Lowering Trailer Chassis With Cable Positioning Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailers face challenges in loading heavy or large loads with limited ground clearance, as they require additional equipment like ramps, which increase weight and reduce load capacity, and existing lowering systems are complex, heavy, and maintenance-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A trailer design featuring a novel positioning system with a chassis that can be raised and lowered using a compact, mechanical cabling system, eliminating the need for ramps and reducing non-load weight, incorporating torsion axles, direct pull positioning cables, and a winch actuator for easy operation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ramps are used to load heavy loads onto the trailer, then loading capability is improved, but trailer weight and spatial volume increase, reducing effective load capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separate ramp component from the trailer system. Instead, the trailer deck itself is made movable to perform the ramp function, extracting the unnecessary ramp and reducing weight while maintaining loading capability
Solution Approach 2:
The trailer deck serves multiple functions: it is both the load-bearing surface and the ramp for loading. By making the deck movable between raised and lowered positions, it universally performs both structural and access functions, eliminating the need for dedicated ramp equipment
2Ease of operation
If ramps are used to load heavy loads onto the trailer, then loading capability is improved, but the trailer requires carrying additional equipment, increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ramp from being a separate carried equipment and integrates the ramp function directly into the trailer deck structure, reducing the number of components and simplifying the overall system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the ramp function with the trailer deck structure. The deck itself becomes the ramp when lowered, combining what were previously separate functions (deck for carrying loads, ramp for accessing loads) into a single integrated component
3Length of moving object
If the chassis is kept in a raised position for normal operation, then ground clearance is improved, but loading becomes difficult without additional equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the trailer deck dynamic rather than static, allowing it to change position between raised (for transport with ground clearance) and lowered (for loading). This dynamic positioning capability resolves the contradiction by enabling both states as needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares the loading path in advance by lowering the deck to ground level before loading operations begin. This preliminary action of position change enables easy loading without requiring separate ramp equipment to be deployed at the moment of loading
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 trailer can load and unload heavy loads without additional equipment, increasing load capacity and reducing weight and complexity, while being easier to use and maintain, with improved ride quality and ground clearance.
Implementation Method 1
a positioning arm comprising a positioning cable connection element, wherein: the positioning arm is configured to move between a first position in which the chassis is in a lowered position and a second position in which chassis is in a raised position via action of a positioning cable attached to the positioning cable connection element
Implementation Method 2
a suspension arm connected to a torsion axle tube, wherein the torsion axle extends at least partially into the axle tube
Data Source
AI summary
Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide a trailer, including: a chassis and a plurality of positioning assemblies, each positioning assembly including a positioning arm configured to move between a first position in which the chassis is in a lowered position and a second position in which chassis is in a raised position.