Folding Aerodynamic Fairings for Trailer Rear Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerodynamic rear fairings on trailers often obstruct the rear doors, requiring users to manually operate and fold them for loading/unloading, which is inconvenient and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An aerodynamic rear drag reduction system with a folding mechanism that automatically moves side and top panels between fully-deployed and fully-stowed positions in sync with the trailer's door locking mechanism, allowing seamless access and reducing drag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If rear fairings are installed to reduce aerodynamic drag, then fuel efficiency is improved, but manual operation of fairings is required for loading/unloading which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The fairing system transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one that automatically changes configuration. The fairings are coupled to the door locking mechanism through linkage assemblies, enabling them to automatically deploy when doors are locked and retract when doors are unlocked, eliminating manual operation while maintaining aerodynamic benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The fairing system performs its own deployment and retraction operations without external manual intervention. By connecting the fairings to the door locking mechanism, the system uses the door operation itself to trigger fairing movement, making the fairings self-adjusting based on loading/unloading cycles
2Object-generated harmful factors
If fairings extend rearwardly to streamline airflow, then aerodynamic drag is reduced, but device complexity increases due to folding mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The fairing deployment mechanism is merged with the existing door locking mechanism of the trailer. The linkage assemblies connect the fairing support arms to the door lock, combining two functions (door securing and fairing deployment) into a single integrated system, thereby reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The door locking mechanism serves dual purposes: it secures the trailer doors and simultaneously controls the deployment of aerodynamic fairings. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate actuation systems, reducing complexity while maintaining aerodynamic performance
Data Source
AI summary
An aerodynamic rear drag reduction system of the present disclosure is configured to be coupled to a rear frame assembly of a trailer including a rear frame and a rear swing door. The drag reduction system includes a side panel configured to be coupled to the rear swing door to extend generally vertically at least partially along a height of the trailer; and a folding mechanism coupled to the side panel. The folding mechanism moves the side panel between (i) a fully-deployed position wherein the side panel is configured to extend generally rearwardly away from the rear end of the trailer and (ii) a fully-stowed position wherein an inner surface of at least a portion of the side panel is configured to lie generally adjacent the rear swing door. The folding mechanism is configured to be coupled to a door locking mechanism of the trailer for movement therefrom.