U.S. patent application number 12/751004 was filed with the patent office on 2010-10-14 for streamline container for a van.
Invention is credited to Guohao Huang, T.H. Huang, Duanjun Ma, Robert Wang.
Application Number | 20100258558 12/751004 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41524356 |
Filed Date | 2010-10-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100258558 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Huang; T.H. ; et
al. |
October 14, 2010 |
Streamline Container For A Van
Abstract
A streamline container for a van, comprises a base frame, two
side panels and a front end panel mounted on the base frame via
floor bearers, and a roof sheet mounted on the two side panels and
the front end panel via roof bows. At the outside of the roof bow,
there is provided a streamline angle-wrapping component protruding
outwards for shunting the airflow. The angle-wrapping component is
smoothly and transitionally connected with the roof bow. In the
present invention, due to the streamline angle-wrapping component,
it is possible to effectively shunt the airflow, significantly
decrease the wind resistance during the running of the van and help
to reduce the energy consumption of the van.
Inventors: |
Huang; T.H.; (Qingdao City,
CN) ; Wang; Robert; (Qingdao City, CN) ;
Huang; Guohao; (Qingdao City, CN) ; Ma; Duanjun;
(Qingdao City, CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BOYLE FREDRICKSON S.C.
840 North Plankinton Avenue
MILWAUKEE
WI
53203
US
|
Family ID: |
41524356 |
Appl. No.: |
12/751004 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/1.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62D 35/001 20130101;
B62D 33/046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/1.5 |
International
Class: |
B65D 88/00 20060101
B65D088/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 8, 2009 |
CN |
200920148429.X |
Claims
1. A streamline container for a van, comprising: a base frame, two
side panels and a front end panel mounted onto said base frame via
floor bearers, and a roof sheet mounted on said two side panels and
said front end panel via roof bows, wherein at the outside of said
roof bows, there is provided a streamline angle-wrapping component
protruding outwards for shunting the airflow, said angle-wrapping
component being smoothly and transitionally connected with said
roof bow.
2. The streamline container for a van according to claim 1, wherein
a side floor bearer of said floor bearers connects said side panel
and said base frame, an outside of said side floor bearer is
provided with a streamline angle-wrapping component protruding
outwards for shunting the airflow, and said angle-wrapping
component is smoothly and transitionally connected with said side
floor bearer.
3. The streamline container for a van according to claim 2, wherein
a front floor bearer of said floor bearers connects said front end
panel and said base frame, an outside of said front floor bearer is
provided with a streamline angle-wrapping component protruding
outwards for shunting the airflow, and said angle-wrapping
component is smoothly and transitionally connected with said front
floor bearer.
4. The streamline container for a van according to claim 3, wherein
both ends of the angle-wrapping component are lapped and then
riveted, adhered or detachably connected to the outside of said
roof bow or said front/side floor bearer.
5. The streamline container for a van according to claim 1, wherein
a portion on said roof bow for connecting the outer side panel of
said roof sheet is provided with a clamping slot at the outside
thereof, a portion on said roof bow for connecting the outer side
panel of said side panel is provided with a clamping slot at the
outside thereof, and both ends of said angle-wrapping component are
engaged into said two clamping slots, respectively.
6. The streamline container for a van according to claim 3, wherein
a portion on said floor bearer for connecting said base frame is
provided with a clamping slot at the outside thereof, a portion on
said floor bearer for connecting said outer side panel of said side
panel is provided with a clamping slot at the outside thereof, and
both ends of said angle-wrapping component are engaged into said
two clamping slots, respectively.
7. The streamline container for a van according to claim 5, wherein
said angle-wrapping component is provided with clamping parts at
both ends respectively, said clamping parts protrude inwards and
have L-shaped cross sections, a portion of the clamping part is
stuck to the opening of said clamping slot, the other portion
perpendicular thereto extends into said clamping slot and attaches
onto the inner surface of one slot wall, and the outer surface of
said slot wall is smoothly and transitionally connected with the
outer surface of said angle-wrapping component.
8. The streamline container for a van according to claim 6, wherein
said angle-wrapping component is provided with clamping parts at
both ends respectively, said clamping parts protrude inwards and
have L-shaped cross sections, a portion of the clamping part is
stuck to the opening of said clamping slot, the other portion
perpendicular thereto extends into said clamping slot and attaches
onto the inner surface of one slot wall, and the outer surface of
said slot wall is smoothly and transitionally connected with the
outer surface of said angle-wrapping component.
