Pivoting Trailer Underride Guard for Obstacle Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cargo trailers lack effective underride guard assemblies that can pivot to accommodate obstacles and prevent damage during upward forces, such as railroad crossings, while maintaining structural integrity during lateral impacts.
Innovation Solution
The semi-trailer features a wheeled chassis with an underride guard assembly comprising pivotable elongated brace members and a rail system, where the brace members are attached to the chassis via S-shaped brackets and secured with nut and bolt fasteners, allowing them to pivot upward and away from the center when an upward force is applied, and are restrained from pivoting inward by center and side straps, forming a stop that blocks inward movement during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the underride guard assembly is made rigid to maintain structural integrity during lateral impacts, then strength is improved, but the ability to pivot and accommodate obstacles like railroad crossings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The underride guard assembly incorporates a pivotable connection between the brace member and the longitudinal member, allowing the structure to dynamically adjust its configuration. The brace member can pivot relative to the longitudinal member to accommodate upward forces from obstacles like railroad crossings, while the stop mechanism ensures it returns to its original position, maintaining structural integrity during lateral impacts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the underride guard assembly is made pivotable to accommodate obstacles, then adaptability is improved, but the structural integrity during lateral impacts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stop mechanism is pre-configured to prevent the brace member from pivoting beyond a predetermined angle. This preliminary constraint ensures that while the assembly can pivot to accommodate obstacles, it will not compromise its structural integrity during lateral impacts by limiting the range of motion to safe parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivotable connection with stop mechanism creates a dynamic system that adapts to upward forces while maintaining strength. The brace member can pivot to accommodate obstacles but is restrained from excessive movement, thus balancing adaptability with structural integrity.
3Strength
If the brace members are restrained from pivoting inward to maintain structural integrity, then strength is improved, but the ability to navigate obstacles deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stop mechanism allows the brace member to pivot outward to accommodate obstacles while preventing inward pivoting that would compromise structural integrity. This dynamic restraint enables the assembly to navigate obstacles safely while maintaining strength during impacts.
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 design enables the trailer to safely navigate obstacles like railroad crossings without damaging the underride guard assembly and maintains structural integrity during impacts by allowing the brace members to pivot away from the center, preventing damage and ensuring continued functionality.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the first brace member and the second brace member is pivotable upwardly about an axis passing through the first end of the first brace member and the first end of the second brace member
Implementation Method 2
A stop is disposed operatively between the first rail and the wheeled chassis that blocks the first rail from pivoting inward from the first position toward the center in response to application of the upward force to the first rail
Data Source
AI summary
A semi-trailer is provided, including a wheeled chassis having at least one wheeled axle at a rearward end and a retractable support at a forward end, a body comprising a cargo deck and an underride guard assembly that is movable in response to an upward force applied thereto.