Rear Impact Guard Assembly with Stiffening Flanges
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rear impact guard assemblies for trailers lack sufficient structural rigidity and energy absorption capabilities to effectively manage rear impacts, which can lead to deformation and failure under high-energy collisions.
Innovation Solution
A rear impact guard assembly comprising an elongated guard member spanning the width of the trailer, supported by vertically oriented members and struts with stiffening flanges, which transfers impact energy to the trailer's frame and suspension system, distributing the force across multiple I-beams to maintain structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a traditional rear impact guard assembly is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the structural rigidity and energy absorption capability are insufficient under high-energy collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The rear impact guard assembly is divided into multiple components: a central impact guard member, left and right support members, left and right struts, and multiple I-beams. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while distributing impact forces across multiple elements, thereby increasing overall structural rigidity without requiring a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly combines different structural elements (guard member, support members, struts, and I-beams) made from appropriate materials to create a composite structure. This composite approach enables the assembly to achieve higher strength and energy absorption capabilities than any single component could provide alone, while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized components.
2Strength
If a traditional rear impact guard assembly is used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the energy absorption capability is insufficient to prevent deformation under high-energy impacts
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the impact guard into multiple discrete components (guard member, support members, struts, I-beams), each component can be manufactured independently using standard fabrication processes. This segmentation allows for optimized manufacturing of each part while the assembled structure achieves superior energy absorption capability that would be difficult and expensive to achieve with a single monolithic component.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly extends the energy absorption mechanism across multiple spatial dimensions by distributing impact forces through the guard member, support members, and struts in a three-dimensional configuration. This multi-dimensional force distribution enhances energy absorption capability while allowing each component to remain relatively simple in shape and easy to manufacture.
3Area of stationary object
If the guard member spans the full width of the trailer, then the coverage and protection area are maximized, but the weight and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guard assembly is segmented into a central impact guard member and lateral support members positioned at specific locations. This segmentation provides full width coverage and protection area while using material only where structurally necessary, rather than requiring a continuous solid structure across the entire width, thereby reducing overall weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The support members and struts are positioned at specific critical locations where structural reinforcement is most needed for optimal energy absorption. This local quality approach ensures comprehensive protection coverage while minimizing material usage and weight by concentrating structural elements only where required for effective impact resistance.
Data Source
AI summary
A semi-trailer has a rear impact guard including an elongated horizontal member that attaches to a trailer by a pair of vertical guards. The horizontal member may have a top surface, a bottom surface, and a leading edge from which a surface of the guard member extends rearward to the top or bottom surface. The rear impact guard may include a pair of gussets that extend from the vertical guards. Each gusset may include a main generally planar portion, a first stiffening flange perpendicular to the main portion, and a second stiffening flange perpendicular to the first stiffening flange.