Cargo Vehicle Suspension Support Deck with Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cargo carrying vehicles face challenges in achieving sufficient strength, ease of use, reduced wind resistance, and lighter weight due to complex and heavy suspension systems that increase wind resistance and weight, while also needing to withstand dynamic forces and cargo loads without deformation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a suspension support and mounting arrangement featuring a deck with elongated cavities and support members that reduce weight and enhance strength, along with a reinforcing and suspension supporting arrangement that includes brace plates and a suspension subframe to distribute loads effectively and minimize unnecessary weight, while optimizing wind resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a complex suspension system is used to support cargo loads and dynamic forces, then the vehicle has sufficient strength and reliability, but the weight increases and wind resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system is divided into modular components including a suspension subframe, deck pieces with integrated cavities, and separate support members. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for strength-to-weight ratio, reducing overall system weight while maintaining load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The deck pieces incorporate localized reinforcement through integrated cavities and support members positioned at specific high-stress areas. This provides targeted strength enhancement only where needed rather than uniformly reinforcing the entire structure, minimizing unnecessary weight.
2Strength
If a complex suspension system is used to support cargo loads and dynamic forces, then the vehicle has sufficient strength and reliability, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deck pieces are designed with integrated cavities that combine structural support, suspension mounting, and cargo accommodation functions into a single component. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall suspension system architecture while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The deck pieces serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural support for cargo, integrate suspension system mounting points, and incorporate cavities for additional reinforcement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall system.
3Strength
If traditional suspension structures are used to support cargo loads, then the vehicle has sufficient strength, but the wind resistance increases at highway speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The deck pieces utilize thin-walled cavity structures that provide structural strength while minimizing surface area exposed to wind. The cavity design allows the structure to maintain rigidity through geometric reinforcement rather than increasing material thickness, reducing wind resistance.
4Reliability
If heavy suspension structures are used to withstand dynamic forces, then the vehicle has sufficient strength and reliability, but the fuel economy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The suspension system incorporates composite construction combining aluminum alloy deck pieces with integrated cavity structures and support members. This composite approach provides high strength-to-weight ratio, reducing overall system weight while maintaining reliability, thereby improving fuel economy.
Data Source
AI summary
A cargo carrying vehicle (10) includes a load support deck (44) comprised of a plurality of laterally adjacent deck pieces (46). Each deck piece includes in transverse cross section a plurality of elongated cavities (56) in which respective support members (100) may be selectively longitudinally positioned. A frame (128) includes a support and mounting arrangement for one or more suspension subframes (142) that each include a wheel supporting axle (144). Brace plates (168, 170, 172) operatively connect with frame rails (130, 132) and lateral support ribs (140) to reinforce the frame structure and attach the suspension subframe.