Frangible Fifth-Wheel Separation for Semi-Tractor Rollover Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Semi-tractors with attached trailers are more prone to rollovers due to the torque applied by the trailer during high-speed cornering, high winds, or on inclined surfaces, and existing safety systems like antilock brakes and electronic stability control have not significantly reduced the number of rollover accidents.
Innovation Solution
A rollover prevention device with a top and bottom plate connected by frangible fasteners and sensors, including an IMU and controller, which detects impending rollover conditions and separates the trailer from the tractor by detonating fasteners to self-correct the tractor's balance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a semi-trailer is attached to a semi-tractor, then the semi-tractor can transport cargo, but the semi-tractor becomes more prone to rollovers due to the trailer's torque during high-speed cornering, high winds, or on inclined surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of rollover conditions using sensors (IMU, wheel speed, steering angle) before a rollover actually occurs. The controller continuously monitors vehicle state parameters and identifies impending rollover situations, allowing preventive action to be taken before the harmful event happens.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the trailer from the semi-tractor during dangerous conditions by detaching the fifth wheel connection. This separation removes the source of the harmful torque that causes rollovers, allowing the semi-tractor to self-correct and recover from the dangerous situation.
2Ease of operation
If existing safety systems like antilock brakes and electronic stability control are used, then vehicle control is improved, but the number of rollover accidents has not significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Unlike conventional safety systems that try to control the vehicle during a rollover, this invention extracts the trailer from the tractor by detaching the fifth wheel connection. This removes the root cause of the rollover problem rather than attempting to manage the symptoms, significantly reducing rollover accidents.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary separation mechanism between the trailer and tractor that can be activated during dangerous conditions. This intermediary system (including sensors, controller, and detachable fifth wheel connection) mediates the interaction between the trailer and tractor, allowing safe separation when needed.
3Reliability
If the semi-tractor detaches the trailer during a rollover condition, then the tractor can self-correct its balance, but the separation process requires complex frangible fasteners and sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible fasteners are pre-configured with explosive charges that can be activated by the controller when a rollover condition is detected. This preliminary preparation allows rapid separation without requiring complex real-time mechanical operations, reducing the overall complexity of the separation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex mechanical separation mechanisms with an explosive-based separation system. The frangible fasteners use explosive charges to create rapid separation forces, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages, hydraulics, or electronics in the separation process itself.
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 device effectively reduces the risk of semi-tractor rollovers by detaching the trailer during hazardous conditions, leveraging sensor data to predict and respond to rollover threats, thereby enhancing safety.
Implementation Method 1
One or more frangible fasteners couple the top plate to the bottom plate. In response to determining that a rollover condition is satisfied, the controller transmits a control signal to the one or more frangible fasteners to separate the top plate from the bottom plate.
Data Source
AI summary
A rollover prevention device couples a semi-trailer to a semi-tractor. The rollover prevention device comprises a top plate configured to be coupled to the semi-trailer and a bottom plate configured to be coupled to the semi-tractor. One or more frangible fasteners couple the top plate to the bottom plate. The rollover prevention device includes a controller coupled to one or more sensors, with the controller configured to determine a roll angle and a roll rate of the rollover prevention device. In response to determining the roll angle and/or the roll rate satisfy a rollover condition, the controller transmits a control signal to separable fasteners, which separate in response to the control signal allowing the top plate to detach from the bottom plate.