Modular Commercial Vehicle Chassis Head Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing chassis structures for commercial vehicles, such as semi-trailers and trucks, are costly to design and manufacture due to their customization for specific uses, which increases production complexity and costs without significantly impairing functionality.
Innovation Solution
A modular chassis structure system where side parts and longitudinal members are detachably connected to central parts, allowing for interchangeable components to form different types of chassis structures, reducing production costs and enabling flexibility in configuring head frames for various vehicles without individual customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If chassis structures are customized for specific uses, then functionality and adaptability are improved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The head frame is divided into multiple detachable side parts that can be separately manufactured and then assembled to different central parts. This segmentation allows standardized components to be produced in bulk (reducing manufacturing complexity) while still enabling customized configurations for different vehicle types (maintaining adaptability).
Solution Approach 2:
The side parts are designed as universal components that can be attached to various central parts to create different head frame configurations. A single set of side parts can serve multiple functions across different vehicle types, eliminating the need to manufacture entirely different head frames for each application.
2Adaptability or versatility
If chassis structures are customized for specific uses, then functionality is improved, but production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the head frame into standardized side parts and central parts, each component can be manufactured independently using optimized processes. This allows for economies of scale in production and reduces tooling costs compared to manufacturing complete custom head frames for each vehicle type.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal side parts can be produced in large quantities as standardized components, significantly reducing per-unit production costs. These same components can then be configured for different vehicle applications, maintaining adaptability while achieving cost efficiency through volume production.
3Adaptability or versatility
If detachable connection is used for side parts and longitudinal members, then manufacturing flexibility and adaptability are improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable connection design segments the head frame into independently manufacturable components that can be assembled in different configurations. While this requires multiple connection points, the standardized nature of these connections simplifies the assembly process compared to manufacturing entirely custom integrated structures.
Data Source
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Figure 2B
AI summary
Described and illustrated is a chassis structure (8,28) of a commercial vehicle (N), in particular a semi-trailer, trailer or truck, with a loading floor (2) for placing cargo to be transported, with two longitudinal beams (9) for supporting the loading floor (2) and with a head frame (11) associated with the rear end of the longitudinal beams (9), wherein the head frame (11) has a central section (12) extending at least partially behind and transversely to the longitudinal beams (9) and two side sections (13,29) arranged at least partially on the outer sides of the opposing longitudinal beams (9) and each connected to an end section (14) of the central section (12).In order to reduce the design and manufacturing effort without significantly impairing the functionality of the chassis structure, it is provided that the side parts (13,29) are each detachably connected to an end section (14) of the middle part (12), in particular by screws.