Pivotable Trailer Runners for Off-Road Support and On-Road Clearance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailers lack adaptability for both on-road and off-road driving conditions, with runners being a hindrance on roads and not providing sufficient support in off-road environments.
Innovation Solution
A trailer design featuring pivotable runners mechanically coupled to bogies, allowing them to move between on-road and off-road positions, with suspension systems that restrict downward pivoting to prevent sticking and enhance clearance, and a mechanism like a threaded rod and meshing sleeve for easy position change.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If runners are mounted on the chassis to provide support in off-road environments, then off-road capabilities are improved, but wind resistance increases and the risk of colliding with obstacles on the road increases
Solution Approach 1:
The runners are made movable between an off-road position and an on-road position through a mechanical lifting mechanism. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the runners to be raised clear of the ground during on-road travel, eliminating wind resistance and collision risks, while being lowered to provide support during off-road operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If runners are made pivotable relative to the chassis to improve off-road capabilities, then adaptability to terrain is improved, but the complexity of the suspension system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable mounting of runners to the bogies combines two functions into one arrangement: the runners can both pivot with the bogies during off-road operation and be lifted clear of the ground during on-road travel. This merging eliminates the need for separate suspension systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The bogie-runner connection serves multiple functions: it allows the runners to pivot relative to the chassis during off-road operation while also enabling the runners to be lifted clear of the ground during on-road travel. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If the runners are fixed in a lowered position to provide continuous support, then off-road support is improved, but clearance and wind resistance are worsened during on-road travel
Solution Approach 1:
The runners are made movable between an off-road position and an on-road position through a mechanical lifting mechanism. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the runners to be raised clear of the ground during on-road travel, eliminating wind resistance and collision risks, while being lowered to provide support during off-road operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A trailer (1) for being pulled by a motor vehicle, the trailer comprising a chassis (10) having a front section (11), a first side section (13) and a second side section (14), wherein the front section (11) comprises coupling means (15) for being coupled to a motor vehicle. The trailer (1) further comprises a first (20) and a second bogie (30), each bogie having two wheels (21, 22, 31, 32), the first bogie (20) being connected to the first side section (13) of the chassis (10) in a first pivoting coupling (23) and the second bogie (30) being connected to the second side section (14) of the chassis (10) in a second pivoting coupling. The trailer (1) comprises a first (25) and a second (35) runner extending in the driving direction of the trailer (1) and the first and second runners (25, 35) are moveable between an on-road position and an off-road position, and the first runner(25) is mechanically coupled to the first bogie (20) and the second runner (35) is mechanically coupled the second bogie (30) so that the runners (25, 35) may pivot relative the chassis (10).