Triangular Bracket Suspension for Vibration-Safe Vehicle Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suspension arrangements for containers on vehicles are prone to damage due to vehicle jolting, which can lead to leaks or breakage, especially at welded joints or folded material, and are difficult to maintain and replace.

Innovation Solution

A suspension arrangement using three brackets with supporting parts arranged in a triangular support position, providing three contact points for supporting the container, which reduces vibrations and twisting, and includes adjustable and releasable locking mechanisms for secure attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the container is fastened firmly to the vehicle at the top and bottom of the back side, then the attachment stability is improved, but the container gets damaged due to vehicle jolting and vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidcontainer integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension arrangement is divided into three separate brackets positioned at different locations on the container (two at the top corners and one at the bottom center), distributing the attachment points across the container structure. This segmentation prevents concentrated stress at single points while maintaining overall stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each bracket is designed with specific local features: the top brackets have upper and lower attachment points for securing to the vehicle, while the bottom bracket provides a base support point. The brackets engage with corresponding recesses or slots in the container at specific locations, providing localized support without compromising the overall container structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the container is fastened firmly to the vehicle, then the attachment stability is improved, but the maintenance and replacement become difficult and time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The three brackets are designed as separate, independent components that can be individually accessed and removed. This segmentation allows maintenance workers to service or replace brackets without having to dismantle the entire container assembly, significantly improving maintenance accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The brackets incorporate movable or adjustable elements that allow for easy installation and removal. The design enables dynamic access to attachment points, allowing containers to be quickly mounted and dismounted for maintenance or replacement without permanent fastening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If thick material is used to prevent damage during jolting, then the container strength is improved, but the container weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer strengthVSAvoidcontainer weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The three brackets act as intermediary elements between the vehicle and the container, absorbing and distributing the mechanical stresses from vehicle jolting and vibrations. This mediator approach allows the use of lighter container materials while the brackets bear the brunt of the mechanical loads, protecting the container structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The stress-absorbing function is extracted from the container structure itself and transferred to the separate bracket components. By taking out the shock-absorption function into dedicated suspension brackets, the container can be constructed with lighter materials that would otherwise need to be thick to handle the stresses directly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4238800B1Suspension arrangement for suspending a container to a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 DANTANK
  • EP4238800B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4238800B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4238800B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The present invention relates to a suspension arrangement (1) for suspension of a container (2) to a side member of a vehicle. It is an object of the invention to provide suspension arrangement (1) and a method for suspending a container (2) to a vehicle, which provides a suspension of the container without the container getting damaged during use. The suspension of the container must be easily attachable to the vehicle. The present invention addresses this by providing a suspension arrangement (1) to suspend a container (2) to a side member of a vehicle, wherein said suspension arrangement comprises a first bracket (1') and a second bracket (1") and a third bracket (1‴), wherein said brackets each has at least one supporting part (4) for engaging a supported surface (3) of said container, wherein the supporting parts of said brackets (1',1",1‴) are arranged in a triangular support position (9) relative to each other, such that a support side of said container is capable of resting against the supporting parts and be supported in three various contact points.