Modular Utility Vehicle Floor Using Segmented Longitudinal Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial vehicle floors require a balance between high load-bearing capacity, minimized dead weight, and cost-efficient production to maximize payloads and transport capacity, while existing methods are complex and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
The floor is designed with prefabricated longitudinal segments, each comprising a cover layer segment and cross member sections, which are assembled to form the supporting structure, allowing for simplified and cost-effective production with improved load distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the floor is manufactured as a separate assembly with a supporting structure consisting of longitudinal members and cross members, then the load-bearing capacity is sufficient, but the production time is extended and the complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure is divided into longitudinal segments that can be manufactured separately and assembled later. Each longitudinal segment contains a portion of the cross members, allowing parallel production of multiple segments and reducing overall production time while maintaining the complete load-bearing structure when assembled
Solution Approach 2:
The longitudinal segments are pre-assembled with their respective cross member sections before final floor assembly. This preliminary preparation allows for more efficient final assembly and reduces the complexity of handling the entire floor structure at once
2Strength
If the floor is manufactured as a separate assembly with multiple cross member sections, then the load distribution is improved, but the number of components and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cross members are divided into sections that are distributed among different longitudinal segments. This segmentation maintains the load-distributing function of complete cross members while allowing the structure to be built from smaller, more manageable components
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple cross member sections from different longitudinal segments work together to form complete cross members when the floor is assembled. This merging of components achieves the same load-distributing effect as traditional complete cross members but with greater production flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a floor for a utility vehicle (Z), comprising a cover layer (D) having a loading surface (F) and comprising a support structure, which is formed by at least one longitudinal member (13, 14) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) of the floor (1) and cross members (Q), which are oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal member and distributed along the longitudinal member (13, 14) and composed of cross member segments (7, 8, 9) supported on the longitudinal member (13, 14). According to the invention, in order to produce such a floor cost efficiently and with high utility value, the floor (1) is formed by at least two longitudinal segments (2, 3, 4), of which one longitudinal segment (2) is associated with the one longitudinal side (L1) of the floor (1) and one longitudinal segment (3) is associated with the other longitudinal side (12) of the floor (1). Each longitudinal segment (2, 3, 4) has a cover layer segment (10, 11, 12), which is formed from a sheet material, and cross member segments (7, 8, 9), which bear the cover layer segment (10, 11, 12) and are arranged at a distance in the longitudinal direction (L) and rigidly connected to the cover layer segment (10, 11, 12). The cover layer (D) is composed of the cover layer segments (10, 11, 12).