9. The streamline container for a van according to claim 1, wherein
said angle-wrapping component is a circular arc surface with a
radius not less than 40 mm.
10. The streamline container for a van according to claim 1,
wherein said angle-wrapping component is formed by connecting
multiple circular arc surfaces or by connecting at least one
circular arc surface with involute surfaces smoothly and
transitionally.
11. The streamline container for a van according to claim 2,
wherein said angle-wrapping component is formed by connecting
multiple circular arc surfaces or by connecting at least one
circular arc surface with involute surfaces smoothly and
transitionally.
12. The streamline container for a van according to claim 3,
wherein said angle-wrapping component is formed by connecting
multiple circular arc surfaces or by connecting at least one
circular arc surface with involute surfaces smoothly and
transitionally.
13. The streamline container for a van according to claim 4,
wherein said angle-wrapping component is formed by connecting
multiple circular arc surfaces or by connecting at least one
circular arc surface with involute surfaces smoothly and
transitionally.
14. The streamline container for a van according to claim 5,
wherein said angle-wrapping component is formed by connecting
multiple circular arc surfaces or by connecting at least one
circular arc surface with involute surfaces smoothly and
transitionally.
15. The streamline container for a van according to claim 6,
wherein said angle-wrapping component is formed by connecting
multiple circular arc surfaces or by connecting at least one
circular arc surface with involute surfaces smoothly and
transitionally.
16. The streamline container for a van according to claim 5,
wherein said roof bow has a vertical edge for connecting the outer
side panel of said side panel or an outer front panel of said front
end panel and a horizontal edge for connecting the outer roof sheet
of said roof sheet, and said two clamping slots are provided at an
upper end of said vertical edge and an outer end of said horizontal
edge, respectively.
17. The streamline container for a van according to claim 6,
wherein said floor bearer has two vertical edges and a horizontal
edge for connecting said two vertical edges, wherein the lower
vertical edge is connected with said base frame, the upper vertical
edge is connected with said outer side panel of said side panel,
and said two clamping slots are provided at a lower end of said
lower vertical edge and a bending position connecting said upper
vertical edge with said horizontal edge, respectively.
18. The streamline container for a van according to claim 1,
wherein a space between said angle-wrapping component and said roof
bow and said floor bearer is filled with foam.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a container structure for a
van.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] As shown in FIG. 1, a container structure for a van includes
a base frame 1, two side panels 2, a front end panel 3, a rear end
panel with a rear door, and a roof sheet 4 which are mounted onto
the periphery of the base frame 1. Currently, the outside corners
for connection between two side panels 2 and the roof sheet 4 and
the base frame 1 are mostly right-angled, or provided with flanges
for riveting which locally form a wind-catching structure. As a
result, the van suffers from a large wind resistance during
running
[0003] As shown in FIG. 2, in a traditional container for a van,
the side panel 2 is connected with the roof sheet 4 by a single
roof bow 5. The roof bow 5 is right-angled, with its vertical edge
being connected with the outer side panel 21 of the side panel 2,
and its horizontal edge being connected with the roof sheet
reinforcing rib 42 of the roof sheet 4. The horizontal edge is
provided with an L-shaped flange which is used to be riveted with
the outer roof sheet 41 of the roof sheet 4. The L-shaped flange
forms a wind-catching structure which increases the wind resistance
during the running of the van.
[0004] As shown in FIG. 3, in another traditional container for a
van, the connection structure between the side panel 2 and the roof
sheet 4 includes an outer roof bow 52 and an inner roof bow 51. In
this case, the inner roof bow 51 is right-angled, and is riveted
with the side panel reinforcing rib 22 and the roof sheet
reinforcing rib 42. The outer roof bow 52 is right-angled and
connects the outer side panel 21 and the outer roof sheet 41. To
facilitate the fabrication of the right-angled outer roof bow 52,
the joint for two edges of the outer roof bow 52 has a circular arc
angle. Such a connection structure can also be applied to the
connection between the roof sheet and the front and/or rear end
panel. Compared with the single roof bow 5 described above, the
connection structure shown in FIG. 3 reduces the wind resistance
during running of the van, because the outer roof bow 52 is not
provided with a flange. However, since the circular arc angle for
the outer roof bow 52 is too small to shunt the airflow and reduce
the wind resistance, the van still suffers from a large wind
resistance during running.
