Movable Rear Wheel Assembly for Trailer Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for loading and unloading cargo from semi-trailer trucks are inefficient and pose safety risks, especially in limited spaces, as they require ramps and lifting equipment, which can lead to accidents and delays.
Innovation Solution
A selectively lowerable and raisable vehicle trailer system that adjusts its rear wheel assembly along a track rail to pivot the trailer from a horizontal transport orientation to a sloped loading/unloading orientation, eliminating the need for ramps and lifting equipment by allowing cargo to be easily loaded or unloaded without lifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional loading methods using ramps and lifting equipment are used, then cargo can be loaded and unloaded, but safety risks increase and loading/unloading time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rear wheel assembly is made movable along the trailer length, allowing dynamic repositioning between a rearward position for transport and a forward position for loading. This dynamic adjustment changes the trailer's pivot point, enabling the rear end to lower to the ground for direct cargo access without ramps or lifting equipment, thereby improving safety and reducing loading time
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the trailer's orientation parameter from a horizontal transport orientation to a sloped loading orientation by moving the rear wheel assembly forward past the center of gravity. This parameter change allows the rear end to rest on the ground, creating a direct pathway for cargo loading and unloading that eliminates safety risks associated with ramps and lifting equipment
2Ease of operation
If ramps are used for loading and unloading, then cargo can be transported, but the risk of accidents increases and the process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a ramp to bridge the height difference between ground and trailer, the invention inverts the approach by lowering the trailer rear end to the ground. The rear wheel assembly moves forward to become the pivot point, causing the rear end to descend until it rests on the ground, creating direct access for cargo loading and eliminating the need for ramps entirely
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and eliminates the ramp from the loading system entirely. By repositioning the rear wheel assembly and lowering the trailer rear end to the ground, the system creates a direct ground-to-trailer pathway that removes the intermediate ramp structure, thereby eliminating the safety risks and complexity associated with ramp usage
3Weight of moving object
If lifting equipment is used for cargo handling, then heavy cargo can be loaded, but device complexity increases and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using lifting equipment to raise cargo into the trailer, the invention inverts the approach by lowering the trailer rear end to ground level. The movable rear wheel assembly enables the trailer to pivot and descend until the rear end rests on the ground, allowing heavy cargo to be rolled or pushed directly into the trailer without any lifting equipment, thereby reducing both complexity and safety risks
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates equipotential conditions for cargo loading by equalizing the height between the ground and the trailer floor at the rear end. By positioning the rear wheel assembly forward and allowing the trailer to pivot downward, the rear end reaches ground level, eliminating height differences that would otherwise require lifting equipment and enabling direct cargo transfer
4Stability of the object's composition
If the rear wheel assembly is positioned at the rear for transport, then transport stability is maintained, but loading and unloading capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rear wheel assembly is designed to be dynamically repositionable along the trailer length rather than being fixed. For transport, it is positioned at the rear to maintain stability. For loading and unloading, it moves forward past the center of gravity to become the pivot point, enabling the trailer to lower to the ground. This dynamic repositioning allows the system to optimize for either transport stability or loading efficiency depending on the operational phase
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the longitudinal position parameter of the rear wheel assembly between two extreme positions: rearward position for transport stability and forward position for loading efficiency. This parameter change fundamentally alters the trailer's behavior, enabling it to pivot and lower the rear end to the ground, thereby transforming from a stable transport configuration to an efficient loading configuration
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
This system facilitates safe and expedited cargo handling, reducing the risk of accidents and delays, and is particularly beneficial in confined spaces where traditional methods are impractical.
Implementation Method 1
The trailer is pivoted rearwardly from a horizontal transport orientation to a sloped or angled loading/unloading orientation in which the rear end of the trailer rests on the ground
Data Source
AI summary
A selectively lowerable and raisable vehicle trailer system for raising and lowering of a vehicle trailer to expedite loading and unloading of cargo includes a rear wheel assembly. An elongated trailer is pivotally supported by the rear wheel assembly. The trailer is positional between a horizontal transport orientation and a sloped or angled loading/unloading orientation on the rear wheel assembly. The rear wheel assembly is selectively adjustable in position along the trailer between a rear transport position and a forward loading/unloading position, rearward and forward of the trailer center of gravity, respectively. A wheel assembly adjustment mechanism engages the rear wheel assembly. The wheel assembly adjustment mechanism operably engages the rear wheel assembly to facilitate selective positioning of the rear wheel assembly between the transport position and the loading/unloading position. A method of loading and unloading cargo onto and from a vehicle trailer is also disclosed.