Universal Bracket for Trailer Crosspiece and Underride Bar
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cross member arrangements for coupling trailers to towing vehicles are complex and require a large number of varied parts to accommodate different vehicle designs, with previous solutions still needing multiple plates with precise passages for various cross-sections and combinations of vehicle components.
Innovation Solution
The use of two identical monolithic sheet metal brackets with a flat main part and transversely extending wings for fixing the crosspiece and underride bar, allowing for flexible mounting with bolts and enabling the same pair of brackets to be used for different sizes and lengths of crosspieces and underride bars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional flange arrangements are used to fix the crosspiece between longitudinal members, then the crosspiece can be securely mounted, but the structure becomes complex and requires a large number of varied parts for different vehicle designs
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed as a universal mounting component that can accommodate different crosspiece configurations and vehicle designs. The single bracket design with standardized mounting zones allows it to serve multiple functions: fixing the crosspiece to longitudinal members, providing attachment points for underride bars, and adapting to various chassis configurations without requiring design modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple mounting functions into a single integrated bracket structure. Instead of using separate flanges for different mounting purposes, the bracket merges the longitudinal member attachment function with the crosspiece fixation function and the underride bar mounting function into one unified component, thereby reducing the total number of parts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If precise passages are formed in plates to accommodate different cross-sections of bars, then the mounting can be adapted to various configurations, but the number of varied plates that must be kept available increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket incorporates adjustable and flexible mounting zones that can adapt to different bar cross-sections and positions. The wings and mounting zones are designed to accommodate variations in configuration without requiring different bracket designs, allowing the same bracket to be dynamically adapted to various mounting scenarios through positioning adjustments rather than physical redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket serves as a universal mounting solution that can handle different bar sizes, shapes, and positions. The standardized design with flexible mounting zones eliminates the need to maintain inventories of multiple specialized plates for different configurations, as one bracket design can accommodate all variations.
3Manufacturing precision
If the crosspiece length is precisely determined according to specific vehicle dimensions, then the mounting fits the vehicle perfectly, but the arrangement cannot be easily adapted to different vehicle designs
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed with segmented and modular mounting zones that can be independently positioned and adjusted. The main body and wings are structured as separate functional zones that can accommodate different spacing requirements between longitudinal members and crosspieces, allowing the same bracket design to be precisely adapted to various vehicle dimensions without compromising mounting precision.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple varied parts are kept available to respond to different vehicle designs, then all configurations can be accommodated, but the inventory complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed as a universal component that can replace multiple specialized parts in the inventory. By creating a single bracket design that can accommodate different vehicle designs, crosspiece configurations, and underride bar arrangements, the invention eliminates the need to maintain large inventories of varied mounting parts, thereby reducing inventory complexity and costs while maintaining full configuration coverage.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The arrangement has a crosspiece (1) and a transverse underrun bar (3) mounted on a chassis of vehicle at same time by identical brackets (2). Each of the brackets has a flat main part (21) comprising a fixing area (22) for fixing one of the brackets on the chassis and another fixing area (23) for fixing the crosspiece on the bracket. The latter fixing area has wings (24, 25) for fixing the crosspiece and the bar on the bracket. The wings are separated from each other and extended transversally with respect to the main part. The wings are folded in opposite directions. USE : Crosspiece arrangement for coupling a trailer i.e. low drawbar trailer, to a towing vehicle i.e. dump lorry, having 2.000-7.500 kilograms. ADVANTAGE : The crosspiece and the transverse underrun bar can be cut at desired length and with large cutting tolerance so as to reduce manufacturing cost of the crosspiece and the transverse underrun bar and provide large versatility of the brackets. The brackets can be used to mount the crosspieces and the underrun bars having different dimensions. The wings are folded in opposite directions so as to utilize the brackets on left and right of the beam and to distribute the forces exerted by the bar on each of the brackets at quasi equal proportions on right and left of the plane of the bracket defined by the main part. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS : The drawing shows an exploded perspective view of a crosspiece arrangement. 1 : Crosspiece 2 : Identical brackets 3 : Transverse underrun bar 21 : Flap main part 22, 23 : Fixing areas 24, 25 : Wings.