Interlocking Joint for Trailer Sidewalls
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of rivets in forming joints for trailer sidewalls creates snag points for forklifts, weakens the sidewall construction, is labor-intensive, and generates excessive noise during assembly, while also causing repetitive motion injuries.
Innovation Solution
A joint construction using a cap and a strip that interengage with interlocks to form a secure connection between composite panels or metal sheets, eliminating the need for rivets and providing a strong, noise-reduced, and safer assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If rivets are used to form joints between panels, then the panels can be joined together, but snag points are created for forklifts along the interior sides of the trailer
Solution Approach 1:
The joint is divided into two separate members: a cap member with an interlock extending from its first surface, and a strip member with an interlock extending from its second surface. These interlocks engage with each other to form the joint, eliminating the need for protruding rivet heads that create snag points.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using rivets that protrude from the panel surfaces, the patent uses interlocking members that extend into the gap between panels and engage with each other. The interlocks are designed to mate together within the panel gap, inverting the traditional rivet approach by having the fastening elements recessed rather than protruding.
2Ease of manufacture
If rivets are used to form joints, then panels can be joined, but the sidewall construction is weakened as a result of the apertures required through the panels
Solution Approach 1:
The joint system is segmented into a cap member and a strip member that are separate from the panels themselves. These members engage with each other within the gap between panels, eliminating the need to create apertures through the panels and thus preserving the structural integrity of the sidewall construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap member and strip member act as intermediary elements that facilitate the joint formation without requiring direct penetration of the panels. The interlocks on these intermediary members engage with each other to provide the fastening function, while the panels remain intact without apertures.
3Productivity
If rivets are used in the manufacturing process, then joints can be formed, but excessive noise is created during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The cap member and strip member are designed with interlocks that self-align and self-engage within the gap between panels. The interlocks are configured to mate together automatically when the members are positioned, eliminating the need for noisy rivet insertion operations and reducing assembly noise.
4Ease of manufacture
If rivets are used to form joints, then panels can be joined, but labor-intensive processes and repetitive motion injuries result from rivet insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The interlocking mechanism is designed to self-align and self-engage without requiring manual rivet insertion. The cap member and strip member with their complementary interlocks automatically form the joint when positioned, eliminating the labor-intensive and injury-prone rivet insertion process and improving assembly efficiency.
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
The joint construction enhances the strength and durability of trailer sidewalls, reduces labor and noise during assembly, and minimizes the risk of repetitive motion injuries by eliminating rivets, resulting in a more efficient and aesthetically pleasing manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
An adhesive may be provided between the base wall of the cap and the outer surfaces of the panels, and an adhesive may be provided between the base wall of the strip and the inner surfaces of the panels.
Implementation Method 2
The interlock of the strip and the interlock of the cap mate together to form a joint. The interlocks may be interengaging tangs, or a tang which interengages with an aperture.
Implementation Method 3
When the interlocks are engaged, a load may be placed on the cap and on the strip to compress the core members of the composite panels. Once the interlocks are mated, the load is removed and the core members expand to ensure a tight fit between the interlocks.
Data Source
AI summary
A wall or roof of a trailer are formed from a first panel and a second panel which are joined together by a cap and a strip which interengage. The cap includes a base wall and an interlock provided thereon. The base wall abuts the outer surfaces of the panels. The strip includes a base wall and an interlock provided thereon. The strip and cap are separate members. The base wall of the strip abuts the inner surfaces of the panels. The interlock of the strip and the interlock of the cap mate together to form a joint. The interlocks extend between the panels. The panels may be composite panels or may be from a single sheet or multiple sheets of metal. An adhesive may be provided between the base wall of the cap and the outer surfaces, and an adhesive may be provided between the base wall of the strip and the inner surfaces.