Multideck Trailer Layout for Low-Clearance Vehicle Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trailers with multiple decks face issues in efficiently transporting vehicles due to vehicles bottoming out at deck intersections and encountering height problems under low overpasses.
Innovation Solution
A multideck trailer design featuring an inclined first deck with horizontal surfaces, pans for wheel reception, and a pivotally supported ramp, allowing vehicles to transition smoothly between decks without exceeding critical heights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If vehicles are stored on conventional multideck trailers with vertical deck transitions, then the trailer can transport vehicles, but the vehicles bottom out at the intersection between decks
Solution Approach 1:
The first deck is designed with an inclined surface (4-5 degrees) transitioning to a substantially horizontal surface, creating a curved/angled transition zone instead of a sharp vertical intersection. This curved geometry allows vehicles to transition smoothly between deck levels without bottoming out, resolving the conflict between transport capability and vehicle stability
2Reliability
If vehicles are positioned to avoid bottoming out, then vehicle stability improves, but the vehicle height becomes too high for low overpasses
Solution Approach 1:
The design distributes vehicle positioning across multiple spatial dimensions: the inclined surface (4-5 degrees) provides longitudinal positioning, the pans provide lateral wheel reception, and the vertical deck arrangement provides elevation control. This multi-dimensional approach allows simultaneous optimization of vehicle stability and height control for underpass clearance
3Adaptability or versatility
If the first deck is elevated to connect to the fifth wheel, then the trailer can be coupled to the tractor, but vehicles cannot be efficiently transported due to bottoming out
Solution Approach 1:
The first deck is segmented into distinct functional zones: an inclined surface for vehicle transition, a substantially horizontal surface for vehicle positioning, and integrated pans for wheel reception. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally while maintaining overall coupling capability with the fifth wheel
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an example of a multideck trailer. In at least one nonlimiting example embodiment the multideck trailer has a first deck having an inclined surface and a substantially horizontal surface extending from the inclined surface. In this nonlimiting example embodiment the multideck trailer further includes a first pan arranged at a first side of the first deck and a second pan arranged at a second side of the first deck, the first and second pans being configured to receive wheels of a vehicle. In example embodiments the multideck trailer further includes a second deck attached to the first deck, the second deck having a substantially horizontal top surface. In addition, the multideck trailer includes a ramp pivotally supported.