Floor Panel Line Duct for Commercial Vehicle Cable Routing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing commercial vehicle designs face challenges in laying and protecting lines, such as electrical and signal cables, within the floor panel, particularly in refrigerated transport applications, where damage and insulation are concerns.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a line duct system that allows easy installation and protection of lines within the foamed plastic core layer, with features like openings for connection and protection at critical points, and optional use of connection boxes for large plug ends, enabling flexible routing and minimizing damage risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If lines are routed through the core layer of the floor panel, then thermal insulation is improved, but the risk of line damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
A line duct is introduced as an intermediary element between the lines and the core layer. The duct is embedded in the core layer and provides a protected pathway for the lines, isolating them from potential damage sources while maintaining the thermal insulation properties of the foamed plastic core.
2Ease of manufacture
If lines are installed during floor panel manufacturing, then installation cost is reduced, but future modification capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The line duct system is designed to be dynamically modifiable. Covers can be removed and reinstalled, and lines can be added, removed, or replaced within the duct after the floor panel has been manufactured, allowing the system to adapt to changing requirements while maintaining the initial manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The line duct is divided into sections with removable covers, allowing individual access points along the duct. This segmentation enables modifications at specific locations without requiring access to the entire duct system, facilitating future maintenance and changes.
3Loss of energy
If the line duct is sealed during manufacturing, then thermal insulation is maximized, but line installation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The line duct is prepared in advance with opening sections and covers during the floor panel manufacturing process. These preliminary preparations allow lines to be installed easily by simply removing covers, after which the covers can be reinstated to restore the thermal insulation properties.
4Volume of moving object
If multiple lines are routed together in one duct, then space utilization is improved, but line identification and maintenance difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the line duct can have different properties, such as varying cover configurations or internal structures, to accommodate different types of lines. This allows for local differentiation that aids in line identification and access while maintaining efficient space utilization within the duct.
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
Facilitates easy, cost-effective, and protected routing of lines, enhancing thermal insulation and reducing the risk of damage, while allowing for future modifications or additions without compromising the structural integrity of the floor panel.
Implementation Method 1
the core layer provided between the loading floor and the cover layer and at least essentially made of a foamed plastic
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention relates to a commercial vehicle (1), in particular a truck, trailer or semi-trailer, with a floor panel (15) comprising a loading floor (10), a top layer (19) and a core layer (34) provided between the loading floor (10) and the top layer (19), the core layer being formed at least substantially from a foamed plastic, and with at least one conduit (12-14) extending at least substantially from the front face of the floor panel (15) towards the rear of the commercial vehicle (1). To enable the conduits to be laid simply, cost-effectively and protected from potential damage, it is provided that the at least one conduit (12-14) is received at least partially in a conduit channel (16) arranged in the core layer (34) and that the conduit channel (16) extends at least substantially from the front face of the floor panel (15) towards the rear of the floor panel (15).