Collapsible Utility Trailer With Pivotally Connected Vertical Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Camping and RV-related challenges include the inefficiency of gathering and transporting firewood, and the inconvenience of emptying RV waste tanks without moving the RV from the campsite.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible utility trailer with pivotally connected vertical arms and transverse beams allows for efficient loading and unloading of materials, featuring a design that enables easy extension and collapse for increased carrying capacity and versatility in transporting goods to and from a campsite.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional non-collapsible trailer is used, then structural stability is maintained, but storage space and transport efficiency are reduced due to inability to collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer is divided into multiple independent vertical arms that can be individually collapsed or extended. Each vertical arm is a separate component that can be controlled independently, allowing the trailer to be segmented into compact sections for storage or fully extended for use, thus achieving both collapsibility and structural stability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical arms are designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing them to transition between extended and collapsed states. The arms can be dynamically adjusted based on operational needs, providing adaptability when extended and compactness when collapsed, while maintaining structural integrity through proper mechanical design of the articulation joints.
2Productivity
If multiple trips are made for firewood transport, then carrying capacity limits are respected, but time efficiency and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer utilizes vertical space by extending vertical arms upward to create elevated platforms for loading materials. This dimensional approach allows stacking or vertical arrangement of firewood and other materials, dramatically increasing carrying capacity without requiring additional horizontal space, thus reducing the number of trips needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical arms can be nested or stacked when collapsed, maximizing space utilization. When extended, they create multiple levels or platforms that can be utilized for transporting materials simultaneously, effectively increasing the trailer's cargo capacity and reducing trip frequency.
3Ease of operation
If the RV is moved to a dumping station, then waste tanks can be emptied, but convenience and time are reduced due to relocation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible trailer serves as an intermediary device between the RV and the ultimate waste disposal location. Waste materials can be transferred from the RV to the trailer at the campsite, allowing the RV to remain stationary while the trailer is collapsed and transported to the dumping station, thus eliminating the need to move the entire RV.
Solution Approach 2:
The waste tanks are effectively extracted from the RV system by transferring their contents to the separate trailer. This allows the RV to remain in place at the campsite while the trailer, carrying the waste, is transported independently to the dumping station, improving convenience and saving time.
4Quantity of substance
If vertical arms are extended for loading, then carrying capacity increases, but device complexity increases due to additional moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical arms serve multiple functions: they provide structural support when extended, act as loading platforms, and can be collapsed for transport. This multi-functionality justifies the added mechanical complexity, as the same components enable both increased carrying capacity and easy collapsibility for storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical systems for extending and collapsing the vertical arms are integrated into the overall trailer structure. The articulation joints and support mechanisms are combined with the frame and loading platform functions, reducing the need for separate independent systems and managing the overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible trailer that includes a longitudinal beam, a first transverse beam, a second transverse, and a third transverse beam. A first vertical arm is pivotally connected to a first end of the first transverse beam and a second vertical arm is pivotally connected to a second end of the first transverse beam. A third vertical arm is pivotally connected to a first end of the second transverse beam and a fourth vertical arm is pivotally connected to a second end of the second transverse beam. A fifth vertical arm is pivotally connected to a first end of the third transverse beam and a sixth vertical arm is pivotally connected to a second end of the third transverse beam. A first wheel is connected to the fifth vertical arm and a second wheel connected to the sixth vertical arm.