Dump Trailer Hydraulic Stabilization for Rollover-Prone Unloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semi-trailer trucks with dump trailers face rollover risks when unloading cargo at unstable locations, particularly in agriculture fields during quick-turn planning events, due to the sudden weight shift causing the wheels to compact loose fill and lead to unexpected movement.
Innovation Solution
The dump trailer system includes a chassis plane defined by coplanar axles, a tub with left and right walls, a draft arm assembly, and independent hydraulic cylinders that control the tub's movement, allowing for controlled unloading and stabilization by adjusting the cylinder lengths to maintain perpendicularity with the ground, reducing the risk of rollover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the tub is raised quickly to unload cargo, then productivity is improved, but stability deteriorates causing rollover risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the hydraulic cylinder system adjustable and controllable. The independent control of left and right hydraulic cylinders allows the system to adapt its operation dynamically, enabling controlled raising speeds that balance productivity with stability prevention during cargo unloading.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of hydraulic cylinder extension speed to resolve the contradiction. By controlling the rate at which the cylinders extend, the system can raise the tub at optimized speeds that maintain trailer stability while still achieving efficient cargo unloading, rather than using maximum speed that causes rollover.
2Device complexity
If hydraulic cylinders are positioned closer to the tub, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to alignment difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces hinge assemblies as intermediary components between the hydraulic cylinders and the tub. These hinges serve as mediators that facilitate precise alignment and connection, allowing the hydraulic cylinders to be positioned optimally while maintaining both low complexity and high manufacturing precision through standardized hinge interfaces.
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
The system effectively stabilizes the dump trailer during unloading, minimizing the risk of rollover events and ensuring safe and efficient cargo discharge even on unstable surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a left hydraulic cylinder defining a left cylinder length, the left hydraulic cylinder may include: a proximal end attached to the left hydraulic cylinder hinge; a distal end oppositely disposed from the proximal end and attached to the left hinge on the tub; and wherein addition of a first amount of fluid changes the left cylinder length
Data Source
AI summary
A dump trailer and system for a semi-trailer truck are disclosed. The dump trailer and system includes a tub, a coupling plate configured to engage the dump trailer to the tractor, a first hydraulic cylinder hinge, and a second hydraulic cylinder that cooperate to improve manufacturing economics and/or dumping of a load carried by the dump trailer.