Commercial Vehicle Frame Crossbeam Height Offset

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing commercial vehicle frames lack efficient space utilization, leading to a desire for increased interior space and improved force flow management.

Innovation Solution

A supporting structure with a crossbeam positioned lower than the frame structure, incorporating a support device that stiffens the frame and reduces erratic force flow by connecting the cross member, frame structure, and longitudinal beam, allowing for a height offset and improved force distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the cross member is positioned at the same level as the frame structure, then the structural connection is simplified, but the available interior space of the vehicle is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailable interior spaceVSAvoidstructural connection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cross member is positioned at a lower level than the frame structure, creating a vertical height offset. This dimensional change in the vertical direction enables increased interior space while maintaining structural integrity through the support device connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the cross member is positioned lower than the frame structure, then the available interior space is increased, but the force flow becomes erratic and structural stiffness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailable interior spaceVSAvoidstructural stiffness
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A support device is introduced as an intermediary component between the cross member and the frame structure. This support device includes fastening surfaces that connect to both elements, acting as a mediator to maintain structural stiffness and smooth force flow while allowing the height offset for increased interior space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If the cross member is positioned lower than the frame structure, then the available interior space is increased, but the force flow distribution becomes erratic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailable interior spaceVSAvoidforce flow distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The support device serves as an intermediary that mediates force flow between the cross member and frame structure. Its fastening surfaces are designed to distribute forces evenly, preventing erratic force flow while maintaining the beneficial height offset for interior space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Stability of the object's composition

If a support device is added to stiffen the frame and manage force flow, then structural stiffness and force flow management are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stiffnessVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a stiffening element for the frame structure and as a force flow management component. By combining these functions in a single device, the increase in complexity is minimized while achieving multiple beneficial effects

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

Data Source

PatentEP2671775B1Frame or guidance construction for a commercial vehicle
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP2671775B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2671775B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2671775B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The support construction has a support bracket (1), with which a cross beam (20) and a frame construction (23) are connected to allow a force flow including the support bracket, the cross beam and the frame construction. The cross beam is arranged deeper than the frame construction, which produces a height offset (HV). A support unit (50) is arranged between the cross beam and the frame construction or in sections in the height offset to reinforce the support bracket, or to reduce or to smooth an erratic force flow, where a smoother force flow direction change is realized.