Side Wall Element With Recessed Skirting Board For Thermal Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to design a side wall element for vehicle box bodies that enhances thermal insulation while maximizing interior space and ensuring the protective function of the skirting board during loading and unloading, without compromising the structural integrity or increasing the external dimensions of the box body.

Innovation Solution

The side wall element features an inner cover layer with a shoulder along its longitudinal edge to accommodate the leg of an L-shaped skirting board, allowing the skirting board to be recessed into the side wall, thereby increasing the side wall thickness without reducing usable interior space and incorporating a reinforcing plate for stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If the side wall thickness is increased to improve thermal insulation, then the thermal insulation performance is improved, but the usable interior space of the box body is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulationVSAvoidusable interior space
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention relocates the skirting board from a position on the exterior surface of the side wall to a recessed position within the side wall structure. This dimensional repositioning allows the side wall to effectively utilize its thickness for thermal insulation purposes, as the insulation layer can now extend to the full thickness without being compromised by the skirting board occupying exterior space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The skirting board is nested within a recess formed in the side wall, rather than protruding from it. This nesting approach allows the protective function of the skirting board to be maintained while simultaneously providing additional exterior space that can be utilized for thermal insulation, thereby resolving the contradiction between insulation thickness and interior space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If the skirting board is positioned to provide protection during loading and unloading, then the protective function is improved, but the side wall structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotective functionVSAvoidside wall structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the skirting board with the side wall structure by integrating it into a recess formed in the side wall. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting structures or attachments, thereby maintaining the protective function while reducing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The side wall structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides thermal insulation, houses the skirting board for protective functions, and maintains structural integrity. The recess in the side wall simultaneously serves as both a protective feature and an insulation space, demonstrating multi-functionality that reduces complexity.

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

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design achieves significant thermal insulation improvements while maintaining the protective function of the skirting board and preventing deformation, ensuring efficient loading and unloading operations without compromising interior space or structural integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a heat-insulating filling filled into the space delimited by the cover layers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2116462B9Side wall element and connection between a side wall element and a base element of a box body for an automobile
Publication Date: 2012.06.27 SCHMITZ CARGOBULL AG
  • EP2116462B9 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2116462B9 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2116462B9 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The side wall element (L1) has an inner top layer (39) assigned to the internal space (I) which is surrounded by the box body. A shoulder (46) with a contact surface (47) is formed in the inner top layer for attaching the shank (33) of an L-shaped socket skirting board (30). The shoulder extends in the longitudinal direction. The inner cover layer is formed from metal sheet material. An independent claim is included for a connection between a floor element and a side wall element of a box body for a vehicle, such as truck, semi-trailer or trailer.