Commercial Vehicle Side Wall Plug-In Assembly for Lashing Mounts

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Solution Overview

Problem

The single-wall construction of commercial vehicle side walls makes it difficult to attach lashing devices for securing cargo and can lead to cargo striking pillar elements during loading and unloading, while existing double-wall constructions face challenges in simple and cost-effective assembly of side wall elements.

Innovation Solution

The side wall elements are connected to mounting means via a plug connection in a joining direction and secured against removal by a profile element extending longitudinally beyond the side wall, using positive, force, or material-locking connections to ensure stable attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If single-wall construction is used for side walls, then manufacturing cost and structural simplicity are improved, but the ability to attach lashing devices and prevent cargo damage is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidability to attach lashing devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The side wall is divided into modular components: a base structure (single wall) and detachable side wall elements that can be mounted at different positions. These elements include mounting means for lashing devices and can be configured based on cargo requirements, providing versatility while maintaining the simplicity of single-wall construction for the main structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The side wall elements are designed to be movable and adjustable rather than fixed. They can be mounted at different heights and positions along the side wall, and can be easily attached or removed based on loading requirements. This dynamic configuration allows the same basic single-wall structure to adapt to different cargo securing needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If single-wall construction is used for side walls, then structural simplicity is improved, but cargo protection from striking pillar elements is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidcargo damage from striking pillar elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protective functions previously integrated into fixed pillar elements are extracted and separated into detachable side wall elements. These elements can be positioned to protect cargo from striking the main structural pillars, while the pillars themselves remain simple structural supports. The protective elements can be removed when not needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Detachable side wall elements serve as intermediary components between the cargo and the main structural pillars. These elements absorb the impact when cargo is loaded or unloaded, preventing direct contact between cargo and the rigid pillar structures, while maintaining the overall simplicity of the single-wall construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If double-wall construction with core layer is used, then lashing device attachment is improved, but assembly complexity and manufacturing cost are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelashing device attachmentVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lashing device attachment functionality is segmented into separate, detachable side wall elements rather than being integrated into the wall construction itself. These elements include dedicated mounting means and can be attached to the single-wall structure only where and when needed for cargo securing, avoiding the complexity of universal double-wall construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detachable side wall elements serve multiple functions: they provide mounting points for lashing devices, protect cargo from striking pillars, and can be positioned at different heights and locations along the side wall. This multi-functionality in a single detachable component avoids the need for complex specialized structures for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If detachable side wall elements are added to single-wall construction, then adaptability for cargo securing is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecargo securing capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functions are merged into the detachable side wall elements: structural reinforcement, lashing device mounting, and cargo protection features are combined in a single integrated component that attaches to the existing single-wall structure. This avoids adding separate complex systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The side wall elements are designed with self-contained mounting means that attach directly to the existing single-wall structure without requiring additional complex hardware or modifications to the base structure. The elements are self-sufficient in providing both structural and cargo securing functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4434857B1Box body of a commercial vehicle and method for producing a box body
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 SCHMITZ CARGOBULL AG
  • EP4434857B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4434857B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4434857B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Described and illustrated is a box body (1) of a commercial vehicle (N), in particular a truck, trailer or semi-trailer, with at least one side wall (4) laterally delimiting a cargo space (8), wherein the side wall (4) comprises a side wall element (13) bordering at least partially on the cargo space (8), at least one mounting means (14) for mounting the side wall element (13) and at least one profile element (16,17) extending in the longitudinal direction of the box body (1) over the at least one side wall element (13) and on both sides beyond the at least one side wall element (13).To enable simple, cost-effective and quick assembly of side wall elements, it is provided that the at least one side wall element (13) is positively connected to the at least one assembly means (14) by at least one plug connection (18) in at least one joining direction (F) and that the side wall element (13) is secured against being pulled out of the assembly means (14) in the opposite direction (F) of the side wall element (13) by the profile element (16, 17) via an at least indirect connection of the profile element (16, 17) to the side wall element (13) on the one hand and by components of the side wall (4) provided in the longitudinal direction of the box body (1) on both sides of the at least one side wall element (13) on the other hand.