Foldable Trailer Offset Axle for Lowerable Deck Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trailers with rear axles lack the ability to angle their decks for easy loading and unloading of items, and they require significant storage space, deterring many from purchasing them due to space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A foldable trailer design featuring a deck with a rear offset axle and a lever arm system that allows the deck to transition between a raised and lowered position, enabling angling and compact storage, utilizing an offset axle assembly with a central rod and axle attachment components for rotation and stabilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a trailer uses a conventional rear axle design, then the structure is simple and stable, but the deck cannot be angled for easy loading and unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The axle assembly is divided into separate functional components: a stationary main axle for support and a movable offset axle connected via lever arm for deck angulation. This segmentation allows the deck to be angled independently without compromising the stability of the main support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The offset axle assembly is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to transition between horizontal and angled positions. The lever arm mechanism enables dynamic adjustment of the deck angle while maintaining structural integrity through the connection to the central rod.
2Ease of operation
If a trailer requires significant storage space, then it provides stable support and loading capacity, but it cannot be easily stored in limited spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The deck is divided into foldable sections connected by hinges, allowing it to be collapsed into a compact configuration for storage while maintaining full size and load-bearing capacity when deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The trailer incorporates movable components including the offset axle assembly and foldable deck sections that can transition between extended operational positions and compact storage positions, enabling adaptability to different space requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the deck is kept in a raised position for compact storage, then storage space is reduced, but loading and unloading items becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The offset axle assembly with lever arm provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the deck to be lowered to ground level for easy loading and unloading, then raised to a compact position for storage when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever arm mechanism is designed to be manually operable, allowing the user to lower and raise the deck without requiring additional power sources or complex mechanical systems, making the angulation function self-contained and user-friendly.
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 solution provides a compact, space-efficient trailer that can be easily maneuvered and used for loading/unloading items, addressing storage space concerns and enhancing usability by allowing deck angulation.
Implementation Method 1
a lever arm coupled with the rear offset axle, wherein when the lever arm is in a first position, the deck is in a raised position relative to a surface on which the at least one wheel rests, and when the lever arm is in a second position, the deck is in a lowered position relative to a surface on which the at least one wheel rests
Implementation Method 2
a hinge coupling the first portion and the second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are transitionable between a flat configuration and a folded configuration
Implementation Method 3
an offset axle surrounding the central rod such that the central rod can rotate about a longitudinal axis within the offset axle
Data Source
AI summary
A folding trailer having a deck which can be raised and lowered to facilitate mounting and dismounting a vehicle or other item from the deck. The rear axle of the trailer is configured with a pivoting offset axle which enables raising and lowering of the deck relative to the rear support wheels.