Hydraulic Slider Gap Adjustment for Tractor-Trailer Aerodynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sliders for tractor-trailer systems require manual adjustment of the gap between the tractor and trailer, which is time-consuming and physically demanding, and cannot be adjusted during driving, leading to issues with aerodynamic vortices, fuel consumption, and potential collisions during sudden braking or maneuvers.
Innovation Solution
A motor-driven hydraulic cylinder system connected to a hydraulic circuit allows for adaptive adjustment of the gap between the tractor and trailer during driving, using a feedback control operation to rapidly change the position of the fifth wheel, with a hydraulic pump and control valve enabling quick responses to changing driving conditions, including panic braking scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the gap between tractor and trailer is made small to reduce aerodynamic vortices and fuel consumption, then air drag is reduced, but the risk of collision during curves or braking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the gap dimension dynamically adjustable during operation. The fifth wheel can be displaced along the guide rail to change the gap size between tractor and trailer. This allows the system to adapt the gap to optimal values for different driving conditions - small for reducing aerodynamic drag during normal driving, and large for preventing collisions during curves or emergency braking maneuvers.
2Device complexity
If manual adjustment of the slider is used to change the gap dimension, then the mechanism is simple, but the operation is time-consuming and physically demanding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment system with an automated motor-driven drive unit. This motor-driven unit automatically positions the fifth wheel along the guide rail to achieve the desired gap dimension, eliminating the need for manual operation. This substitution reduces physical effort and time required for adjustment while maintaining the mechanical simplicity of the overall system.
3Reliability
If the gap is adjusted to be large to prevent collisions, then safety is improved, but aerodynamic vortices increase and fuel consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the gap dimension based on driving conditions. During normal driving on straight roads, the gap is reduced to minimize aerodynamic vortices and fuel consumption. When curves or emergency situations are detected, the gap is increased to prevent collisions. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize both fuel efficiency and safety at different times.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the slider mechanism is locked securely to maintain position, then stability is improved, but the adjustment speed during emergency braking is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism operates periodically - locked during normal operation to maintain stable gap positioning, and unlocked when emergency braking or curve detection occurs to allow rapid adjustment. This periodic switching between locked and unlocked states enables the system to maintain both stability during normal driving and rapid responsiveness during emergency situations.
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
Enables quick and efficient adjustment of the gap between the tractor and trailer, reducing aerodynamic vortices and enhancing safety by allowing rapid expansion of the gap during sudden braking, thus improving driving stability and reducing driver strain.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic circuit (8) coordinated in terms of its dimensions to the hydraulic cylinder (9) and which provides an adequate operating pressure for a panic braking in a time under 1 second in every driving situation
Data Source
AI summary
A slider for a fifth wheel is arranged on a towing vehicle, comprising a substructure with at least two guide rails aligned in the direction of travel, a displaceable slide carrying the fifth wheel and acting upon the guide rails, and a motor-driven drive unit. A slider is provided which allows the gap width between the towing vehicle and the trailer being adapted to the respective driving situation during travel. For this purpose, the slider is characterized in that the motor-driven drive unit is configured from a hydraulic cylinder connected to a hydraulic circuit.