Segmented Support Brackets for Commercial Vehicle Chassis Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support arrangements for commercial vehicle frames lack flexibility in assembly and disassembly, making repairs and maintenance cumbersome due to direct and fixed connections between components.

Innovation Solution

A support arrangement featuring a cross member with detachable support brackets that can be fixed independently on the cross member connection area, and a wrap-around design that provides additional stiffness without direct connection, allowing for flexible installation and easy disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If support brackets are directly fixed to longitudinal frame members, then structural stability is improved, but assembly flexibility and ease of repair deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support bracket is divided into two separate components: a first support bracket part that connects to the longitudinal frame member, and a second support bracket part that connects to the cross member. This segmentation allows the cross member to be assembled independently without the support brackets, improving assembly flexibility while maintaining structural stability through the coordinated connection of both parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If support brackets are directly fixed to longitudinal frame members, then structural stability is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of repair
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the support bracket into two independently connectable parts, the design enables selective removal and replacement of the cross member or support brackets during repair operations, significantly improving ease of repair while preserving structural stability through the remaining connected components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If cross member is connected directly to longitudinal frame members, then structural rigidity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural rigidityVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented support bracket design decouples the cross member from direct connection to longitudinal frame members, allowing the cross member to be adapted to different positions and configurations. The two-part support bracket maintains structural rigidity through its dual connection points while enabling greater adaptability in assembly variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If support brackets serve as both cross member connection and longitudinal frame connection, then device complexity is reduced, but assembly flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidassembly flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Although the support bracket is divided into two parts, each part maintains a simple connection interface with standardized fastening mechanisms. The first part connects to the longitudinal frame member and the second part to the cross member, keeping individual component complexity low while achieving high assembly flexibility through the segmented architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2246241B1Support assembly for the chassis of a commercial vehicle
Publication Date: 2015.04.08 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP2246241B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2246241B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2246241B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

A functional part, especially a multi-position connecting rod, links to support brackets (6) allocated to end areas of cross-members. When fitted, one of the support brackets fastens on a cross-member (3) and/or one of the support brackets wraps around an allocated cross-member area area-by-area with a wrap-around area (8) on the side of a bracket.