Reduced-Width Trailer Corner Post for Wider Door Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
The standard two-inch corner posts on trailers limit the door opening width, restricting the maximum cargo width due to federal regulations, and cannot be easily widened without a special permit, hindering the loading of larger items.
Innovation Solution
The use of reduced-width corner posts, constructed from three welded steel pieces, which are pivotably coupled to the rear doors, allowing a 100-inch door opening width while maintaining rigidity, by employing a planar body with U-shaped and flat sections to achieve a maximum width between 0.75 to 1.94 inches, enabling a wider door opening without violating external width regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If standard two-inch corner posts are used, then structural strength is maintained, but door opening width is limited to 98 5/16th inches
Solution Approach 1:
The corner post is divided into three separate steel pieces that are welded together: a first formed steel plate piece, a second piece with U-shaped and flat sections, and a third U-shaped piece. This segmentation allows the corner post to achieve the required strength through the combined structure while maintaining a reduced overall width of 0.75 to 1.94 inches, thereby increasing the door opening width to 100 inches.
2Length of stationary object
If corner post width is reduced to increase door opening, then cargo width capacity improves, but corner post rigidity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The corner post is constructed as a composite structure using three different steel pieces with specific geometric configurations (formed plate, U-shaped with flat section, and U-shaped covering piece). These pieces are welded together to create a composite corner post that achieves both reduced width (0.75 to 1.94 inches) and sufficient rigidity through the combined structural properties of the multiple pieces.
3Length of stationary object
If external trailer width is increased to move posts farther apart, then door opening width increases, but federal regulations are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The solution extracts the width constraint from the corner post design itself rather than from the overall trailer dimensions. By reducing the corner post width to 0.75 to 1.94 inches, the patent enables a 100-inch door opening within the existing federal regulation-compliant external trailer width, separating the door opening width parameter from the external trailer width parameter.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for a minimum clearance width of 98.44 inches, enabling the loading of items up to 100.88 inches wide, enhancing cargo capacity within the trailer without requiring a special permit for wider trailers or truck bodies.
Implementation Method 1
Each corner post is pivotably coupled to a respective door that swings open. In order to achieve the same level of rigidity as the standard two-inch wide post, the corner posts each include three separate pieces that are welded together.
Data Source
AI summary
A corner post is for a rear door of a trailer, container or truck body. The corner post has a width when the door has been swung open 90 degrees between 0.75 inch and 1.94 inch such that the width of the opening into the trailer when both doors are open is at least 98.44 inches. The corner post includes three pieces that are attached together. The three pieces include planar sections and U-shaped sections.