Modular Utility Body Subbase for Lightweight Rigid Truck Compartments

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional utility truck bodies have a large footprint and weight, leading to increased shipping costs and reduced efficiency due to their single-piece construction and heavy materials, which also result in low rigidity and potential damage during use.

Innovation Solution

A modular subbase system with a longitudinal supporting structure, removable modular body compartments, and a boom arm pedestal, designed to be lightweight and structurally rigid, allowing for modular deployment and shipping, and featuring arcuate trailing edges for even load distribution and integrated reinforcing struts for stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If traditional single-piece construction is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but weight and shipping costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of utility bodyVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The utility body is divided into separate modular components including storage compartments and a subbase that can be assembled together. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for weight reduction while maintaining overall structural integrity through the assembly configuration and connection mechanisms between modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If traditional single-piece construction is used, then structural rigidity is maintained, but shipping efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshipping efficiencyVSAvoidstructural rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The utility body is divided into separate modular components including storage compartments and a subbase that can be assembled together. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for weight reduction while maintaining overall structural integrity through the assembly configuration and connection mechanisms between modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If springs or malleable suspension materials are used, then ease of mounting is improved, but body rigidity decreases causing torsion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of mountingVSAvoidbody rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The utility body is divided into separate modular components including storage compartments and a subbase that can be assembled together. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for weight reduction while maintaining overall structural integrity through the assembly configuration and connection mechanisms between modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12049739B1Modular body compartment

Publication Date: 2024.07.30 ALTEC INDS

AI summary

A modular subbase may comprise an upper surface, a longitudinal supporting structure coupled to the upper surface, one or more outrigger boxes coupled to the longitudinal supporting structure and the upper surface. The longitudinal supporting structure may comprise a wide sheet of metal comprising two upwardly-facing arms and a medial section adapted to be lightweight and to provide structural support to the upper surface. The longitudinal supporting structure and upper surface may comprise struts configured to prevent buckling of the medial section and the upper surface The modular subbase may be configured to couple to one or more modular bodies. The modular bodies may couple directly to the upper surface. A boom-arm pedestal for operating a boom-arm may be integrated into the upper surface and may be structurally supported by the modular subbase.