Load Securing Rail with Integrated Trough Support

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing design of load securing rails in commercial vehicle box bodies is complex and heavy, limiting design freedom and increasing costs, while also restricting the arrangement of load securing equipment due to the need for extensive tabs and deep recesses to accommodate foaming of the core layer.

Innovation Solution

Concentrating openings in a narrower band on the load securing rail, eliminating the need for tabs and allowing support sections to maintain panel integrity during foaming, enabling a tighter grid for securing loads without widening the trough, and incorporating grooves for additional functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tabs are provided at regular intervals between openings to support the inner cover layer during foaming, then the panel maintains structural integrity during manufacturing, but the design becomes complex and the degree of freedom in designing load securing rails is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrity during foamingVSAvoiddesign complexity of load securing rail
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the tabs from the load securing rail design, extracting the supporting function to the trough structure itself. The trough is designed with a bottom area that directly supports the inner cover layer during foaming, eliminating the need for additional tab elements and simplifying the overall design while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The trough structure is given multiple functions: it accommodates the load securing rail, provides support during foaming through its bottom area, and eliminates the need for separate tab elements. This multi-functional design reduces complexity while maintaining reliability.

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

2Reliability

If the load securing rail is designed with extensive tabs and deep recesses to accommodate foaming, then the panel maintains structural integrity, but the weight and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrity during foamingVSAvoidweight of load securing rail
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the supporting function from the load securing rail (removing tabs) and transfers it to the trough structure. This eliminates unnecessary material in the load securing rail while maintaining structural integrity during foaming, thereby reducing weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The design separates the supporting function from the load securing function. The trough structure handles support during foaming through its bottom area, while the load securing rail focuses solely on load securing with its engagement section and openings, optimizing both functions independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If tabs are provided between openings to support the inner cover layer, then foaming can proceed without deforming the panel, but the arrangement of load securing equipment is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel deformation prevention during foamingVSAvoidarrangement flexibility of load securing equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By removing the tabs from the load securing rail, the patent frees up space and design freedom. The trough's bottom area assumes the supporting role, allowing the load securing rail to have openings arranged optimally for load securing equipment without the constraint of tab locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The design separates the support function (handled by the trough bottom area) from the load securing function (handled by the engagement section with openings). This segmentation allows independent optimization of both functions, enabling flexible arrangement of load securing equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If the trough is widened to accommodate tabs and support sections, then the panel can be filled with foam without deforming the inner cover layer, but the receiving space for load securing means is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinner cover layer support during foamingVSAvoidreceiving space volume in trough
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the support function from the load securing rail and assigns it to the trough bottom area. This eliminates the need to widen the trough to accommodate tabs, as the bottom area itself provides the necessary support, thereby preserving the receiving space volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The design segments the support function (bottom area of trough) from the load securing function (engagement section). This allows the trough to maintain its original dimensions while still providing adequate support during foaming, preserving the receiving space for load securing means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design enhances load securing flexibility and accessibility, reduces weight and cost, and allows for more efficient force distribution while maintaining structural integrity and thermal insulation, enabling easier manufacturing and improved load securing without compromising the panel's shape or functionality.

Implementation Method 1

The panel is foamed with the core layer between the cover layers after the load securing rail has been connected to the inner cover layer. When the core layer is filled with foam, it presses against the inner cover layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFoaming: Foam

Data Source

PatentEP3248837B1Box body of a commercial vehicle with load securing rail
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 SCHMITZ CARGOBULL AG
  • EP3248837B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3248837B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3248837B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a box body (1) for a commercial vehicle (N), in particular a truck, trailer or semi-trailer, with at least one panel (7), wherein at least one load securing rail (10) is at least partially received in at least one recess (14) of the at least one panel (7) adjacent to the cargo space (8), wherein the recess (14) has longitudinally extending edge regions (15) and a floor region (16) between them, wherein the load securing rail (10) has an engagement section (19) extending longitudinally and providing longitudinally distributed openings (26) for the insertion of load securing devices, and wherein a receiving space (20) for the partial receipt of the load securing devices inserted through the openings (26) is provided between the engagement section (19) and the floor region (16) of the recess (14).In order to provide more degrees of freedom in the design of the load securing rail without significantly increasing the cost and weight of the load securing rail, it is provided that the load securing rail (10) has two support sections (18) extending in the longitudinal direction of the load securing rail (10), connected to each other via the engagement section (19) and supported on the bottom area (16) of the trough (14).