Vehicle Wall Rib Shelf Mounting for Thin Cargo Sidewalls

Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle shelf systems are not suitable for modern utility and cargo vehicles with lightweight side walls and electrical components, as they lack rigidity, are expensive to manufacture, and often require complex designs that increase costs and failure modes, while also posing risks to electrical components when fastened.

Innovation Solution

A wall reinforcement and shelf system that uses existing vehicle side wall ribs with reinforcing members and pivot mechanisms to securely attach shelves without drilling into the floor or sidewalls, allowing for easy positioning and stowing, and utilizing OEM-approved fasteners to avoid damage to electrical components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional shelf systems are attached to modern vehicle side walls, then the shelf system can be installed, but the thin, flexible side walls and ribs lack the rigidity to support the shelf system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport capacityVSAvoidwall rigidity

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The shelf system is divided into multiple components: reinforcing members that attach to existing ribs, brackets that connect to the reinforcing members, and shelf supports that provide the actual shelving surface. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the reinforcing members strengthen attachment points, the brackets provide connection interfaces, and the shelf supports carry the load, collectively solving the insufficient wall rigidity problem

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shelf supports are designed with pivotable connections that allow the shelf system to adapt to vehicle movement and wall flexibility. The pivotable brackets and shelf supports can accommodate the flexing of thin walls while maintaining secure attachment, enabling the system to dynamically respond to changes in wall rigidity rather than requiring absolutely rigid mounting surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If fasteners are drilled into the floor or sidewalls to attach shelves, then the shelf system can be securely attached, but electrical components may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoiddamage to electrical components

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system extracts the fastening function from the floor and sidewall surfaces by using reinforcing members that wrap around and attach to existing ribs. This removes the need to drill into areas where electrical components are located, as the attachment points are relocated to the ribs which are structurally sound and free of electrical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing members act as intermediary elements between the shelf system and the vehicle structure. Instead of directly fastening to the floor or sidewalls where electrical components exist, the reinforcing members attach to the ribs and provide a secure intermediate attachment surface that is structurally sound and free of electrical components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If shelves are designed to be stowable when not in use, then valuable space is freed up, but the design becomes complicated and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo space availabilityVSAvoidshelf mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shelf supports are designed with pivotable connections that allow the shelf system to adapt to vehicle movement and wall flexibility. The pivotable brackets and shelf supports can accommodate the flexing of thin walls while maintaining secure attachment, enabling the system to dynamically respond to changes in wall rigidity rather than requiring absolutely rigid mounting surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcing members serve multiple functions: they reinforce the attachment points on the thin walls, provide secure mounting surfaces for the brackets, and distribute loads across multiple ribs. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, simplifying the overall design while enabling stowable functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Volume of moving object

If complex shelf designs are used to enable stowing, then space is optimized, but manufacturing expenses increase and additional failure modes are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo space availabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The shelf system is divided into multiple components: reinforcing members that attach to existing ribs, brackets that connect to the reinforcing members, and shelf supports that provide the actual shelving surface. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the reinforcing members strengthen attachment points, the brackets provide connection interfaces, and the shelf supports carry the load, collectively solving the insufficient wall rigidity problem

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design uses simple, easily manufactured components that can be produced cost-effectively. The reinforcing members, brackets, and shelf supports are designed as straightforward metal components that can be manufactured using standard processes, avoiding complex machining or assembly operations that would increase manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 system provides a simple, robust, and cost-effective solution that maintains the structural integrity of the vehicle, reduces manufacturing complexity, and minimizes the risk of damaging electrical components, while allowing for easy installation and stowing of shelves.

Implementation Method 1

a pivot bar extending through the first and second pivot apertures, wherein the shelf support member selectively pivots about the pivot bar

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPivoting: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

a biasing member having a first end connected to the reinforcing member and a second end connected to the side portion of the shelf support member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11745666B1Wall reinforcement and shelf system for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.09.05 ADRIAN STEEL CO

AI summary

A wall reinforcement and shelf system for a vehicle cargo area may have a first rib reinforcing member and a second rib reinforcing member. Both reinforcing members may each have two side walls connected together by a front wall to form a hollow channel. The hollow channel may be shaped and sized to selectively receive a vehicle side wall rib therein. A shelf member may be pivotally connected to each of the first and second rib reinforcing members.