[0005] As shown in FIG. 4, in a traditional container for a van,
the connection structure between the side panel 2 and the base
frame 1 includes a flat-shaped floor bearer 6 connecting the outer
side panel 21 and the outer surface of the base frame 1. At the
middle of the floor bearer 6, an auxiliary connecting plate 61 is
provided for being connected onto the base frame 1. Such a
connection structure can also be applied to the connection between
the front/rear end panel and the base frame. The floor bearer 6 is
flat-shaped and can not shunt the airflow and reduce the wind
resistance. As a result, the van suffers from a large wind
resistance during running.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In view of the drawbacks in the prior art, it is an object
of the present invention to provide a streamline container for a
van with a small wind resistance during the running of the van.
[0007] The following solution is adapted in the present invention
to achieve the above object.
[0008] The streamline container for a van according to the present
invention includes a base frame, two side panels and a front end
panel mounted on the base frame via floor bearers, and a roof sheet
mounted on the two side panels and the front end panel via roof
bows. At the outside of the roof bow, there is provided a
streamline angle-wrapping component protruding outwards for
shunting the airflow. The angle-wrapping component is smoothly and
transitionally connected with the roof bow.
[0009] A side floor bearer of the floor bearers serves to connect
the side panel and the base frame, an outside of the side floor
bearer is provided with a streamline angle-wrapping component
protruding outwards for shunting the airflow, and the
angle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionally connected
with the side floor bearer.
[0010] A front floor bearer of the floor bearers serves to connect
the front end panel and the base frame, an outside of the front
floor bearer is provided with a streamline angle-wrapping component
protruding outwards for shunting the airflow, and the
angle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionally connected
with the front floor bearer.
[0011] Both ends of the angle-wrapping component are riveted,
adhered, or detachably connected to the outside of the roof bow or
the front/side floor bearer.
[0012] A portion on the roof bow for connecting the outer side
panel of the roof sheet is provided with a clamping slot at the
outside thereof, a portion on the roof bow for connecting the outer
side panel of the side panel is provided with a clamping slot at
the outside thereof, and both ends of the angle-wrapping component
are engaged into the two clamping slots.
[0013] A portion on the floor bearer for connecting the base frame
is provided with a clamping slot at the outside thereof, a portion
on the floor bearer for connecting the outer side panel of the side
panel is provided with a clamping slot at the outside thereof, and
both ends of the angle-wrapping component are engaged into the two
clamping slots.
[0014] The angle-wrapping component is provided with engaging parts
at both ends respectively, the engaging parts protrude inwards and
have L-shaped cross sections, a portion of the engaging part is
stuck to the opening of the clamping slot, the other portion
perpendicular thereto extends into the clamping slot and attaches
onto the inner surface of one slot wall, and the outer surface of
the slot wall is smoothly and transitionally connected with the
outer surface of the angle-wrapping component.
[0015] The angle-wrapping component is a circular arc surface with
a radius not less than 40 mm.
[0016] The angle-wrapping component is formed by connecting
multiple circular arc surfaces or by connecting at least one
circular arc surfaces with involute surfaces smoothly and
transitionally.
[0017] The roof bow has a vertical edge for connecting the outer
side panel of the side panel or an outer front panel of the front
end panel and a horizontal edge for connecting the outer roof sheet
of the roof sheet, and the two clamping slots are provided at an
upper end of the vertical edge and an outer end of the horizontal
edge, respectively.
[0018] The floor bearer has two vertical edges and a horizontal
edge for connecting the two vertical edges. A lower vertical edge
is connected with the base frame, and an upper vertical edge is
connected with the outer side panel of the side panel. The two
clamping slots are provided at a lower end of the lower vertical
edge and a bending position of the upper vertical edge and the
horizontal edge, respectively.
[0019] The space between the angle-wrapping component and the roof
bow and the floor bearer is filled with foam.
[0020] The streamline container for a van according to the present
invention has the following advantages and effects. According to
the present invention, the outside of the roof bow for connecting
the roof sheet and each of the side panel, the front end panel and
the rear end panel is provided with a streamline angle-wrapping
component protruding outwards for shunting the airflow, and the
angle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionally connected
with the roof bow, so that it is possible to effectively shunt the
airflow, significantly decrease the wind resistance during the
running of the van and help to reduce the energy consumption of the
van.
