Height-Adjustable Stanchion with Selective Pivot Joint

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing height-adjustable stanchions for tarpaulin structures on commercial vehicles face challenges in maintaining longevity and structural integrity due to high loads and vibrations when the roof is raised, as existing solutions with joints or guides prone to play compromise both functionality and durability.

Innovation Solution

The stanchion design features a swivel joint that is selectively released or blocked based on the stanchion head's position, allowing for one-sided roof lifting without compromising structural integrity, achieved through a C-profile stanchion head receptacle and an adjusting rod for precise height adjustment, ensuring the stanchion head is securely positioned in both pushed-in and extended positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the stanchion head is made height-adjustable with a pivot joint to enable roof lifting, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to higher loads and vibrations during vehicle travel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroof lifting capabilityVSAvoidstanchion durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stanchion head is designed with a pivot joint that can be selectively released or blocked based on operational needs. During loading/unloading, the pivot joint is released to allow roof tilting. During vehicle travel, the pivot joint is blocked to prevent movement and withstand vibrations and loads, thus resolving the contradiction between operational flexibility and structural reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The stanchion head's positional parameter is changed by extending it partially from the stanchion head receptacle. This partial extension creates the necessary clearance for the pivot joint to function during roof lifting, while still maintaining sufficient connection for stability during normal driving, thereby balancing ease of operation with reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the stanchion head is extended from the receptacle to release the pivot joint, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroof position adjustmentVSAvoidstanchion mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The height adjustment function and pivot joint release function are merged into a single action. By extending the stanchion head from the receptacle, both the height is adjusted and the pivot joint is simultaneously released. This eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for each function, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3275710B1Joint with slide
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 SCHMITZ CARGOBULL AG
  • EP3275710B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3275710B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3275710B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Described and illustrated is a stake (9), in particular a corner stake, for a tarpaulin superstructure (1) of a commercial vehicle (N), in particular a truck, trailer or semi-trailer, with a roof (3) that is height-adjustable on at least one side, comprising a stake head (12) for at least partially supporting a roof (3) and a stake head receptacle (14) for at least partially receiving the stake head (12) in a position inserted into the stake head receptacle (14) and in a position extended from the stake head receptacle (14), wherein the stake head (12) and the stake head receptacle (14) are connected by a pivot joint (20) for pivoting the stake head (12) relative to the stake head receptacle (14).In order to enable the roof of the tarpaulin superstructure to be easily lifted on one side from different driving positions and thus roof heights without significantly impairing the durability and design of the stake, it is provided that the stake head (12) in the extended position is extended from the stake head receptacle (14) in such a way that the at least partial pivoting of the stake head (12) about the pivot joint (20) from a starting position to a pivoted position is allowed, and that the stake head (12) in the retracted position is received in the stake head receptacle (14) in such a way that the pivoting of the stake head (12) from the starting position about the pivot joint (20) is at least substantially blocked.