Dump Truck Tailgate Overload Link With Breakaway Safety Fastener

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dumper bodies in vehicles are often overloaded without detection, leading to damage of load-carry structure parts, which are expensive and time-consuming to repair.

Innovation Solution

A tailgate overload protection system with a wire and safety fastener that interconnects the rear frame and tailgate arm, where the safety fastener breaks first upon overload, protecting the dumper body and allowing for quick and simple repairs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If overload protection is added to the dumper body, then the load-carry structure parts are protected from damage, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of load-carry structure partsVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The overload protection function is segmented into a separate safety fastener component that is distinct from the main load-carry structure. This allows the protection mechanism to be added independently without complicating the overall structural design, as the safety fastener operates as a discrete element that can be installed and replaced separately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The safety fastener is designed as a sacrificial, replaceable component with lower durability than the main structure. When overload occurs, the safety fastener fails first, protecting the expensive load-carry structure. This disposable approach simplifies the system by using a cheap, easily replaceable part rather than a complex, adjustable protection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of repair

If the safety fastener is designed to break under overload, then repairs are simpler and faster, but the strength of the connection is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepair simplicityVSAvoidconnection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The safety fastener has locally reduced strength compared to the wire and structural components. This localized weakness is intentionally designed at the fastener location to ensure it fails first under overload conditions. The rest of the connection system maintains full strength, allowing the safety fastener to act as a controlled weak point that simplifies repair by being easily replaceable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a wire is used to interconnect the rear frame and tailgate arm, then the system is simpler and more versatile, but the wire may be damaged under extreme overload

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidwire strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The safety fastener acts as an intermediary element between the wire and the rear frame. It mediates the force transmission, allowing the simple wire connection to function while providing an additional protection layer. The safety fastener absorbs extreme overload forces that the wire alone might not withstand, protecting the wire from damage while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4353535B1Overload protection system
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
  • EP4353535B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4353535B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4353535B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tailgate overload protection system for a dump truck is disclosed. The tailgate overload protection system comprises a wire and a safety fastener. The wire is configured to interconnect a rear frame and a tailgate arm of the dump truck. The rear frame is connected to the wire via the safety fastener. The safety fastener is configured to break first when a tailgate of the dump truck is overloaded.