Dynamic Air Cushion for Trailer Gap Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air guiding solutions for the gap between towing and trailer vehicles are either high-maintenance, require significant compressor capacity, or suffer from damage during adjustment and operation, leading to inefficiencies in airflow and potential brake system failures.
Innovation Solution
An air guiding element featuring a flexible, airtight air cushion that adjusts dynamically with speed, using the dynamic pressure to inflate and collapse, and is designed to fit seamlessly around the vehicle's cross-sectional contour, with a non-return valve and support clips for stability and maneuverability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a minimum gap width is maintained between towing vehicle and trailer vehicle, then collision risk during cornering and braking is reduced, but airflow turbulence and fuel consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air cushion is designed to be dynamically adjustable, allowing the gap to be sealed during straight driving to reduce turbulence, while automatically maintaining the minimum safety distance during cornering and braking maneuvers through relative movement between the towing vehicle and trailer
Solution Approach 2:
The air cushion changes its physical state (inflated/deflated) based on driving conditions, transforming from a rigid seal during normal driving to a flexible buffer during maneuvers, thus optimizing both aerodynamics and safety
2Loss of energy
If air guiding elements are adjusted before departure to cover the gap, then airflow turbulence is reduced, but the structure becomes complex and requires manual adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The air cushion automatically adjusts itself based on driving conditions without manual intervention. During straight driving, it inflates to seal the gap; during cornering or braking, it deflates to maintain safety clearance, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical adjustment system is replaced by a pneumatic system that uses air pressure differential to automatically control the air cushion's inflation state, simplifying the overall structure while improving functionality
3Loss of energy
If air guiding elements are made rigid to maintain shape, then aerodynamic efficiency is improved, but damage occurs during impact with trailer
Solution Approach 1:
The air cushion is constructed as a flexible pneumatic structure that can deform under impact loads, absorbing collision energy while maintaining its aerodynamic sealing function during normal driving. The flexibility allows it to withstand impacts without structural damage
Solution Approach 2:
The air cushion itself acts as a cushioning element that absorbs impact energy during collisions between the towing vehicle and trailer, preventing damage to both vehicles while maintaining aerodynamic efficiency during straight driving
4Reliability
If compressed air is used to inflate the airbag, then the air guiding element can be stabilized, but the compressor capacity requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The air cushion uses the vehicle's own motion (dynamic pressure) to inflate itself, eliminating the need for a high-capacity compressor. The system converts kinetic energy from vehicle movement into pneumatic pressure, stabilizing the air cushion without additional power requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses dynamic pressure generated by vehicle motion to inflate the air cushion, replacing the need for a mechanical compressor system. This pneumatic approach leverages the vehicle's movement to create the necessary air pressure
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 air guiding element effectively reduces fuel consumption by minimizing airflow turbulence, allows for smooth maneuvering without additional control components, and provides a reliable sealing function while dissipating energy in case of accidents, with minimal maintenance requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The filling channel (6) opens at its front end lying in the direction of travel (F) on an inflow side (25) of the towing vehicle (3).
Implementation Method 2
the air cushion collapses at low speed, in that the internal pressure escapes through the filling channel
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An air guiding element (1) for improved flow over a gap (2) between a tractive vehicle (3) and a trailer vehicle (4) is described, wherein the air guiding element (1) can be mounted on the tractive vehicle (3) or the trailer vehicle (4) and comprises a flexible and airtight air cushion (5) which is connected to a filling channel (6). The invention addresses the problem of providing a largely low-maintenance and operationally safe air guiding element (1), which can be installed independently of the compressed air supply of the tractive vehicle (3), for improved flow over the gap (2) between a tractive vehicle (3) and a trailer vehicle (4). The problem is solved according to the invention by an air guiding element (1) in which the filling channel (6) has an air entry opening (8) oriented in the direction of travel (F) on the side (7) of the filling channel facing away from the air cushion (5), said air entry opening being arranged in such a way that the air cushion (5) is filled exclusively by a dynamic pressure of the relative wind.