Multideck Trailer Ramp Geometry for Low-Clearance Vehicle Loading
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trailers with multiple decks face issues in efficiently transporting vehicles due to vehicles bottoming out at deck intersections and having excessive height that causes problems under low overpasses.
Innovation Solution
A multideck trailer design featuring an inclined first deck with pans for vehicle wheels, a horizontal second deck, and a pivotally supported ramp, allowing vehicles to transition smoothly without exceeding critical height limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a vehicle is stored on a conventional multideck trailer with vertical deck intersection, then the trailer can transport vehicles, but the vehicle bottoms out at the deck intersection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing the vertical deck intersection with a curved ramp surface. The ramp has a specific curvature radius that allows the vehicle to transition smoothly from the first deck to the second deck without bottoming out, while maintaining the vehicle's orientation and height within acceptable limits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the deck transition by introducing a ramp with specific angle and curvature radius. This parameter change transforms the sharp vertical intersection into a gradual curved transition, eliminating the bottoming out problem while maintaining transport efficiency.
2Shape
If a vehicle is rotated on a conventional trailer to fit deck configuration, then the vehicle can be positioned, but the vehicle height becomes excessive for low overpasses
Solution Approach 1:
The curved ramp surface allows the vehicle to transition between decks while maintaining its original orientation. The curvature of the ramp ensures that the vehicle does not need to be rotated excessively, thereby keeping the vehicle's top height within acceptable limits for low overpass clearance.
3Device complexity
If a vertical deck intersection is used in multideck trailer, then structural simplicity is maintained, but vehicle transport is inefficient due to bottoming out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a curved ramp surface as the transition between decks. This curved surface, while adding some structural complexity, enables efficient vehicle transport by preventing bottoming out and allowing smooth transitions, thereby significantly improving productivity.
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.