Sliding Rack Layout for Lateral Load Balancing in Commercial Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial vehicles often experience uneven lateral weight distribution due to unbalanced loading in the rear storage compartment, leading to inefficient use of space and potential handling issues.
Innovation Solution
A rack system for commercial vehicles that includes guide rails fixed to the vehicle structure, a rack slidingly supported by the guide rails, and a fixing unit for temporary fixing of the rack at various positions along the guide rails, allowing for lateral balancing of the load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If racks are installed only on the left-side and right-side panels of the rear storage compartment, then rack space is provided for storing items, but the commercial vehicle space is not completely occupied and the vehicle remains under its capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends rack installation from the conventional two-dimensional panel mounting to three-dimensional utilization by installing guide rails on the floor of the rear storage compartment. This allows racks to be positioned not only on side panels but also along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, effectively utilizing the floor space and achieving more complete occupation of the vehicle capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If a fixed rack system is installed on the vehicle, then rack space is maximized, but the loading balance cannot be adjusted leading to uneven lateral weight distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed rack system into a dynamic one by providing movable racks that can slide along the guide rails and be positioned at different locations. This allows the rack position to be adjusted according to the loading requirements, enabling proper lateral weight distribution while maintaining adequate rack space.
3Quantity of substance
If space is allocated for racks on side panels, then items can be stored, but sliding door space is compromised and overall vehicle space efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rack support function from the side panels and relocates it to the floor of the rear storage compartment through guide rails. This separation allows the side panels to be fully utilized for sliding door operations while the floor structure provides the necessary support for rack installation, eliminating the conflict between rack space and sliding door space.
Data Source
AI summary
A rack system for a commercial vehicle including at least one guide rail fixable to at least one vehicle structure of the commercial vehicle, and at least one rack slidingly supported by the guide rail back and forth in a lateral direction of the commercial vehicle. To laterally balance a loading of the commercial vehicle the rack system comprises at least one fixing unit for temporary fixing the rack selectively in one of several fixing positions disposed along the guide rail by fixing the rack to the guide rail and/or to the vehicle structure.