Double Gooseneck Trailer Deck With Rollers for Easy Payload Unloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flatbed trailers are unable to tilt sufficiently to allow easy removal of payloads due to the back edge contacting the ground before the desired angle is reached, making it difficult to slide or remove the payload from the main section.
Innovation Solution
The trailer design incorporates independently movable main and upper deck portions with extensive roller elements and a connecting frame assembly, allowing for tilting and featuring a tailgate actuation mechanism with bladders and linkages to facilitate easy unloading by enabling the payload to roll off when the deck is tilted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the trailer bed is tilted to allow payload removal, then the payload can be easily unloaded, but the back edge of the trailer contacts the ground before the desired angle is reached
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer bed is divided into two separate deck portions (main deck and upper deck) that can be tilted independently. This segmentation allows the upper deck to be tilted to a greater angle for easy payload removal while the main deck remains at a smaller angle to prevent the back edge from contacting the ground.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting frame assembly employs movable inner and outer frame subassemblies with curved portions that enable dynamic adjustment of the upper deck's tilt angle. This dynamic structure allows the upper deck to achieve a larger tilt angle independent of the main deck's position, resolving the contradiction between payload removal ease and ground contact prevention.
2Ease of operation
If a single deck design is used, then the structure is simple, but the payload cannot be easily removed due to insufficient tilt angle
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer bed is divided into two separate deck portions (main deck and upper deck) that can be tilted independently. This segmentation allows the upper deck to be tilted to a greater angle for easy payload removal while the main deck remains at a smaller angle to prevent the back edge from contacting the ground.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner frame subassembly is nested within the outer frame subassembly, with both coupled at common pivot points. This nested configuration allows the upper deck to achieve independent tilt motion while sharing structural support elements, reducing overall complexity despite the dual-deck design.
3Productivity
If the deck is tilted to a large angle for payload removal, then unloading is efficient, but the back edge of the trailer contacts the ground
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer bed is divided into two separate deck portions (main deck and upper deck) that can be tilted independently. This segmentation allows the upper deck to be tilted to a greater angle for easy payload removal while the main deck remains at a smaller angle to prevent the back edge from contacting the ground.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting frame assembly employs movable inner and outer frame subassemblies with curved portions that enable dynamic adjustment of the upper deck's tilt angle. This dynamic structure allows the upper deck to achieve a larger tilt angle independent of the main deck's position, resolving the contradiction between payload removal ease and ground contact prevention.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design allows for efficient unloading of payloads by enabling the main and upper deck portions to tilt, utilizing rollers to guide the payload off the trailer, thereby overcoming the limitations of conventional flatbed trailers.
Implementation Method 1
The roller elements can be arranged in one or more rows and can be mounted in the main deck surface or the upper deck surface so as to cover a substantial portion of the main deck surface or the upper deck surface
Implementation Method 2
The rollers may allow the trailer to easily unload a payload when at least one of the deck portions is tilted relative to the ground
Implementation Method 3
The actuation assembly can include a linkage assembly that is coupled at one end to the tailgate and at an opposed end to one or more bladders. When the one or more bladders is/are actuated or expanded, the tailgate can be moved into a closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer having a main deck portion having a main deck surface, an upper deck portion having an upper deck surface, a connecting frame assembly, a plurality of rollers elements, and a tailgate. The connecting frame assembly can couple together the main deck portion and the upper deck portion. The roller elements can be arranged in one or more rows and can be mounted in the main deck surface or the upper deck surface so as to cover a substantial portion of the main deck surface or the upper deck surface. The tailgate can be coupled to the main deck portion and can be movable between a closed position and an open position.