[0021] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed
description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container structure for a
van in the prior art;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 1,
showing a connection structure between the side panel and the roof
sheet for a van in the prior art;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 1,
showing another connection structure between the side panel and the
roof sheet for a van in the prior art;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line B-B in FIG. 1,
showing a connection structure between the side panel and the base
frame for a van in the prior art;
[0026] FIG. 5 shows the structure of a roof bow and an
angle-wrapping component for connecting the side panel and the roof
sheet in a streamline container for a van according to the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 6 shows the structure of a floor bearer and an
angle-wrapping component for connecting the side panel and the base
frame in a streamline container for a van according to the present
invention; and
[0028] FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the airflow shunted by
the angle-wrapping component in a streamline container for a van
according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] The embodiments of the present invention will be described
in details thereafter. It should be noted that the embodiments
described herein are intended to illustrate but not limit the
present invention.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the streamline container for
a van according to the present invention includes a base frame 1,
two side panels 2 and a front end panel 3 mounted onto the
periphery of the base frame 1 via floor bearers, a roof sheet 4
mounted on the two side panels 2 and the front end panel 3 via roof
bows, and a rear door (not shown).
[0031] The roof bows include two side roof bows 7 for connecting
the roof sheet 4 and the two side panels 2 respectively, and a
front roof bow for connecting the roof sheet 4 and the front end
panel 3. The floor bearers include two side floor bearers for
connecting the two side panels 2 and the base frame 1 respectively,
and a front floor bearer for connecting the front end panel 3 and
the base frame 1. The top of the container suffers from the largest
wind resistance when the van is running. Accordingly, in the
present invention, at the outside of the front roof bow and the
side roof bow, there is provided a streamline angle-wrapping
component protruding outwards for shunting the airflow.
Furthermore, the angle-wrapping component is smoothly and
transitionally connected with each roof bow. To further reduce the
wind resistance, it is also possible to provide at the outside of
the side floor bearer a streamline angle-wrapping component
protruding outwards for shunting the airflow, and this
angle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionally connected
the side floor bearer. In addition, it is possible to provide at
the outside of the front floor bearer a streamline angle-wrapping
component protruding outwards for shunting the airflow, and this
angle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionally connected
with the front floor bearer. Although the front side beam is
relatively close to the cab, not only can the wind resistance be
reduced by providing the angle-wrapping component, but the
container of the present invention is formed into an integral
entirety and has a beautiful appearance. Both ends of each
angle-wrapping component described above can be detachably mounted
on the outside of the roof bow, the front floor bearer or the side
floor bearer by lapping and then riveting, adhesion or plug-in
connection.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, in the streamline container for a van of
the present invention, the side roof bow 7 has a vertical edge 8
for connecting the outer side panel 21 of the side panel 2 and a
horizontal edge 9 for connecting the outer roof sheet 41 of the
roof sheet 4. A clamping slot 81 is provided at the upper end of
the vertical edge 8, and a clamping slot 91 is provided at the
outer end of the horizontal edge 9.
[0033] The angle-wrapping component 10 has a circular arc surface
with a radius of 50 mm. However, the radius of the circular arc
surface is not limited to 50 mm, and is generally not less than 40
mm, as long as the circular arc surface can effectively shunt the
airflow. Both ends of the angle-wrapping component 10 are engaged
into the clamping slot 91 of the horizontal edge 9 and the clamping
slot 81 of the vertical edge roof bow 8. The angle-wrapping
component 10 is provided with clamping parts 14 at both ends
therof. The clamping parts 14 protrude inwards and have L-shaped
cross sections. A portion of the clamping part 14 is stuck to the
opening of the clamping slot 91 or 81, and the other portion
perpendicular thereto extends into the clamping slot 91 or 81 and
attaches onto the inner surface of a slot wall. Besides, the outer
surface of the slot wall is smoothly and transitionally connected
with the outer surface of the angle-wrapping component, so that the
wind resistance during the running of van can be further decreased
microscopically.
