Driven Wheel Trailer for Tugger Train
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tugger train trailers with non-driven wheels require high tractive and braking forces from the towing vehicle, limiting train length and efficiency, especially with increased loads or multiple trailers, as these forces are transmitted through drawbars, which can be unstable and require larger vehicles.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of driven wheels with electric traction drive motors controlled by an electronic device that synchronizes acceleration and braking with the towing vehicle, allowing each trailer to apply its own tractive and braking forces, reducing the burden on the towing vehicle and drawbars.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If non-driven wheels are used in tugger train trailers, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the towing vehicle must provide high tractive and braking forces that increase with train length and load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical passive wheel system with an electrically actuated driven wheel system. Each wheel is equipped with an electric drive motor that can independently generate tractive force and braking force, substituting the mechanical force transmission through drawbars with electrical actuation at each wheel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the force generation function from the central towing vehicle into segmented independent units at each wheel. Each wheel becomes a self-contained module with its own drive motor, electronic control device, and sensor, allowing distributed force generation throughout the train rather than centralized force transmission.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple tugger train trailers are coupled together to increase train length and capacity, then the transport capability increases, but the stability of drawbars and trailers is limited by the forces transmitted through them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical force transmission system through drawbars with independent electric drive systems at each wheel. This eliminates the need for drawbars to transmit tractive and braking forces, allowing trailers to be coupled together without stability limitations from force transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the force generation function to each individual wheel, allowing each trailer to generate its own forces independently. This enables multiple trailers to be coupled together without the cumulative force transmission problems that limit drawbar stability in conventional systems.
3Device complexity
If the towing vehicle provides all tractive and braking forces for the entire train, then the control is centralized and simple, but the towing vehicle size must increase proportionally with train length and load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the force generation function from the central towing vehicle into distributed independent units at each wheel. Each wheel has its own electric drive motor and electronic control device that receives control signals from the towing vehicle, allowing the towing vehicle to remain small while each trailer unit generates its own forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic control system where the towing vehicle sends control signals (acceleration and deceleration commands) to electronic control devices at each wheel, which then independently adjust motor torque in real-time. This dynamic distributed control allows a small towing vehicle to effectively manage a long train with multiple trailers.
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 solution enables longer tugger trains with higher loads to be operated using smaller towing vehicles, improves braking and starting performance, and relieves drawbars of tractive and braking forces, allowing for more efficient and stable operation.
Implementation Method 1
the wheel (4) being in driving connection with an electric drive motor (7)
Implementation Method 2
The electronic control device (8) is operatively connected to a sensor device (9) which detects the acceleration pulse (B) and/or deceleration pulse (V) acting on the tugger train trailer (2a, 2b or 2c)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a route train trailer (2a; 2b; 2c) for a route train (1), wherein the route train trailer (2a; 2b; 2c) has a chassis (3; 3a, 3b) with at least one wheel (4). The wheel (4) is drivingly connected to an electric travel drive motor (7). The electric travel drive motor (7) is controlled by an electronic controller which actuates the travel drive motor (7) depending on an acceleration pulse (B) and/or delay pulse (V) acting on the route train trailer (2a; 2b; 2c).