Fifth Wheel System Weight Reduction via Integrated Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fifth wheel systems for heavy commercial towing vehicles are excessively heavy and have a high connection height, compromising both weight and rigidity, which are critical for efficient load distribution and safety.
Innovation Solution
A fifth wheel system comprising a wheel coupling with a corrugated base, a shock absorber, and an H-profile cross connected via suspension brackets, eliminating the need for mounting plates, L brackets, and pedestals to achieve a lighter and more rigid structure while minimizing the connection height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If mounting plates, L brackets and pedestals are used to strengthen the fifth wheel connection, then the rigidity and strength of the connection is improved, but the overall weight of the system increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of multiple separate components (mounting plate, L brackets, pedestals) into an integrated fifth wheel assembly. The wheel coupling is directly mounted to the chassis arm through a unified structure, eliminating the need for separate connection elements while maintaining structural integrity and load-bearing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes unnecessary intermediate components from the traditional fifth wheel system. By extracting the mounting plate, L brackets and pedestals, the design achieves weight reduction while preserving the essential connection function through a simplified direct-mount structure.
2Reliability
If traditional components are used to ensure secure connection, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the connection height increases and cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates intermediate components such as mounting plates and brackets that contribute to increased connection height. By removing these elements, the fifth wheel can be positioned lower on the chassis arm while maintaining secure connection through the integrated mounting structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If heavy casted pedestals are used to support the wheel coupling, then the structural stability is improved, but the weight of the system increases by 200-210 kilograms
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the heavy casted pedestals from the system. Instead, the wheel coupling is directly supported by the chassis arm through an integrated mounting structure, achieving structural stability without the additional weight of separate pedestal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The support function previously provided by separate pedestals is merged into the unified fifth wheel assembly and chassis arm connection, eliminating the need for additional support components while maintaining structural stability.
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 reduces the overall weight of the fifth wheel system while maintaining rigidity, allowing for lower positioning of the fifth wheel closer to the chassis flange, enhancing load distribution and reducing the risk of structural bending and dislocation.
Implementation Method 1
The rigidity of the mounting plate is generally provided by the corrugated forms that are produced on the plate, and thus the resistances of the wheel coupling to the bending and breaking increase
Implementation Method 2
a shock absorber which is connected to the wheel coupling and which dampens the dynamic loads stemming from the trailer to the wheel coupling
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a fifth wheel system (1) which enables the trailer to be connected to the chassis of the towing vehicle in vehicles of heavy commercial towing type, the weight of which is reduced, and at the same time the rigidity of which is preserved, and which can be designed at lower heights than its present state.