Rib-less Hoist Structure Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hoist structures for haul trucks experience high loads and stresses, particularly when dumping material on uneven ground, and the addition of transverse ribs to distribute these loads makes the body heavier and requires extensive manufacturing efforts.
Innovation Solution
A rib-less hoist structure with elongate hoist plates and external gussets that interface with longitudinal support structures, distributing loads and stresses without transverse support structures between the hoist structures and longitudinal rails, using a configuration of hoist plates and gussets that are rotatably coupled to the hoist member and extend between the longitudinal rails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If transverse ribs are added to distribute loads, then load distribution improves, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the transverse ribs from the hoist structure, extracting the problematic component that caused increased weight. Instead of adding transverse support elements, the design relies on the longitudinal rails and hoist plates to bear and distribute loads, thereby eliminating unnecessary weight while maintaining load distribution through the remaining structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the load distribution mechanism from a transverse dimension (using transverse ribs across the width) to a longitudinal dimension (using longitudinal rails and hoist plates along the length). This dimensional change allows loads to be distributed effectively without requiring transverse structural elements, thus avoiding the weight penalty associated with traditional ribbed designs.
2Stress or pressure
If transverse ribs are added to distribute loads, then load distribution improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the transverse ribs entirely, the patent eliminates the complex manufacturing processes associated with fabricating and welding these structural elements. The simplified design using only longitudinal rails and hoist plates reduces the number of components and assembly steps, thereby decreasing manufacturing complexity while still achieving adequate load distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the hoist structure into discrete, modular components (hoist plates, longitudinal rails, external gussets) that can be manufactured independently and assembled more easily than a monolithic ribbed structure. This segmentation allows for simpler fabrication of individual parts and more flexible assembly procedures, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
3Strength
If transverse ribs are added to distribute loads, then structural strength improves, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the transverse ribs that were providing structural strength and replaces them with an optimized configuration of longitudinal rails, hoist plates, and external gussets. This reconfiguration maintains or enhances structural strength through proper load paths and structural geometry while eliminating the excess weight associated with traditional ribbed designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structural system combining different structural elements (hoist plates, longitudinal rails, external gussets) that work together to provide enhanced strength. This composite approach allows for optimized material usage and structural efficiency, achieving high strength-to-weight ratio without relying on heavy transverse ribbing.
Data Source
AI summary
A hoist structure for a body of a truck can be comprised of a hoist plate arrangement extending in a first direction and configured to be rotatably coupled to a hoist member of the truck; and a plurality of external gussets spaced from each other in the first direction and extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each of the external gussets can interface with the hoist plate arrangement, and a portion of each of the external gussets can extend in the second direction from a first side of the hoist structure arrangement.