Articulating Multi-Axle Assembly for Reduced Frame Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing load transport systems face challenges in efficiently moving heavy loads over short distances due to the need for disassembly and reassembly, and they often compromise load stability with increased frame height and vertical center of gravity, which affects stability and requires additional clearance.
Innovation Solution
The axle assembly features a first and second axle operably coupled to an axle mount via articulation structures, with a suspension system forming a rigid connection between them, allowing for upward articulation of the first axle to cause the second axle to articulate down, and vice versa, enabling efficient load movement and reduced frame clearance by retracting wheels into the load bearing frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a substantially vertical hydraulic cylinder is connected directly to the load bearing frame at a position above the axle assembly, then the axle assembly can be adjusted relative to the frame, but additional frame height and clearance are required, which increases the vertical center of gravity and affects load stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical hydraulic cylinder arrangement to a horizontal articulation structure. The articulation structure allows the axle assembly to move horizontally relative to the frame rather than requiring vertical space, thereby reducing frame height while maintaining adjustment capability. This dimensional change resolves the contradiction by eliminating the need for additional frame height that compromised load stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulation structure serves as an intermediary mechanism between the frame and axle assembly, replacing the direct vertical connection. This intermediary enables relative movement while maintaining a lower center of gravity, thus preserving load stability while achieving the required adjustability.
2Productivity
If heavy loads are transported by disassembling or breaking up the load bearing frame into multiple smaller sections, then the loads can be moved, but the break-down and reassembly process is very time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic articulation structure that allows the axle assembly to be repositioned relative to the frame without disassembling the load bearing frame. The articulation connections enable the axle assembly to move between extended and retracted positions while maintaining structural integrity, eliminating the time-consuming breakdown and reassembly process while preserving transport capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the axle assembly is configured to move heavy loads over small distances in incremental stages, then repositioning is enabled, but the device complexity increases with multiple articulation structures and suspension systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the axle assembly into separable components connected by articulation structures, allowing incremental repositioning. The articulation connections enable each component to move independently while maintaining overall structural coherence, achieving repositioning capability through controlled segmentation rather than complete disassembly.
Data Source
AI summary
An axle assembly for transporting a load bearing frame includes a first axle operably coupled to an axle mount of the load bearing frame by a first articulation structure, and a second axle spaced a distance from the first axle and operably coupled to the axle mount by a second articulation structure. The first articulation structure is rotationally coupled to the axle mount by a first articulation connection, and the second articulation structure is rotationally coupled to the axle mount by a second articulation connection. A suspension system is operably coupled to both the first articulation structure and the second articulation structure. In a first mode of operation, the suspension system forms a substantially rigid connection between the first articulation structure and the second articulation structure. In response to an upward articulation of the first articulation structure towards the load bearing frame, the substantially rigid connection causes the second articulation structure to articulate down and away from the load bearing frame. In a second mode of operation, the suspension system articulates both the first articulation structure and the second articulation structure towards the load bearing frame.