Pivot Lift Trailer Frame for Legged Container Loading
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing road trailers lack an efficient mechanism for lifting and loading containers with minimal effort and expense, particularly in aligning and securing containers for transport.
Innovation Solution
A road trailer design featuring a main frame with a pivot fifth wheel and an axle frame that pivots to lift containers, using hydraulic cylinders to raise the frame and engage with container legs, allowing for easy loading and transport while minimizing structural size and effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional road trailer without lift mechanism is used, then the structural size and cost are minimized, but the effort and expense required to lift and load containers increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer employs a dynamic lift frame mechanism that can pivot and rotate to engage with container legs, transforming the static trailer structure into an active lifting system. The lift frame rotates about a horizontal axis and can engage/disengage from container legs dynamically during loading operations
Solution Approach 2:
The lift frame acts as an intermediary mechanism between the trailer body and the containers. It provides a mechanical interface that transfers lifting force from the trailer's hydraulic system to the containers through engagement with their legs, enabling easy loading without direct manual handling
2Productivity
If the trailer frame is made larger to accommodate lifting mechanisms, then containers can be lifted more effectively, but the trailer's structural size and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lift frame mechanism is designed to nest within the trailer's existing structure when not in use. The lift frame can be positioned within the trailer body and engages only during loading operations, minimizing the trailer's overall volume while maintaining high loading efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting function is segmented into a separate, movable lift frame component rather than being integrated into the main trailer structure. This allows the lifting mechanism to be compact and only occupy additional space when actively engaged with containers
3Adaptability or versatility
If the trailer uses a fixed frame structure, then manufacturing is simpler, but the ability to align with and engage container legs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lift frame is designed with rotational and pivoting capabilities that allow it to dynamically align with container legs of varying positions. The frame can rotate about a horizontal axis and pivot to accommodate different container leg configurations, providing adaptability without requiring complex adjustable components
Solution Approach 2:
The lift frame mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the trailer, enables lifting of containers, and offers alignment capability with various container leg positions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate alignment mechanisms, simplifying manufacturing
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
Enables containers to be lifted and loaded with reduced effort and expense, allowing for efficient transport by aligning the trailer frame with container legs and deploying them for further transport by short trucks.
Implementation Method 1
The pivot fifth wheel and the axle frame are configured to pivot and move the main frame upwardly a vertical distance
Implementation Method 2
using hydraulic cylinders to raise the frame and engage with container legs
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer has a main frame with a neck portion on its forward end. A pivot fifth wheel is rotatably affixed to the forward end of the neck portion. The pivot fifth wheel releasably attaches to the fifth wheel of a towing vehicle. An axle frame is rotatably affixed to the rearward end of the main frame, and rotates with respect to the main frame. The pivot fifth wheel and the axle frame are configured to pivot and move the main frame upwardly a vertical distance.