[0034] In the present invention, the side roof bow 7 can also be
formed into a detachable two- or multiple-body structure. As long
as clamping slots for accommodating the angle-wrapping component
are provided in the side roof bow 7 at the outer end of a portion
for connecting the outer roof sheet 41 and at a portion for
connecting the outer side panel 21, the angle-wrapping component
can be mounted by plug-in connection. In case that the
angle-wrapping component is mounted onto the side roof bow 7 by
adhesion, or lapping and then riveting, and the like, it is not
necessary to provide the clamping slot. In the present invention,
the angle-wrapping component may be mounted on the front roof bow
in the same way as the angle-wrapping component is mounted on the
side roof bow 7, which is not described here for clarity.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 6, in the streamline container for a van
according to the present invention, the side floor bearer 11 has
two vertical edges and a horizontal edge for connecting these two
vertical edges. The lower vertical edge is connected with the base
frame 1, and is provided with a clamping slot 13 at the outside of
the lower end; and the upper vertical edge is connected with the
outer side panel 21 of the side panel 2, and is provided with a
clamping slot 12 at the bending position connecting the vertical
edge with the horizontal edge.
[0036] The angle-wrapping component 10 is made up of two circular
arc surfaces with different radius which are connected smoothly and
transitionally. The upper end of the angle-wrapping component 10 is
provided with a clamping part 14. The clamping part 14 protrudes
inwards and has an L-shaped cross section. A portion of the
clamping part 14 extends into the clamping slot 12, and the other
portion perpendicular thereto is stuck to a slot wall of the
opening for the clamping slot 12. The outer surface of the slot
wall is smoothly and transitionally connected with the outer
surface of the angle-wrapping component 10, so that the wind
resistance during the running of van can be further decreased.
[0037] Similarly, the side floor bearer 11 according to the present
invention can also be formed into a two-body structure or other
suitable forms. As long as clamping slots for accommodating the
angle-wrapping component are provided in the side floor bearer 11
at a portion for connecting the outer side panel 21 and at a
portion for connecting the base frame 1, the angle-wrapping
component can be mounted by plug-in connection. In case that the
angle-wrapping component is mounted onto the side floor bearer 11
by adhesion, lapping and then riveting, and the like, it is not
necessary to provide the clamping slot. In the present invention,
the angle-wrapping component may be mounted on the front floor
bearer in the same way as the angle-wrapping component is mounted
on the side floor bearer, which is not described here for
clarity.
[0038] In the streamline container for a van according to the
present invention, the angle-wrapping component 10 is not limited
to the forms described above, but can be made up of circular arc
surfaces, involute surfaces and the like which are tangent and
connected with each other smoothly and transitionally, as long as
it can shunt the airflow so as to decrease the wind resistance
during the transport of the van.
[0039] In the present invention, the space between the
angle-wrapping component and the roof bow and floor bearer can also
be filled with foam so as to increase the strength of the
angle-wrapping component; otherwise it is not filled with foam but
used for wiring to make the container more beautiful. In addition,
the angle-wrapping component 10 is connected with the roof bow or
the floor bearer by plug-in connection, so that when the roof bow
or the floor bearer is partially damaged or suffers from wiring
failure, the angle-wrapping component can be dismounted
conveniently for repair or replacement.
[0040] In the streamline container for a van according to the
present invention, the angle-wrapping component can also be mounted
on the rear door corner column and the corner column connecting the
front end panel and side panel, respectively. Each angle-wrapping
component may be mounted on the corner column in the same way as it
is mounted on the roof bow and the floor bearer, and the
angle-wrapping component can be detachably connected by riveting,
adhesion or plug-in connection.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 7, in the streamline container for a van
according to the present invention, streamline angle-wrapping
components protruding outwards are provided not only at the outside
of the roof bow connecting the roof sheet and the side panel as
well as the front end panel, but also at the outside of the floor
bearer connecting the base frame and the side panel as well as the
front end panel, and the outer surface of the angle-wrapping
component is smoothly and transitionally connected with the outer
surface of the container, so that it is possible to effectively
shunt the airflow, significantly decrease the wind resistance
during the running of the van and help to reduce the energy
consumption of the van.
[0042] While the present invention has been described in connection
with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the terms
herein illustrate rather than limit the present invention. The
present invention can be practiced in many particular embodiments
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention, and thus it will be appreciated that the above
embodiments should not be limited to any details described above,
but should be interpreted broadly with the spirit and scope defined
by the appended claims. The appended claims intend to cover all the
modifications and changes falling within the scope of the appended
claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *