New superstructure frame system to create aerodynamic trail that provides fuel savings in curtainsider semitrailers

Abstract

The invention relates particularly to the trailing inclined upper body structure designed according to aerodynamic effects to save fuel in vehicles with curtainsider semitrailers.

Description

[0001] NEW SUPERSTRUCTURE FRAME SYSTEM TO CREATE AERODYNAMIC TRAIL THAT PROVIDES FUEL SAVINGS IN CURTAINSIDER SEMITRAILERS

[0002] Technical field of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to the trailing inclined upper body structure to provide fuel savings in vehicles with curtainsider semitrailers.

[0004] The invention particularly relates to a superstructure designed according to aerodynamic effects to save fuel.

[0005] State of the Art

[0006] Semitrailers are defined as load boxes that are used to transport loads, that have tires, that do not have an engine, or that are moved by being attached to a motor vehicle. Vehicles with trailers that are sized according to the type and amount of cargo transported meet different needs for domestic or international road transportation.

[0007] Semitrailer types, divided into general groups such as raft, lowbed, trailer and curtainside, offer the opportunity to transport different product groups or products of different sizes in road transportation. Raft semitrailer is a type of trailer produced without side and top covers so that high products can be loaded and transported from any point. Lowbed trailers are trailers produced without side and top covers, such as raft trailers. The difference between lowbed trailers and raft semitrailers is that they enable the transportation of high weight products without any restrictions on the size of the product to be transported in terms of height or width. Trailers are the name given to vehicles that are generally formed by pulling the semitrailer part attached to the back of the carrier vehicle with the carrier vehicle. The trailer forms the basis of classical trailer systems. In trailers, systems consisting of two semitrailers parts, front and rear, are used. Semitrailer transportation vehicles using a single semitrailer are generally called trucks. Trailer sizes and carrying capacities are also designed in various sizes according to need. Curtainsider semitrailers are vehicles that can carry loads such as dry loads, package loads, palletized loads or bulk loads that need to be transported with a closed trailer, and also allow products to be loaded onto the trailer from the side. In addition to the fact that semitrailers can be loaded from the rear by opening the cover under normal conditions, product can be loaded from the side by completely opening the curtainsider on the side. Curtainsider semitrailer is a metal roof frame built on the chassis and a curtainsider placed on it. Transporting more than one product in the form of pallets or parcels, or transporting cargo products in the form of open boxes, is prohibited for security reasons on international routes. Vehicles with curtainsider semitrailers can be opened from the side of the vehicle during customs controls for the transportation of customs-bonded goods in international land transportation, allowing the controls to be completed more easily and quickly.

[0008] Vehicles with curtainsider semitrailers have an upper frame that allows the semitrailer to be opened and closed from the side on body structure. This frame ensures that the loads carried during driving remain stable inside the semitrailer, while preventing the loads from being thrown away during turns and unevenness on the road surface. The semitrailer is made closed with the til placed over the frame. The frame consists of slats arranged parallel to each other or slats placed perpendicular to each other on the side walls. The gaps between the slats are covered with a curtainsider. The curtainsider has a curtain structure that can be opened and closed and is fixed on the vehicle with fasteners such as ropes.

[0009] Vehicle designs are made to prevent vehicles moving on the highway from being affected by air resistance. The general aim of these designs is to minimise the effect of air resistance caused by friction while the vehicle moves at a certain speed. The aerodynamic structure of vehicles is created by the combination of parts designed to expose the vehicle to the least air resistance. Aerodynamic design not only makes vehicles more balanced, but also plays a big role in fuel consumption. It depends on a coefficient called aerodynamic efficiency, which is calculated with certain parameters. With vehicles designed to increase this efficiency, the vehicle moving on the highway will be less affected by the air resistance it encounters due to speed, resulting in fuel savings. An aerodynamic effect is observed due to air flow on the vehicle travelling on the highway. With this effect, the curtainsider sticks to the slats forming the frame and creates a mark, and with this mark, air resistance occurs on the vehicle. This air resistance, which is opposite to the aerodynamic effect, causes the vehicle to consume excessive fuel.

