Lateral Body-to-Chassis Clamping for Safer Freight Vehicle Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accessing and securing screws for assembling the body to the chassis of road freight vehicles, particularly in electric vehicles where batteries and power cables pose electrical hazards, is difficult and requires stringent safety measures.
Innovation Solution
A clamping system with vertically fixed bases on the floor, featuring movable locking means and actuation mechanisms that allow assembly from a safe distance, avoiding electrical risks, and includes designs for both rotational and translational movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If vertical screws are used to assemble the body to the chassis, then the connection strength is sufficient, but the accessibility for operators becomes difficult and electrical hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional vertical screw arrangement by implementing lateral clamping systems that apply force horizontally. The clamping systems with lateral actuation means allow operators to access and operate the assembly mechanism from the side, completely reversing the access direction from vertical (difficult) to lateral (easy), while maintaining secure connection through the clamping action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a vertical assembly approach (single dimension access) to a lateral assembly approach (different dimension access). By positioning the actuation means laterally and offset vertically downwards, the system creates a new access dimension that eliminates the need for operators to reach vertically into constrained spaces, thereby improving accessibility without compromising connection strength.
2Productivity
If operators access the screws directly, then assembly can be performed, but electrical hazards from batteries and power cables increase safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the actuation function from the immediate vicinity of electrical components. By positioning the actuation means laterally and offset vertically downwards from the floor, the system separates the operator's interaction point from the electrical hazard zone, allowing assembly operations to be performed from a safe distance without requiring operators to enter areas with exposed batteries and power cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the operator and the chassis connection. The lateral actuation means serves as a mediator that transmits the assembly force and motion from a safe distance to the locking point, eliminating the need for direct operator contact with electrical components while maintaining full assembly capability.
3Reliability
If stringent safety measures are implemented for electrical hazards, then operator safety improves, but assembly complexity and training requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-protecting design where the clamping system's lateral offset actuation automatically provides safety without requiring additional protective measures. The geometry of the system itself creates the safety barrier by positioning the actuation point away from electrical hazards, eliminating the need for complex safety protocols, specialized training, or additional protective equipment.
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 and safe assembly of the body to the chassis by allowing lateral access to the clamping systems, reducing the need for trained personnel and minimizing electrical hazards.
Implementation Method 1
the actuation means is mounted movably on the base in translation and rotation along said axis of extension
Implementation Method 2
the locking means of each clamping system is mounted movable for rotation on the base around a geometric axis extending longitudinally
Implementation Method 3
the actuation means of each clamping system cooperates with the base by screwing. In this case, the actuation means may include a screw
Data Source
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AI summary
The body of a road freight vehicle comprises two vertical sides, a roof and a floor 20 assembled together and partially delimiting an interior loading space, and a plurality of clamping systems 40 fixed to the floor 20 for securing the body to a chassis. Each clamping system 40 is provided with a base 42 fixed to the floor 20 of the body, a locking means 44 movably mounted on the base between at least one inactive position and an active locking position of the body on the chassis and provided with a contact surface with said chassis, and an actuating means 46 extending transversely, in contact with the locking means 44 and movably mounted on the base to allow movement from the inactive position to the active locking position of said locking means, and vice versa.