All-Wheel Steer Trailer Locking Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing all-wheel steer trailers lack a convenient mechanism to prevent the pivotal movement of the rear axle beam when towing, making it hazardous to move them on roads or highways.
Innovation Solution
An all-wheel steer trailer with a locking assembly that can be selectively positioned to either allow or prevent pivotal movement of the rear axle beam relative to the frame, ensuring safe towing by disengaging the rear axle beam from pivotal movement when connected to a towing vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the rear axle beam is interconnected to the front axle beam via a diagonally extending tie rod to enable all-wheel steering, then the front and rear wheels track one another, but the rear axle beam cannot be prevented from pivoting when the trailer is towed on a highway
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly is designed to be selectively movable between two positions: a first position where the rear axle beam is interconnected to enable all-wheel steering, and a second position where the interconnection is released to prevent pivoting during towing. This dynamic switching capability allows the system to adapt between all-wheel steering mode and safe towing mode, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter of the rear axle beam from a movable state (pivoting enabled for all-wheel steering) to a fixed state (pivoting prevented for safe towing) through the locking assembly. By changing the degree of freedom parameter of the rear axle beam based on operational requirements, the patent resolves the contradiction between needing pivoting capability and needing to prevent pivoting during towing.
2Ease of operation
If the rear axle beam is allowed to pivot freely to enable all-wheel steering maneuverability, then the trailer can navigate tight spaces, but it becomes hazardous to move the trailer along roads or highways
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly is positioned and configured to automatically prevent rear axle beam pivoting when the trailer is being towed, before any hazardous movement can occur. This preliminary safety mechanism ensures that the rear axle beam cannot pivot during towing operations, eliminating the hazard before it can manifest while still allowing full maneuverability when the locking assembly is in the first position.
3Reliability
If a locking assembly is added to prevent rear axle beam pivoting during towing, then towing safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly is designed as a separate, extractable component that can be independently positioned between the rear axle beam and the frame. This extracted safety mechanism can be selectively engaged or disengaged without affecting the core all-wheel steering functionality, adding safety while minimizing impact on the overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An all-wheel steer trailer is disclosed which includes front and rear axle beams which are pivotally mounted, above vertical axes, to the forward and rearward ends of a frame. In normal operation, the front and rear axle beams are interconnected so that the rear axle beam will pivot in an opposite direction to pivotal movement of the front axle beams so that the rear wheels of the trailer will track the front wheels of the trailer as the trailer is being turned. The trailer includes a convenient locking assembly which may be quickly utilized to prevent pivotal movement of the rear axle beam with respect to the frame when it is desired to pull the trailer on a highway or roadway.