[0010] The patent file titled 'Automated curtainsider that enables closing and opening of trucks, semitrailers, truck beds and open areas', numbered "TR201105620", which is in the state of the art, was reviewed. In the abstract of the invention that is the subject of the application, the information that reads “Automated curtainsider enables the truck, semitrailer, truck bed and open area to be closed and opened by moving forwards and backwards on the sled bed, under the protection of the sled placed on the intermediate panels, and by means of the gear that moves on the reel and rack gear connected to the reel shaft. With its portable detachable parts, the practicality of assembly and disassembly in a short time is provided by the profile erection, profile horizontal erection, profile erection support and interconnection piece, and the interconnection screw, interconnection nut and fixed panel parts that enable their assembly and disassembly. It also has the ability to work manually and digitally. By means of its single and double motors running on battery current, it offers automatic operation by digital intervention via remote or panel control. The automated curtainsider mechanism system is applied to areas of use with ease of installation by increasing the function of closed areas, ensuring their safety, and highlighting time saving and effectiveness.” is given.

[0011] The patent file numbered "JP2001039165A" and titled 'Roof Structure Attached To Platform Of Truck', which is in the state of the art, was reviewed. The invention that is the subject of the application comprises movable doors attached to the frame of a truck bed, a frame that can be mounted on the right and left side of the frame to form an attachable / detachable roof, and a structure system in which the movable doors can be gathered towards the front of the body when it is desired to open the body.

[0012] The patent file numbered "US6315514B1" and titled 'Adjustable bow lift apparatus for a module truck', which is in the state of the art, was reviewed. In the invention that is the subject of the application, a lift system with slats placed from above is mentioned in order to easily place high products into the semitrailer. The aim of the invention

[0013] The most important aim of the invention is to provide fuel saving with an aerodynamic upper frame for curtainsider semitrailers.

[0014] Another aim of the invention is that the cargo volume of the trailer will not be affected with the new frame structure designed. Thus, there is no need to reduce the amount of product or load to be transported.

[0015] Another aim of the invention is to ensure that the upper frame system does not compromise structural strength. While it prevents the transported products from being scattered around, it does not prevent the vehicle from moving steadily on the road.

[0016] Another aim of the invention is to reduce weight while providing strength with the material selected for the slats used in the upper frame. In this way, it also contributes to fuel economy as no additional weight is affected by the frame.

[0017] Description of the drawings

[0018] FIGURE-1 is a drawing showing the frame view of the product that is the subject of the invention, angled from bottom to top, with a flat axle structure with (a) 4 elements, (b) 3 elements and (c) 2 elements.

[0019] FIGURE-2 is a drawing showing the frame view of the product that is the subject of the invention, angled from top to bottom, with a flat axle structure with (d) 4 elements, (e) 3 elements and (f) 2 elements.

[0020] FIGURE-3 is a drawing showing the frame view of the product that is the subject of the invention, angled from bottom to top, with a concave axle structure with (a) 4 elements, (b) 3 elements and (c) 2 elements.

[0021] FIGURE-4 is a drawing showing the frame view of the product that is the subject of the invention, angled from top to bottom, with a concave axle structure with (d) 4 elements, (e) 3 elements and (f) 2 elements. FIGURE-5 is a drawing showing the frame view of the product that is the subject of the invention, angled from bottom to top, with a convex axis structure with (a) 4 elements, (b) 3 elements and (c) 2 elements.

[0022] FIGURE-6 is a drawing showing the frame view of the product that is the subject of the invention, angled from top to bottom, with a convex axis structure with (d) 4 elements, (e) 3 elements and (f) 2 elements.

[0023] FIGURE-7 is a drawing showing the isometry view of the alternative design of the product that is the subject of the invention.

