Driven Trailer Clutch Layout for Cross-Country Tractor Grouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tractor-trailer combinations face high costs, reduced space for cargo, and limited efficiency due to the trailer's drive system, which restricts driving speed and cross-country mobility.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an electric traction motor in the trailer with a clutch system, powered by an electrical energy source from the tractor machine via an inverter, allowing for efficient energy use and adjustable driving modes, including freewheeling, to enhance mobility and reduce towing losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the trailer is equipped with a drive system to improve cross-country mobility, then the driving capability is enhanced, but the costs increase and space for cargo is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The energy source (battery) is extracted from the trailer and relocated to the tractor machine. This eliminates the need for heavy batteries in the trailer, reducing weight and cargo space requirements while still enabling the trailer to have a traction motor for improved mobility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The tractor machine's energy source serves dual purposes: it powers both the tractor's own operations and the trailer's traction motor when auxiliary drive is required. This multi-functional approach eliminates redundant energy sources and reduces overall system complexity and cost.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the trailer has its own energy source to enable independent driving, then the driving autonomy is improved, but the weight and space are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The battery (energy source) is extracted from the trailer and positioned in the tractor machine instead. This removes the heavy weight and space requirements from the trailer while maintaining the capability for the trailer to receive electrical energy and operate its traction motor when needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the trailer uses a wheel-hub drive system to improve mobility, then the driving capability is enhanced, but the number of inverters and motors increases costs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having separate inverters and motors at each wheel hub, the system merges the power conversion function into a single inverter located in the tractor machine. This single inverter supplies electrical energy to the trailer's traction motor, significantly reducing the number of expensive components while maintaining driving capability.
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 enhances cross-country mobility, reduces costs by minimizing the number of electric motors and inverters, and allows for high-speed driving while maintaining efficient energy use, thereby improving the overall efficiency and power delivery of the tractor-trailer combination.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electric traction motor, which is designed to apply a driving force to the respective wheels of the at least one driven axle with a driving force
Implementation Method 2
an electric inverter. The trailer has at least one driven axle with respective wheels, at least one clutch and at least one electric traction motor
Data Source
AI summary
A tractor-trailer combination (10) includes a tractor machine (12), a trailer (14; 40; 50; 60; 70; and an inverter (30; 100, 102). The trailer (14; 40; 50; 60; 70; 90) comprises a driven axle (18; 42; 72, 74; 92, 94), a clutch (46; 54, 56; 78; 104, 106), and an electric traction motor (24; 96, 98). The traction motor (24; 96, 98) drives the respective wheels of the driven axle (18; 42; 72, 74; 92, 94) via the clutch (46; 54, 56; 78; 104, 106). The tractor machine (12) comprises an electrical energy source (26) for supplying the traction motor (24; 96, 98) via the inverter (30; 100, 102). In addition, the invention relates to a trailer (14; 40; 50; 60; 70; 90) for a tractor-trailer combination (10).