Tailgate Reinforcement Frame for Balanced Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tailgate reinforcement elements in vehicles are not interconnected, leading to uneven stress distribution and potential early failure of some components due to unbalanced loads, which compromises the tailgate's performance and durability.
Innovation Solution
A reinforcement frame with interconnected longitudinal and transverse members, arranged at specific angles and planes, providing balanced support and load distribution by coupling the members to share stresses, enhancing torsional and bending stiffness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If reinforcement elements are distributed at different locations without interconnection, then local stiffness is improved, but stress distribution becomes unbalanced and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent connects previously separate reinforcement elements into an integrated reinforcement structure. The connection members join multiple reinforcement elements (first, second, third, and fourth reinforcement elements) at their respective ends, forming a unified load-bearing system that distributes stresses evenly across all elements rather than concentrating loads on individual isolated elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement structure is divided into multiple discrete reinforcement elements (first, second, third, fourth reinforcement elements) positioned at different locations on the tailgate. Each element can be independently positioned to address specific local stiffness requirements, while the connection members integrate them into a coordinated system.
2Ease of manufacture
If reinforcement elements are isolated and not connected, then manufacturing is simpler, but load distribution efficiency is reduced and durability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connection members integrate multiple reinforcement elements into a single functional unit. This merged structure allows loads to be distributed across all reinforcement elements simultaneously, preventing any single element from bearing excessive stress and thereby extending the overall durability of the tailgate assembly.
3Device complexity
If reinforcement elements are arranged without interconnection, then device complexity is reduced, but torsional stiffness and bending stiffness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The connection members extend in the transverse direction (left-to-right across the tailgate) to connect reinforcement elements that are positioned at different longitudinal locations. This transverse dimensionality creates a three-dimensional reinforcement network that effectively resists both torsional and bending loads, significantly improving structural stability without requiring excessive complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a reinforcement frame (100) for a tailgate of a vehicle, comprising: a first and second longitudinal members (102, 104) arranged at an angle relative to a vertical plane defined by at least a longitudinal axis (105) of the vehicle, and laterally separated from each other; and at least one of a first transverse member (108), a second transverse member (110), a third transverse member (112), and a fourth transverse member (114), wherein at least one of first transverse member (108), second transverse member (110), third transverse member (112), and fourth transverse member (114) couples the first longitudinal member (102) with the second longitudinal member (104), and wherein the at least one of first transverse member (108), second transverse member (110), third transverse member (112), and fourth transverse member (114) is arranged parallel to a transverse axis (107) of the vehicle.