[0024] FIGURE-8 is a drawing showing the side view of the alternative design of the product that is the subject of the invention.

[0025] Reference numbers

[0026] 100. Frame

[0027] 110. Single Axle Sized Flat Axle

[0028] 111. Two-Axle Sized Flat Axle

[0029] 112. Three-Axle Sized Flat Axle

[0030] 120. Single Axle Sized Concave Axle

[0031] 121. Two-Axle Sized Concave Axle

[0032] 122. Three-Axle Sized Concave Axle

[0033] 130. Single Axle Sized Convex Axle

[0034] 131. Two-Axle Sized Convex Axle

[0035] 132. Three-Axle Sized Convex Axle Description of the invention

[0036] The invention is an upper frame (100) structure with alternative axle structures by producing axles with flat, concave and convex shapes with bottom-to-up or top-to- bottom angles, according to different axle sizes, designed in accordance with aerodynamic design in order to save fuel.

[0037] While the vehicle with a curtainsider semitrailer moves on the highway, it encounters air resistance due to the speed of the vehicle. This air resistance moves from the front to the back of the vehicle and causes more fuel consumption due to the friction caused by air resistance on the vehicle. The upper frame (100) structure, which is designed alternatively within the scope of the invention, is designed to be aerodynamic. In this way, the air flow acting on the vehicle moves over the vehicle by creating a trail over the frame (100) covered with a curtainsider. Due to the speed of the vehicle, low pressure occurs around the semitrailer. Due to these low-pressure areas, trails are formed on the curtainsider with air flow depending on the shape of the frame (100). These trails provide aerodynamic direction of the air flow acting on the semitrailer. In this way, air resistance and friction acting on the vehicle are reduced. When the effects on it decrease, the fuel consumption of the vehicle moving on the highway decreases.

[0038] In general, the frame (100) of curtainsider semitrailers consists of rod elements of different lengths positioned perpendicular to each other horizontally and vertically. A standard curtainsider semitrailer frame (100) consists of 5 vertical rods and 3 to 5 horizontal rods. In this standard frame (100) configuration, the curtainsider sticks to the frame (100) and creates trails, and since these trails do not reduce the effect of air resistance, they increase fuel consumption. Within the scope of the invention, a frame (100) with aerodynamic effect has been designed to reduce fuel consumption. In this frame (100) configuration, aerodynamic design has been achieved by using axles with straight, concave and convex shapes. Of the 5 vertical rods in a standard design, the remaining 3 were removed and single, two or three-axle sized flat, concave or convex axles were placed, creating triangle-style gaps and creating triangle-style trails on the curtainsider. The horizontal rods of the frame (100) are positioned on the inside of the vertical rods. In this way, the curtainsider only comes into contact with the vertical rods and the trails of the vertical rods appear on the curtainsider. With the frame (100) designed using axles with these shapes, there is no loss in the carrying and strength properties of the semitrailer. The flat, concave or convex rods of the design can be removed and installed during loading and unloading. The material chosen for the rods is chosen from aluminium alloys or lighter materials, which not only provides strength but also contributes to fuel economy as the weight of the frame (100) structure is reduced.

[0039] It has been calculated that 2%-5% fuel saving is achieved with the 18 aerodynamically designed frame (100) structures designed within the scope of the invention. These calculations were made based on the power requirement obtained by evaluating the drag and lift coefficients, which define the air resistance that vehicles are exposed to at speeds of 100-120 km / h, in the vehicle motion equation as a result of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The frame (100) has 18 alternatives depending on fuel economy and usage area. These are explained in the figures as follows;

[0040] Figure-1 shows the frame (100) formed by placing flat axles in two opposite corners with different axle lengths and angling them from bottom to top. Figure-1 a shows the frame (100) designed with single axle sized flat axles (1 10), with the flat axles angling from bottom to top to opposite corners along an axis. Figure-1 b shows the frame (100) designed with two-axle sized flat axles (11 1 ), with the straight axles angling from bottom to top to opposite corners along the two axes. Figure-1 c shows the frame (100) designed with three-axle sized flat axles (1 12), with the flat axles angling from bottom to top to opposite corners along the three axes.

