Curved Fifth Wheel Trailer Chassis Turning Radius
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fifth wheel trailers often have restricted turning radii due to their design, which can lead to contact with the truck cab during sharp turns, especially when towed by short bed trucks, and this requires complex chassis designs to mitigate the issue.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a curved or angled forward surface on the trailer body with a simplified yet stable chassis structure that includes a combination of side frame beams, a curved forward edge beam, and additional cross and longitudinal beams to support the elevated front portion, allowing for improved turning without compromising structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional fifth wheel trailer design is used with a straight front body, then the chassis construction is simple, but the turning radius is restricted and the trailer may contact the truck cab during sharp turns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the front body of the trailer by replacing the conventional straight front edge with a curved or angled forward surface. This curved design allows the trailer to achieve a tighter turning radius without the front body contacting the truck cab during sharp turns, thereby improving maneuverability while maintaining structural integrity through the curved geometry
2Ease of operation
If the turning radius is improved with a curved front body, then the trailer can turn sharply without contacting the truck cab, but the chassis construction becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the chassis into modular components including side frame beams, cross beams, and a curved forward edge beam that supports the curved front body. This segmentation allows the complex curved structure to be manufactured and assembled from separate, manageable parts, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining the improved turning radius
3Ease of operation
If a short bed truck is used to tow the fifth wheel trailer, then the vehicle is more maneuverable, but the turning radius restriction is exacerbated and contact with the cab is more likely
Solution Approach 1:
The curved or angled forward surface of the trailer body creates additional clearance space between the front of the trailer and the truck cab during sharp turns. This curved geometry effectively increases the available turning space, allowing short bed trucks to tow the trailer with improved maneuverability without risking contact between the trailer and cab
Data Source
AI summary
A fifth wheel trailer of the type designed to be towed with a towing vehicle having a vehicle hitch assembly includes a trailer body having an elevated front portion, and a mounting arrangement extending downward from beneath the front portion. The front portion of the trailer body has a generally convex forward surface. The trailer further includes a trailer chassis supporting the trailer body. The trailer chassis includes a forward portion supporting the front portion of the trailer body. The forward portion of the trailer chassis has a pair of side frame beams that extend along the sides of the trailer chassis. The forward portion of the trailer chassis includes a curved forward edge beam that is joined to the forward ends of the pair of side frame beams. The curved forward edge beam generally matches the curve of the front portion of the trailer body and provides support for the trailer body.