, leading to inefficiencies in material handling.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates top side rails with sloping upper surfaces and upwardly extending flanges made of hardened steel to direct material away from the body cavity and protect the surfaces from impact, using a body structure comprising a front wall, side walls, and a base that form a body cavity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the top surface of the side wall is made flat or inclined, then material can be contained in the body cavity, but material collects on the top surface and spills during transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial containmentVSAvoidmaterial spillage
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the top surface incline inward to contain material, the patent inverts the design by having the top surface incline outward. This outward inclination causes material to naturally slide off the top surface during transport, preventing accumulation and spillage while maintaining effective containment capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different surface characteristics to different parts of the side wall. The upper portion of the side wall has a reduced inclination angle (more horizontal) to prevent material from sliding off during transport, while the lower portion maintains a steeper inclination for effective containment. This local differentiation of surface properties optimizes both containment and spill prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If the top surface of the side wall is exposed, then the body structure remains simple, but the surface deforms due to impact from loading tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebody structureVSAvoidsurface resistance to impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The flange is positioned protruding from the top surface before any loading operation occurs, creating a protective barrier in advance. This preliminary protective structure intercepts and absorbs impacts from loading tools before they can reach and deform the top surface of the side wall, preventing damage before it happens.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The flange acts as an intermediary protective element between the loading tools and the top surface of the side wall. It absorbs the impact forces from loading operations, protecting the main body structure from direct damage while adding minimal complexity to the overall design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If material is directed away from the body cavity using the top side rail, then spillage is reduced, but the top side rail becomes susceptible to deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial spillageVSAvoidtop side rail durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a local protective zone at the top side rail by adding the flange structure. This localized reinforcement provides additional strength and deformation resistance specifically where the top side rail is most vulnerable to impact from loading tools, while maintaining the material-directing function of the sloped surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The combination of the flange structure with the top side rail creates a composite protective feature. The flange, being harder than the upper side surface, provides a durable, impact-resistant element that works in conjunction with the sloped surface to both direct material away and resist deformation from loading operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP4330078B1A body for a machine comprising a body cavity for receiving material
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 CATERPILLAR SARL
  • EP4330078B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4330078B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4330078B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a body (18) for a machine. The body comprises a front wall (35) at a front end of the body. First and second side walls (50, 51) extend from the front wall to a rear end (31) of the body. The first and second side walls each comprising a top side rail (45). A base (60) extends from the front wall to the rear end and between the first and second side walls. Thus the front wall, first and second side walls and base at least partially form a body cavity (61) for receiving material. Each top side rail comprises an upper side surface (54) and a flange extending (55) upwardly from the upper side surface adjacent to the body cavity. The upper side surface extends downwardly and outwardly away from the flange for directing material from the top side rail and away from the body cavity.