Portable Trailer Stabilizer With Hydraulic Damping for Loaded Trailers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer stabilizers fail to adequately support and stabilize parked semi-trailers, particularly during loading and unloading, and are not designed to handle the weight of a fully loaded trailer or dampen abrupt forces, leading to potential trailer collapse or tipping.
Innovation Solution
A portable trailer stabilizer system using a closed hydraulic system that can be repositioned underneath a semi-trailer, supported by a terminal tractor, and engages the front end to stabilize and support the trailer, even if the landing gear fails, damping abrupt forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If existing trailer stabilizers are used to support parked semi-trailers, then the stabilizers can provide some support, but they fail to adequately support the weight of a fully loaded trailer and cannot dampen abrupt forces, leading to potential trailer collapse or tipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic stabilizer system with a hydraulic cylinder that can be extended or retracted to support the front end of the trailer. The hydraulic system provides controlled force application, allowing the stabilizer to support the weight of a fully loaded trailer while dampening abrupt forces through fluid compression and expansion. This resolves the contradiction by providing both sufficient strength and reliability through the inherent damping characteristics of hydraulic fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic stabilizer system is designed to be positioned underneath the front end of the trailer before loading occurs. The hydraulic cylinder maintains continuous contact with the trailer frame, providing beforehand cushioning against abrupt forces that may occur during loading, unloading, or environmental conditions. This prevents trailer collapse or tipping by absorbing shock loads before they can cause damage.
2Reliability
If a portable trailer stabilizer system is positioned underneath the semi-trailer to provide support, then the system can stabilize the trailer, but the system complexity increases due to the need for repositioning and engagement mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer system incorporates self-positioning capabilities where the hydraulic cylinder can automatically extend or retract based on the trailer's weight and position. The system uses sensors and control mechanisms to detect when the trailer is properly supported, eliminating the need for manual repositioning and engagement. This reduces system complexity while maintaining high reliability through automated stabilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic stabilizer system is designed to work with various semi-trailer types and configurations. The same basic stabilizer unit can be used across different applications, providing universal support functionality. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity by using standardized components rather than specialized equipment for each trailer type.
3Strength
If the stabilizer system is designed to handle the weight of a fully loaded trailer, then the support capacity is sufficient, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic stabilizer system uses a high-strength, low-weight hydraulic cylinder design that can support the weight of a fully loaded trailer without excessive mass. The hydraulic system provides mechanical advantage through fluid pressure multiplication, allowing a relatively small and lightweight cylinder to generate the necessary support force. This resolves the contradiction by providing high support capacity with minimal stabilizer weight through hydraulic force multiplication.
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
The system effectively stabilizes and supports the trailer, preventing collapse or tipping, ensuring safety and reducing damage to goods and equipment, while accommodating uneven surfaces and trailer tilt.
Implementation Method 1
a first hydraulic cylinder in selective fluid communication with an accumulator via a first isolation valve and a second hydraulic cylinder in selective fluid communication with the accumulator via a second isolation valve
Data Source
AI summary
A portable trailer stabilizer includes a support surface engagement element, a trailer engagement element, a hydraulic cylinder that extends the trailer engagement element relative to the support surface engagement element, an on-board, self-contained energy source including a hydraulic accumulator for the hydraulic cylinder, an isolation valve fluidically interposing the hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic accumulator, a positioning element engagement element to selectively couple with a trailer stabilizer positioning element of a tractor, and a valve operator mechanism to (i) open the isolation valve when the positioning element engagement element is coupled to the trailer stabilizer positioning element of the tractor, and (ii) shut the isolation valve when the positioning element engagement element is uncoupled from the trailer stabilizer positioning element of the tractor. The hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic accumulator, and the isolation valve are operatively connected in a closed hydraulic system containing a hydraulic fluid.