Tractor Frame Profile Segmentation for Mounting Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing frame structure of tractor vehicles with fifth wheel coupling faces manufacturing issues due to compressive deformation at the transition point from horizontal to tilted sections, limited accessibility for mounting components, and restricted mounting order due to converging flanges, which complicates the insertion of additional construction elements.

Innovation Solution

The frame structure modifies the longitudinal profile members by cutting out or omitting the upper flanges at the transition point, using reinforcement profiles with an L-shaped cross-section to maintain stability, and incorporating a lower flange for rigidity, allowing for easier access and mounting of components like a battery box and enabling the insertion of traverse members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the longitudinal profile members have a C-shaped cross-section with drawn-in upper and lower flanges, then the structural stability is improved, but the accessibility to the mounting space between the profile members deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidaccessibility to mounting space
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The profile member is divided into different sections along its length: a first section with a C-shaped cross-section for structural stability, and a second section with an L-shaped cross-section for improved accessibility. This segmentation allows each section to fulfill its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different cross-sectional shapes are applied to different locations of the profile member. The C-shaped section provides stability where needed, while the L-shaped section provides accessibility in the mounting area. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between stability and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the upper flanges are drawn-in to the inner side of the frame, then the structural integrity is improved, but the mounting order freedom deteriorates due to converging flanges at the inclined end section

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmounting order freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The profile member is divided into sections with different cross-sectional shapes. The transition from C-shaped to L-shaped section creates an opening that allows traverse members to be inserted after the profile members are mounted, providing mounting order freedom while maintaining structural integrity in the C-shaped section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the traverse member inserted before the profile members (which would be required with fully drawn-in flanges), the design allows insertion after mounting by changing the flange configuration in the second section. This inverts the traditional mounting sequence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the transition from horizontal section to tilted end section is made with drawn-in upper flanges, then the structural continuity is improved, but manufacturing defects occur due to compressive deformation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural continuityVSAvoidmanufacturing defects
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The profile member is segmented into sections with different cross-sectional shapes. The transition from C-shaped to L-shaped section is designed to avoid compressive deformation during rolling manufacturing, eliminating manufacturing defects while maintaining structural continuity through the transition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Stability of the object's composition

If the upper flanges extend to the vehicle end, then the structural coverage is improved, but the space for mounting vehicle components deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural coverageVSAvoidmounting space
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The profile member is divided into sections: the first section has drawn-in upper flanges for structural coverage, while the second section has upper flanges that do not extend to the vehicle end, creating mounting space. This segmentation allows both structural coverage and mounting space requirements to be met.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The upper flange configuration is differentiated locally: drawn-in in the first section for structural coverage, and not extending to the end in the second section for mounting space. This local quality differentiation resolves the contradiction between coverage and space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2532567B1Frame structure of a tractor vehicle
Publication Date: 2014.10.29 IVECO MAGIRUS AG
  • EP2532567B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2532567B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2532567B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a frame structure (11) of a tractor vehicle, comprising a pair of longitudinal profile members (12,14) delimiting the frame laterally and extending towards the rear end of the vehicle. The profile members (12,14) each comprise a vertical web (16) and an upper flange (26) extending from the web (16) towards the inside of the frame (10), the upper sides of the longitudinal profile members (12,14) each comprising a horizontal section (22), followed by a downwardly declined end section at the rear end of the vehicle. This frame structure (11) is characterized in that the upper flanges (26) are cut-out or cut-off at least at the transition from the horizontal section to the end section, and the longitudinal profile members (12,14) are reinforced laterally by reinforcement profiles (32,34) that are flanged to the outer sides of the longitudinal profile members (12,14) and extend along their upper rims towards the rear end of the vehicle.