Low-Pivot Drawbar Towing Layout for Steerable Heavy Machine Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Towing heavy work machines with rigid chassis vehicles results in large turning radii and loss of steerability due to the high towing point location, leading to potential front wheel lift-off and reduced traction, necessitating additional weights that increase mass and fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
A towing arrangement with a drawbar pivoted under the chassis, featuring three separate pivots to distribute movement freedom, ensuring the towing force acts nearly in line with the rear axle, maintaining front wheel contact and enhancing traction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the towing point is located high on the chassis, then the towing arrangement is simpler, but the front wheels lift off the ground causing loss of steerability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the towing point from a high vertical position to a low horizontal position under the chassis between the axles. This dimensional change in position eliminates the lever arm that causes front wheel lift-off, maintaining steerability while preserving towing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of accepting the conventional high towing point position, the patent inverts the approach by placing the towing point low under the chassis. This inversion of the towing point location fundamentally changes the force distribution, preventing front wheel lift-off without requiring additional weights.
2Ease of operation
If additional weights are attached to the front of the towing vehicle, then front wheel lift-off is prevented, but the total mass and fuel consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for additional front weights by fundamentally changing the towing point location. The low positioned towing point naturally prevents front wheel lift-off through proper force distribution, making additional weights unnecessary and reducing total vehicle mass.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of front wheel lift-off into a benefit by using the towing force itself to press the front wheels onto the ground. The low towing point position creates a beneficial force distribution where the towing action naturally maintains front wheel contact.
3Device complexity
If the towing point is high on the chassis, then the towing arrangement is simpler, but the turning radius becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the vertical dimension of the towing point position to a low horizontal position under the chassis. This dimensional change reduces the effective lever arm and allows the trailer to follow more closely behind the towing vehicle, reducing the turning radius of the combination.
4Device complexity
If the towing point is high on the chassis, then the towing arrangement is simpler, but traction is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the towing force from a harmful lifting moment into a beneficial pressing force on the front wheels. The low towing point position ensures that the horizontal towing force creates a downward component that increases front wheel traction rather than reducing it.
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 allows for easier, safer towing of heavy work machines by reducing the turning radius and preventing front wheel lift-off, while maintaining steerability and improving traction through balanced weight distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a first pivot for pivoting the drawbar to the towing vehicle's towing point formed below the towing vehicle's chassis under the rear axle, which first pivot is transverse to the chassis, a second pivot arranged at the second end of the drawbar, which second pivot is vertical and arranged to transmit the load of the trailer to be towed rigidly to the first pivot
Data Source
AI summary
A system for moving a work machine includes a towing vehicle, a trailer arranged to be towed with the towing vehicle, and a towing arrangement for the towing vehicle. The towing vehicle includes a towing vehicle's towing point arranged under its chassis between the front axle and rear axle. The trailer includes a chassis and a towing arm, a deck, and wheels. The towing arrangement includes: a drawbar having a first end pivoted to the towing vehicle's towing point and a second end having a drawbar's towing point for the trailer to be towed, a first pivot under the rear axle and in a transverse direction of the vehicle chassis for pivoting the drawbar to the towing vehicle's towing point, a second pivot having a vertical axis and being fitted to the drawbar's second end to transmit a load of the trailer being towed rigidly to the first pivot, a third pivot, located at one end of the drawbar, to permit the trailer to tilt in a transverse direction of the towing vehicle, a vertical support for the second pivot, an upper drawbar, and a connector arm, wherein the drawbar, the upper drawbar, and the connector arm form a closed structure around the rear axle.