Modular Axle Assembly for Agricultural Trailers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural trailers face challenges in accommodating varying suspension and steering requirements due to the need for multiple axle assemblies, leading to increased storage and costs, as existing solutions involve welded connections that are inflexible and cannot be easily changed.
Innovation Solution
A modular axle assembly design featuring screw and/or welded connections between longitudinal and cross beams, allowing for easy detachment and reconfiguration of axle modules with different suspension and steering concepts, enabling quick adaptation to changing customer needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welded connections are used to attach axle modules to the frame, then structural strength and rigidity are improved, but adaptability and ease of modification deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The axle assembly is divided into modular components (axle modules, brackets, suspension devices) that can be independently attached and detached from the frame through screw connections, allowing segmentation of the rigid welded structure into reconfigurable segments
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system transitions from a static welded state to a dynamic, reconfigurable state using screw connections that allow brackets and axle modules to be easily attached, detached, and repositioned according to different customer requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple axle assemblies are manufactured for different suspension and steering requirements, then adaptability to customer needs is improved, but storage requirements and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single frame design with standardized screw connection interfaces can accommodate multiple types of axle modules (mechanically sprung, hydropneumatically sprung, with different steering devices), making one frame universal for multiple configurations and eliminating the need to manufacture and store multiple specialized axle assemblies
Solution Approach 2:
Different axle modules can be attached to the same frame by changing the parameters of the attached components (suspension type, steering device, axle position) rather than changing the entire axle assembly, allowing flexible adaptation to different customer requirements from a single base frame
3Adaptability or versatility
If axle assemblies are customized for specific customer requirements, then customer satisfaction is improved, but manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The axle assembly is segmented into standardized brackets and modular axle units that can be independently manufactured and then quickly assembled to customer specifications, reducing manufacturing complexity compared to custom-building each axle assembly from scratch
Solution Approach 2:
Standardized brackets and axle modules are pre-manufactured with consistent connection interfaces, allowing rapid customization at assembly time without requiring complex manufacturing processes for each custom configuration
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2a~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an axle assembly (1) for an agricultural trailer (35) with a frame (2, 3) on which a usable space or area of the trailer (35) is supported and with axle modules (11, 15) which are arranged on the frame (2, 3) and are supported on the ground by wheels (24, 33), wherein the axle modules (11, 15) are detachably attached to the frame (2, 3).