[0041] In Figure-2, which is the angle alternative of Figure-1 , the frames (100) formed by placing the flat axes in two opposite corners along different axle lengths and angling them from top to bottom are shown. Figure-2d shows the frame (100) designed with single axle-sized flat axles (110), with the flat axles angling from top to bottom to opposite corners along an axis. Figure-2e shows the frame (100) designed with two- axle sized flat axles (1 1 1 ), with the straight axles angling from bottom to top to opposite corners along the two axes. Figure-2f shows the frame (100) designed with three-axle sized flat axles (1 12), with the flat axles angling from bottom to top to opposite corners along the three axes. Figure-3 shows the frames (100) formed by placing concave axes in two opposite corners with different axle lengths and angling them from bottom to top. Figure-3a shows the frame (100) designed with single axle sized concave axles (120), with the axes having a concave structure angling from bottom to top to opposite corners along an axis. Figure-3b shows the frame (100) designed with two-axle sized concave axles (121 ), with the concave axles angling from bottom to top to opposite corners along the two axes. Figure-3c shows the frame (100) designed with three-axle sized concave axles (122), with the axes having a concave structure angling from bottom to top to opposite corners along three axes.

[0042] In Figure-4, which is the angle alternative of Figure-3, the frames (100) formed by placing concave axes in two opposite corners along different axle lengths and angling them from bottom to top are shown. Figure-4d shows the frame (100) designed with single axle sized concave axles (120), with the concave axles angling from top to bottom to opposite corners along an axis. Figure-4e shows the frame (100) designed with two-axle sized concave axles (121 ), with the concave axles angling from top to bottom to opposite corners along the two axes. Figure-4f shows the frame (100) designed with three-axle sized concave axles (122), with the axes having a concave structure angling from top to bottom to opposite corners along three axes.

[0043] Figure-5 shows the frames (100) formed by placing convex axes in two opposite corners with different axle lengths and angling them from bottom to top. Figure-5a shows the frame (100) designed with single axle sized convex axles (130), with the axes having a convex structure angling from bottom to top to opposite corners along an axis. Figure-5b shows the frame (100) designed with two-axle sized convex axles (131 ), with the concave axles angling from bottom to top to opposite corners along the two axes. Figure-5c shows the frame (100) designed with three-axle sized convex axles (132), with the axes having a convex structure angling from bottom to top to opposite corners along three axes.

[0044] In Figure-6, which is the angle alternative of Figure-5, the frames (100) formed by placing the axes with a convex structure in two opposite corners along different axle lengths and angling them from top to bottom are shown. Figure-6d shows the frame (100) designed with single axle sized convex axles (130), with the convex axles angling from top to bottom to opposite corners along one axis. Figure-6e shows the frame (100) designed with two-axle sized convex axles (131 ), with the convex axles angling from top to bottom to opposite corners along the two axes. Figure-6f shows the frame (100) designed with three-axle sized convex axles (132), with the axes having a convex structure angling from top to bottom to opposite corners along three axes.

[0045] While Figure-7 shows the design of the frame (100) formed by placing two axle sized convex axes (131 ), Figure-8 shows the frame (100) design formed by placing single axle sized concave axes (120).

Claims

CLAIMS1. Superstructure frame for creating fuel-saving aerodynamic trails in curtainsider semitrailers (100), wherein axles with flat, concave or convex shapes comprise vertical rods and horizontal rods positioned in one, two or three dimensions in a way that angles from opposite corners from bottom to top or top to bottom and creates a gap.

