Retaining Bracket Stiffening Section for Trailer Payload

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing retaining brackets for commercial vehicle trailers are either too heavy, reducing payload, or lack the necessary rigidity and strength, which affects the secure fastening of chassis components.

Innovation Solution

A retaining bracket design featuring two side walls with a connecting section and a stiffening section, where the stiffening section extends along or inclined to the vertical axis, providing additional support and allowing the insert part to be pre-positioned, thus enhancing rigidity and allowing for a seamless welding process without the need for removal during welding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional retaining brackets are made with heavy material, then strength and rigidity are improved, but weight increases reducing payload capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestrengthVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining bracket is divided into two distinct parts: side walls and an insert part. The insert part is separately produced and then inserted into the side walls, allowing optimized material distribution where the insert provides stiffening function while the side walls provide structural support, achieving high strength with reduced overall weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket combines different material properties by using an insert part made from a material optimized for stiffening characteristics, inserted into side walls made from a different material. This composite structure allows each component to contribute its optimal properties, achieving high strength-to-weight ratio.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of moving object

If material usage is reduced to lower weight, then payload capacity is improved, but rigidity and strength deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveweightVSAvoidrigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The insert part is strategically positioned within the side walls at locations requiring maximum stiffening effect. This local reinforcement approach concentrates material where most needed for rigidity while minimizing material usage in areas where it is less critical, optimizing the overall strength-to-weight ratio.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The insert part is pre-positioned within the side walls during the assembly process, ensuring optimal placement for stiffening before the bracket is subjected to operational loads. This preliminary positioning guarantees that the reinforcement is effectively integrated into the structural geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If the insert part is integrated with side walls, then manufacturing is simplified, but pre-positioning capability and welding efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidwelding efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The insert part and side walls are produced as separate components, allowing the insert to be pre-positioned and prepared independently. This segmentation enables the insert to be optimally positioned within the side walls before welding, and allows the welding process to proceed without removing the insert, thereby improving welding efficiency and overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3458290B1Holding mount
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 SAF HOLLAND GMBH
  • EP3458290B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3458290B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a holding mount, in particular of or for a utility-vehicle trailer, comprising two side walls, which extend along a vertical axis (H) and which form an arrangement region for arranging the holding mount on a supporting element, wherein the holding mount comprises an insert part, which has a connecting segment and a stiffening segment, wherein the connecting segment forms part of the arrangement region, and wherein the stiffening segment extends between the side walls along the vertical axis for stiffening.