End-of-Trailer Fairing With Flexible Attachment Against Detachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer fairings suffer from aerodynamic inefficiencies due to inadequate attachment mechanisms, leading to potential detachment and increased drag, especially when primary attachment methods like adhesive or tape fail.
Innovation Solution
A flexible attachment member, such as a strap or cable, is integrated within the fairing interior to provide a secondary mechanism of attachment, securing the fairing to the trailer via external brackets, ensuring retention even if primary attachment fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If adhesive or tape is used as the primary attachment mechanism for the fairing, then the fairing can be easily installed and initially secured to the trailer, but the attachment reliability deteriorates when the adhesive or tape fails under aerodynamic loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a flexible attachment member (strap or cable) as a backup attachment mechanism that is pre-installed within the fairing structure. This backup mechanism is designed to engage with brackets on the trailer, providing a safety net that prevents complete fairing detachment if the primary adhesive attachment fails under aerodynamic loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-attachment-mode system (adhesive only) to a dual-attachment-mode system by introducing a flexible attachment member that can engage with brackets. This changes the attachment parameter from purely chemical adhesion to a combination of chemical adhesion and mechanical restraint, significantly improving reliability while maintaining ease of installation.
2Reliability
If the fairing is securely attached to prevent detachment, then aerodynamic performance is maintained, but the complexity of the attachment system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible attachment member is nested within the fairing structure itself, integrated into the design rather than being a separate external component. The strap or cable is positioned inside the fairing body and connects to engagement points, allowing the attachment function to be built into the fairing's own structure and minimizing additional external hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible attachment member in the form of a strap or cable that can bend and conform within the fairing structure. This flexible element provides reliable mechanical attachment while maintaining a simple, lightweight design that integrates smoothly with the fairing's overall form factor.
Data Source
AI summary
A fairing includes a right end, a left end, a main portion extend therebetween, a support member, and a flexible attachment member. The main portion defines a fairing interior and includes a right end wall and a left end wall. The right end wall connects to the right end, and the left ed wall connects to the left end. The support member is within the fairing interior and extends between the right end wall and the left end wall. The flexible attachment member is threaded through a passage of the support member and is connected to and extends between the right end wall and the left end wall.