Adjustable King Pin Assembly for Fifth Wheel Trailer Weight Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional king pin assemblies for fifth wheel trailers are difficult to repair or replace due to complex disassembly requirements, limiting the ability to adjust the king pin position without disconnecting it from the fifth wheel and hindering optimal axle weight distribution and traction.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable king pin assembly featuring a bolster plate with a longitudinally extending slot, an inverted channel member, a locking pin support collar, and a slider bar with locking pin openings, allowing for easy removal and repositioning of the king pin and slider bar using an actuator and springs, enabling adjustment without disconnecting from the fifth wheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the king pin assembly uses a conventional fixed structure, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the king pin position cannot be adjusted, limiting axle weight distribution optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The king pin assembly is divided into separable components: the slider bar with king pin, the bolster plate with slot, and the inverted channel member. This segmentation allows the king pin to be adjusted to different positions along the slot while maintaining structural integrity, resolving the contradiction between adjustability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly transitions from a fixed king pin position to a dynamically adjustable position system. The slider bar can move longitudinally within the inverted channel member along the slot, allowing the king pin position to be changed based on loading conditions, thereby achieving adaptability while maintaining operational simplicity.
2Ease of repair
If the king pin assembly uses a conventional fixed structure, then the manufacturing is simple, but the ability to repair and replace components is difficult requiring significant cutting and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The slider bar and king pin are designed as a separable assembly from the bolster plate and inverted channel member. This segmentation allows the slider bar and king pin to be removed and replaced without cutting or significant disassembly of the main structure, greatly improving ease of repair while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider bar with king pin is extracted as a removable component from the overall assembly. It can be taken out through the opening in the inverted channel member for repair or replacement, eliminating the need for cutting and complex disassembly operations while keeping the manufacturing process straightforward.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the king pin position is fixed relative to the fifth wheel, then the structure is simple, but the driver cannot adjust weights on driving axles and trailer axles to optimize traction and meet legal weight requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The king pin position is made dynamically adjustable along the longitudinal slot in the bolster plate. The driver or operator can slide the slider bar to different positions within the slot and lock it in place, enabling adjustment of weight distribution on driving axles and trailer axles to optimize traction and comply with legal weight requirements, while maintaining ease of operation through a simple sliding and locking mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable king pin assembly for a fifth wheel trailer which includes an adjustable slider bar having a king pin secured thereto. The slider bar and king pin are easily removed from the assembly for repair, maintenance or replacement.