Utility Vehicle Support Profile With Modular Opening Grid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional support profiles for vehicle structures, such as fire engines, lack flexibility in accommodating varying arrangements of functional units and do not allow for diverse shapes and sizes without substantial modifications.

Innovation Solution

A support profile with a box-shaped cross section and parallel flanges that include evenly spaced openings for fixing means, allowing for flexible assembly and connection with traverse struts to form frames of different lengths and widths, enabling adjustable and adaptable frame configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional support profiles are used with fixed welding positions, then structural strength is ensured, but flexibility in arranging functional units is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in arranging functional unitsVSAvoidmodification requirements for profiles
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support profile is segmented into modular components with standardized opening patterns that allow functional units to be arranged in different configurations. The profile body is divided into sections with regular spacing of openings, enabling selective assembly without modifying the entire profile structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support profile design provides universal compatibility through standardized opening patterns and flange configurations that can accommodate various functional units. The same profile type can be used across different vehicle types and configurations, reducing the need for specialized profile modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If support profiles are designed for specific frame shapes and sizes, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to different vehicle configurations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different vehicle configurationsVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The profile design incorporates dynamic adaptability through regularly spaced openings that allow the same profile to be used in frames of different lengths and configurations. The standardized opening pattern enables the structure to be dynamically reconfigured for different vehicle types while maintaining structural integrity through consistent connection points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple profile modifications are made to accommodate different functional units, then functional versatility is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional component arrangement optionsVSAvoidprofile production simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of modifying profile geometry, the invention achieves versatility by changing the configuration parameters - specifically, the selection and combination of standardized openings. The same profile can be manufactured once with a regular pattern of openings, and different functional arrangements are achieved by selecting different opening combinations during assembly, not by creating different profile variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2008916B1Frame with support profiles for a utility vehicle structure
Publication Date: 2010.12.29 IVECO MAGIRUS AG
  • EP2008916B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2008916B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2008916B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The invention concerns a support profile (10) for the structure of a utility vehicle, in particular a fire engine or similar, characterised by a profile body (12) with an essentially box-shaped cross section and two parallel flanges (26,28) projecting laterally from said profile body, which extend in the longitudinal direction of the profile body along the latter, with the flanges and a wall (20) of the profile body opposite the flanges being provided with openings to accommodate fixing means, said openings being spaced at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the profile body.