Fiber Reinforced Polymer Cargo Bed Structure for Corrosion Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cargo bed structures in trucks and trailers made of steel or wood are prone to corrosion and environmental damage, requiring frequent and costly maintenance, and lack the desired combination of lightweight strength and durability.
Innovation Solution
The use of fiber reinforced polymer components in the cargo bed structure, including interlocking decking planks, pivotally mounted sidewalls and tailboards, and a bulkhead assembly, which reduces weight and enhances durability while maintaining loading performance without the need for frequent surface treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If steel or wood is used for cargo bed structures, then structural strength and load-bearing capacity are achieved, but weight increases and susceptibility to corrosion and environmental damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by using fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) components instead of conventional steel or wood. The FRP cargo bed structure combines polymer matrix with reinforcing fibers to achieve high strength-to-weight ratio while providing inherent resistance to corrosion and environmental damage, eliminating the need for protective coatings and frequent maintenance
2Strength
If steel or wood is used for cargo bed structures, then load-bearing capability is maintained, but frequency of maintenance increases due to corrosion and rot
Solution Approach 1:
The FRP composite material provides both the required load-bearing capability and extended service life. The polymer matrix protects the reinforcing fibers from environmental degradation, while the fiber reinforcement provides structural strength. This combination eliminates rot and corrosion issues associated with wood and steel, significantly extending the cargo bed's usable life without requiring frequent maintenance or protective treatments
3Weight of moving object
If fiber reinforced polymer components are used, then weight is reduced and durability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The FRP cargo bed structure is divided into modular components including sidewalls, bulkhead, tailboard, and decking planks that can be manufactured separately and assembled on-site. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual parts while achieving the overall weight reduction and durability benefits of FRP construction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pultrusion technology to manufacture FRP components with optimized fiber orientation and distribution. By controlling the pultrusion process parameters, the manufacturer can achieve consistent mechanical properties and structural performance while maintaining manufacturing efficiency and reducing complexity
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a cargo bed structure comprising a sub-floor assembly comprising a plurality of cross members in spaced relation and a cargo bed defined by a longitudinally extending load-bearing deck overlying the sub-floor assembly and comprising a plurality of interlocking fiber reinforced polymer decking planks extending in a direction perpendicular to the cross members; an upwardly extending bulkhead assembly comprising at least one fiber reinforced polymer panel; a tailboard opposing the bulkhead and spaced apart therefrom; and two opposing upwardly-extending sidewalls, wherein each of the sidewalls and the tailboard comprise at least one fiber reinforced polymer panel pivotally mounted to the load-bearing deck.