Freight Vehicle Compartment Closure with External Guide Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure systems for goods transport vehicles, such as sliding curtains with rails, compromise access height and width, introduce dirt, and face difficulties in achieving tight closure and maneuverability.
Innovation Solution
A closure device featuring a closing curtain with guide rails and transfer means, allowing the curtain to tilt and move along interconnected arcs, with a drive mechanism and tilting arms for efficient operation, ensuring a tight seal and easy manual operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sliding curtain closing systems with rails inside the compartment are used, then the access can be closed, but the height and width of access are considerably reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rails are positioned outside the compartment rather than inside, changing the spatial dimension of the closure system. The rails extend along the outer faces of the longitudinal sides and above the roof, allowing the curtain to slide externally while maintaining full access dimensions when open.
2Reliability
If sliding curtain closing systems with panels sliding under the roof are used, then the access can be closed, but dirt is introduced inside the compartment
Solution Approach 1:
The guide rails and curtain sliding mechanism are extracted from the interior space and positioned externally along the outer faces of the compartment sides and above the roof. This separation removes the source of dirt contamination from the compartment interior while preserving the closure function.
3Ease of operation
If panels are connected by pinheads extending backwards to allow movement from vertical to horizontal position, then the curtain can open and close, but extra thickness in width is generated relative to the outer faces of the sides
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting portions between vertical and horizontal rail portions are formed as arcs of circles with radius R/2, where R is the panel width. This curved geometry allows the panels to transition smoothly from vertical to horizontal positions while minimizing the protruding thickness, as the arc radius is specifically chosen to be half the panel width.
4Length of moving object
If doors with leaves articulated on the rear ends of longitudinal sides are used, then the entire width and height of access can be released, but direct manual intervention is required for opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The closing system incorporates an electric motor drive mechanism that automatically moves the curtain between open and closed positions without requiring manual intervention. The motor is controlled by a command from the exterior of the compartment, enabling automated operation while maintaining full access dimensions.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
The device has guide rails (19) comprising vertical portions placed adjacent to vertical end parts of longitudinal sides (6) of a compartment and horizontal portions (21) extending above a roof (8) of the compartment, so that closure shutter extends partially above the roof in raised position. The roof is shortened to locate a transversal rear end edge (8a) on one of the sides and remotely from the parts. Upper end or head panel (27b) is tilted toward other transverse panels in closing position, and an upper edge of the head panel is located in an end edge zone. An independent claim is also included for a transport vehicle e.g. carrier, lorry, semitrailer or trailer, for transporting goods.