Refuse Body Tie-Down Assembly with Retained Bolt for Battery-Safe Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The removal of vehicle bodies from commercial vehicles, particularly those with mounted batteries, is cumbersome and risky due to space limitations and the potential for component misplacement or damage during the process.
Innovation Solution
A body tie-down assembly with a chassis mounting member, body mounting member, spring assembly, and retainer plate that allows for non-rigid coupling and secure attachment of the vehicle body to the chassis, minimizing loose components and facilitating easy detachment without damaging the vehicle or batteries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the body is removably coupled to the chassis using traditional fastening methods, then the body can be removed for service or replacement, but the removal process becomes cumbersome and difficult requiring multiple components and tools
Solution Approach 1:
The tie-down assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: the U-shaped clamp member for engagement, the spring assembly for applying force, and the bolt for securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while enabling easy assembly and disassembly of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The bolt is extracted from the clamp member during the removal process. By designing the system so that the bolt can be easily removed from the U-shaped clamp, the entire tie-down assembly can be quickly disassembled without requiring multiple tools or complex procedures, directly improving ease of operation.
2Reliability
If traditional fastening methods are used to secure the body to the chassis, then the body can be firmly attached, but components may be misplaced or improperly installed increasing the risk of damage or injury
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assembly automatically applies the necessary clamping force to secure the body to the chassis once the bolt is installed. The spring's inherent elasticity provides continuous pressure without requiring additional adjustment mechanisms or complex fastening procedures, ensuring reliable attachment while simplifying the operation for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring assembly is pre-loaded to provide cushioning force that maintains consistent contact between the body and chassis. This pre-compression ensures that the body remains securely attached during normal vehicle operation, preventing misplacement or improper installation while maintaining ease of removal when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If batteries are mounted to the chassis, then the vehicle has power source capability, but space limitations are created that exacerbate the difficulty of removing the vehicle body
Solution Approach 1:
The U-shaped clamp member engages the chassis frame in a three-dimensional configuration that utilizes vertical space rather than horizontal space. By positioning the clamp over the top of the chassis frame and securing it from above, the design accommodates batteries mounted on the chassis without interfering with the body removal process, maintaining adaptability while preserving ease of operation.
4Reliability
If multiple components and tools are used for body removal, then the body can be securely attached, but the removal process increases the risk of component misplacement or improper installation
Solution Approach 1:
The spring assembly and clamp member are merged into a single integrated unit that functions together to secure the body. This combination eliminates the need for separate adjustment mechanisms and reduces the number of discrete components that could be misplaced, maintaining reliable attachment while reducing removal time and complexity.
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
The assembly simplifies the removal process, reduces the risk of component loss, and ensures safe and efficient serviceability by using fewer tools and minimizing over-compression or under-compression of the spring assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The spring assembly includes a spring, a bolt, and a nut. The bolt extends through a spring cavity of the spring. Rotation of the nut compresses the spring assembly in order to achieve a desired spring pre-tension to suspend a vehicle body relative to a vehicle frame.
Data Source
AI summary
A refuse vehicle includes a chassis having a chassis frame member, a refuse collection body having a body frame member, and a battery mounted to the chassis frame member, and a body tie-down assembly. The body tie-down assembly includes a chassis mounting member, a body mounting member, a spring assembly, and a retainer plate. The body mounting member has brackets that define a cavity and retaining slots. The top member of the chassis mounting member may be received within the cavity defined by the brackets. The spring assembly includes a spring, a bolt, and a nut. The retainer plate includes a slot. The bolt further extends through a top member of the chassis mounting member and the slot of the retainer plate and receives the nut. The bolt is received within the retaining slots during removal of the bolt to prohibit the bolt from coming in contact with the battery.