Freewheeling System for Tandem Axles Reducing Fuel Consumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heavy vehicles with tandem or tridem axles face increased running resistance and fuel consumption when unloaded, as existing axle lifting systems are not applicable to tag axles, and there's a need to reduce friction between tires and asphalt without lifting the axle.
Innovation Solution
A freewheeling system for tandem axles that includes an air input mechanism to disengage the axle shaft from the wheel hub, using a spring-loaded sleeve with tines that can be triggered to free the wheel, allowing it to disconnect from the mechanical connection, reducing friction and resistance without lifting the axle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the vehicle uses tandem axles with four contact points for traction, then the loading capacity and performance during loaded movement is improved, but the running resistance and fuel consumption increase when the vehicle is unloaded
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the traction configuration from 6x4 to 6x2 based on loading conditions. When unloaded, the freewheeling mechanism disengages the tag axles from the drive train, allowing wheels to rotate freely without mechanical connection, thereby reducing running resistance and fuel consumption while maintaining loading capacity when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The drive train is segmented into independently controllable units through the freewheeling mechanism. Each tag axle can be selectively engaged or disengaged from the drive train, allowing the vehicle to operate with only the necessary number of driven wheels based on current loading conditions, thus optimizing energy efficiency
2Use of energy by moving object
If the vehicle uses traditional detachment systems for tag axles, then the running resistance is reduced when unloaded, but the system complexity increases and requires axle lifting mechanisms that cannot be used in tag axles
Solution Approach 1:
The freewheeling mechanism is a self-actuating system that automatically engages and disengages based on the presence or absence of load. The mechanism uses the vehicle's own operational conditions (loaded vs. unloaded) to trigger the appropriate configuration without requiring external control systems, sensors, or complex actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential function of reducing running resistance by removing the mechanical connection between the tag axles and the drive train when unloaded, without extracting or requiring the complex axle lifting mechanisms that characterize traditional detachment systems. The wheels remain in contact with the ground while freely rotating without power transmission
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 effectively reduces running resistance and fuel consumption by allowing the axle to freewheel when not in use, minimizing wear and tear on tires and vehicle components, and can be easily installed and adapted to existing tag axle assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
using a spring-loaded sleeve with tines that can be triggered to free the wheel
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a freewheeling system projected to be used in tandem or tridem axles (T), being formed by technical aspects that enable the disengagement and the individualized release of the wheels from the driven axles and, therefore, achieving the reduction in the resistance of the vehicle's running, in order to bring a considerable savings in terms of fuel consumption. More particularly, the present freewheeling system (10) comprises a hub cover (11) that is attached to the end (3) of the wheel hub (1) through fixation means (9) and comprises at least an air input (12) for feeding an actuator chamber (13) within which is accommodated a piston (14) that is engaged to a sleeve (15) concentrically mounted at the end of the axle shaft (5) having axial mobility, wherein said sleeve (15) has a flange (16) provided with tines (16a) that mechanically cooperate with tines (11a) predicted in said wheel hub cover (11). The present invention also addresses a vehicle for loads transportation comprising the freewheeling system for tandem axles of the present invention.