Hydraulic Load Biasing Mechanism for Heavy Haul Trailer Bridging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing auto-shim systems for heavy haul trailers are complex and unreliable due to their electronic components, which fail to effectively adjust ride height in harsh environments, particularly during 'bridging' events where rapid load distribution is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic load biasing mechanism with ride height valves and control valves, operated by mechanical linkage, adjusts the piston's position within the hydraulic cylinder to maintain ride height, using air pressure to extend or retract the piston and manage load distribution across axles, ensuring stability and preventing overloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic sensors and controllers are used to automatically adjust ride height, then the suspension can automatically adapt to different payloads and road conditions, but the reliability decreases due to harsh operating environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic sensors and controllers with a purely mechanical control system. Mechanical linkage connected to the axles directly actuates ride height valves through physical movement, eliminating electronic components that are vulnerable to harsh environments. The mechanical system uses leverage and direct physical connection to sense axle position and control hydraulic fluid flow, achieving automatic adjustment without electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical linkage system is self-actuating based on axle position. When axles move to indicate improper ride height, the linkage automatically triggers the appropriate ride height valve without requiring external sensing or control signals. The system serves itself by using the physical state of the axles to directly control the correction mechanism.
2Reliability
If mechanical linkage is used to control ride height valves, then the system reliability improves in harsh environments, but the device complexity increases due to additional mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical linkage serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a physical connection between axles and control valves, a sensing mechanism for detecting improper ride height, and an actuating mechanism for triggering valve operation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system despite using mechanical elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the sensing and actuating functions into a single integrated mechanical linkage system. The same physical linkage that connects the axles to the control valves also serves to detect improper ride height and trigger the corrective action, merging multiple functions into one cohesive mechanical structure rather than using separate sensors and actuators.
3Stability of the object's composition
If ride height valves are engaged to adjust piston position, then the ride height is maintained within preferred range, but the response time may be delayed due to hydraulic fluid flow requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical linkage is continuously connected and positioned to immediately trigger ride height valves when axles move out of the preferred range. The system is pre-configured with the mechanical connection already in place, so no sensing or signal processing delay occurs - the physical movement of axles directly and immediately actuates the valves through the linkage, enabling rapid response.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical linkage acts as an intermediary that directly transmits the physical movement of axles to the ride height valves without electronic signal processing delays. The linkage provides a direct mechanical pathway that converts axle position changes into immediate valve actuation, bridging the gap between ride height status and corrective action with minimal delay.
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 provides a robust and simple method for maintaining ride height within a preferred range during both stationary and non-stationary operations, preventing potential steering issues during 'bridging' events by rapidly adjusting the load distribution, thus enhancing safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic load biasing mechanism including a hydraulic cylinder having a piston that provides a bias between the trailer and the frame
Implementation Method 2
using air pressure to extend or retract the piston and manage load distribution across axles
Data Source
AI summary
A suspension system is provided comprising at least one ride height valve, when engaged, that allows an air flow to engage a hydraulic control valve such that it initiates either extension or retraction of a hydraulic piston from a cylinder. Extension or retraction of the hydraulic piston causes a booster frame to be bias downwardly or upwardly, respectively. The ride height valve is engaged when a booster axle is at a predetermined distance from the frame.