Front Tow Extended Saddle for Forward-Facing Truck Towing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for towing trucks, such as rear-facing towing, result in aerodynamic stress, increased wind resistance, and additional costs due to the need for bracing and buttressing, while also limiting route options and affecting fuel economy.

Innovation Solution

A front tow extended saddle system that allows for the forward-facing towing of trucks, minimizing aerodynamic stress and wind resistance by maintaining the trucks' normal direction of travel, with a design that includes adjustable and rotatable components to accommodate different vehicle configurations and axle lengths, and features like tie-down assemblies and a collapsible structure for efficient transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If rear-facing towing is used, then the towing method is simple, but aerodynamic stress and wind resistance increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetowing method simplicityVSAvoidaerodynamic stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional rear-facing towing arrangement by implementing front-facing towing. The towed vehicle's front end faces forward in the direction of travel, which maintains proper aerodynamic orientation and reduces wind resistance and aerodynamic stress on the vehicle structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Length of stationary object

If the towed vehicle is lifted vertically, then the horizontal distance is minimized, but vertical height increases and route options are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehorizontal distanceVSAvoidvertical height

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from vertical lifting to horizontal towing by extending the saddle structure forward. This dimensional change allows the towed vehicle to be positioned horizontally in front of the towing vehicle rather than being lifted vertically, maintaining low profile for route flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Strength

If the saddle structure is fixed and non-collapsible, then structural strength is maintained, but transport and storage efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesaddle structural strengthVSAvoidtransport efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The saddle structure is divided into collapsible segments that can be folded together. This segmentation allows the strong structural components to be disassembled and compacted for efficient transport and storage, then reassembled when needed for towing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Stability of the object's composition

If the towing equipment is specialized and non-adjustable, then the towing stability is improved, but adaptability to different vehicle configurations decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetowing stabilityVSAvoidvehicle configuration adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The towing equipment incorporates adjustable and rotatable components that can be dynamically reconfigured for different vehicle types and axle positions. This dynamic adaptability maintains stable towing through proper alignment while accommodating various vehicle configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9114677B2Front tow extended saddle

Publication Date: 2015.08.25 ATC TRANSPORTATION LLC

AI summary

A front tow saddle including a tie-down assembly for connecting with one or both of the spring and spring shackle of a towed truck.