Commercial Vehicle Stanchion Locking with Rounded Retaining Contours

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing commercial vehicle body designs with straight-line guide surfaces for central stanchion locks are not suitable for securing loads under high forces, as they tend to lift the roof spar, leading to unlocking issues during braking or heavy load transport.

Innovation Solution

The use of round holding contours on the locking means for the stanchion and roof rail, which form a positive connection to securely lock the stanchion in place, preventing movement along the roof rail, especially during heavy braking or securing heavy loads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If straight-line guide surfaces are used for the locking mechanism, then the stanchion can be locked to the roof rail, but the locking mechanism is released under high longitudinal forces such as during sharp braking or heavy load securing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking mechanism stabilityVSAvoidlongitudinal force resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the straight-line guide surfaces with rounded retaining contours featuring rounded edges. This curvature allows the locking means to gently engage during locking while the rounded edges provide a blunt stop that prevents the stanchion from lifting the roof rail under high longitudinal forces, thereby maintaining reliable locking during sharp braking or heavy load securing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If additional securing means are added to prevent roof rail lifting, then load securing reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload securing reliabilityVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves improved load securing reliability by modifying the geometry of existing locking components to include rounded retaining contours with rounded edges. This design inherently prevents roof rail lifting under load without requiring additional securing means, thereby maintaining simplicity while enhancing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If the stanchion is freely movable on the roof rail, then ease of operation improves, but the stanchion may shift and jam or become lost under load securing forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestanchion movabilityVSAvoidstanchion position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rounded retaining contours with rounded edges provide gentle engagement that allows the stanchion to be easily moved along the roof rail when not locked, while the blunt stop effect of the rounded edges prevents the stanchion from shifting excessively or becoming lost when locked under load securing forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP4488086A1Commercial vehicle structure
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 KOEGEL TRAILER GMBH
  • EP4488086A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4488086A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4488086A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a commercial vehicle body (10) with at least one stanchion (11) and at least one roof rail (12) of a roof, in particular a height-adjustable roof, wherein the stanchion (11) is slidably guided on the roof rail (12) and can be moved from a locked position to an unlocked position and vice versa, wherein locking means (14) are provided on the roof rail (12) and on a stanchion head (13) of the stanchion (11), which interlock in a locked position of the stanchion (11) to prevent the stanchion (11) from sliding along the roof rail (12), wherein the locking means (14) each have at least two round retaining contours (15), wherein the retaining contours (15) of the locking means (14) form a positive fit at least in the longitudinal direction of the roof rail (12) in the locked position.