2. Superstructure (100) for creating fuel-saving aerodynamic trails in curtainsider semitrailers in accordance with Claim 1 , comprising horizontal rods positioned on the inside of vertical rods.

3. Superstructure (100) for creating fuel-saving aerodynamic trails in curtainsider semitrailers in accordance with Claim 1 , comprising horizontal rods and vertical rods that can be attached and removed.

4. Superstructure (100) for creating fuel-saving aerodynamic trails in curtainsider semitrailers in accordance with Claim 1 , wherein vertical and horizontal rods are made of aluminium alloys and / or carbon fibre composite materials.

5. Superstructure (100) for creating fuel-saving aerodynamic trails in curtainsider semitrailers in accordance with Claim 1 , comprising flat axle with single axle size (1 10) or flat axle with two axle size (11 1 ) or flat axle with three axle size (1 12).

6. Superstructure (100) for creating fuel-saving aerodynamic trails in curtainsider semitrailers in accordance with Claim 1 or Claim 5, comprising single axle sized flat axle (1 10) positioned between two vertical rods from opposite corners from bottom to top or top to bottom.

7. Superstructure (100) for creating fuel-saving aerodynamic trails in curtainsider semitrailers in accordance with Claim 1 or Claim 5, comprising two axle-sized flat axles (11 1 ) positioned between three vertical rods from bottom to top or top to bottom from the two opposite corners farthest from each other.

8. Superstructure (100) for creating fuel-saving aerodynamic trails in curtainsider semitrailers in accordance with Claim 1 or Claim 5, comprising three-axle sized flat axle (1 12) positioned between four vertical rods from bottom to top or top to bottom from the two opposite corners farthest from each other.

9. Superstructure (100) for creating fuel-saving aerodynamic trails in curtainsider semitrailers in accordance with Claim 1 , comprising single axle sized concave axle (120), two-axle sized concave axle (121 ) and three-axle sized concave axle (122).

10. Superstructure (100) for creating fuel-saving aerodynamic trails in curtainsider semitrailers in accordance with Claim 1 or Claim 9, comprising single axle sized concave axle (120) positioned between two vertical rods from opposite corners, angled from bottom to top or top to bottom.

11. Superstructure (100) for creating fuel-saving aerodynamic trails in curtainsider semitrailers in accordance with Claim 1 or Claim 9, comprising two axle-sized concave axle (121 ) positioned between three vertical rods from bottom to top or top to bottom from the two opposite corners farthest from each other.^.Superstructure (100) for creating fuel-saving aerodynamic trails in curtainsider semitrailers in accordance with Claim 1 or Claim 9, comprising three-axle sized concave axle (122) positioned between four vertical rods from bottom to top or top to bottom from the two opposite corners farthest from each other.

13. Superstructure (100) for creating fuel-saving aerodynamic trails in curtainsider semitrailers in accordance with Claim 1 , comprising single axle sized convex axle (130), two-axle sized convex axle (131 ) and three-axle sized convex axle (132).^.Superstructure (100) for creating fuel-saving aerodynamic trails in curtainsider semitrailers in accordance with Claim 1 or Claim 13, comprising single axle sized convex axle (130) positioned between two vertical rods from opposite corners from bottom to top or top to bottom.

15. Superstructure (100) for creating fuel-saving aerodynamic trails in curtainsider semitrailers in accordance with Claim 1 or Claim 13, comprising two axle-sized convex axle (131 ) positioned between three vertical rods from bottom to top or top to bottom from the two opposite corners farthest from each other.

16. Superstructure (100) for creating fuel-saving aerodynamic trails in curtainsider semitrailers in accordance with Claim 1 or Claim 9, comprising three-axle sized convex axle (132) positioned between four vertical rods from bottom to top or top to bottom from the two opposite corners farthest from each other.

7. Superstructure (100) for creating fuel-saving aerodynamic trails in curtainsider semitrailers in accordance with Claim 1 , comprising at least three horizontal rods

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