Powered Converter Dolly With Regenerative Braking for Trailer Shunting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current converter dollies in the road transportation industry are passive and limited in their application, failing to efficiently manage the coupling and movement of trailers, particularly in shifting and positioning within drop yards or other locations, and do not effectively utilize kinetic energy for fuel economy improvements.
Innovation Solution
An active converter dolly apparatus equipped with an electrical kinetic energy recovery device and motor control for regenerative braking, allowing for the capture and storage of braking energy, and featuring an articulated frame for steerable operation, enabling the efficient coupling and movement of trailers, including the ability to shunt trailers around staging areas without a towing vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If passive converter dollies are used to attach pup trailers to transport trailers, then the basic coupling function is provided, but the ability to efficiently manage coupling and movement of trailers in drop yards is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by equipping the converter dolly with an active drive system including motor, controller, and energy storing device. This transforms the passive dolly into an active system capable of self-propelled movement, enabling it to move trailers independently within drop yards without requiring a towing vehicle, thus improving ease of operation and expanding adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The converter dolly achieves self-service through the integration of the drive system that enables autonomous movement. The energy storing device powers the motor to propel the dolly and attached trailers, eliminating the need for external towing vehicles during positioning operations within the facility, thereby enhancing both operational ease and versatility
2Productivity
If conventional towing methods are used to move trailers within drop yards, then trailers can be relocated, but manual intervention and towing vehicles are required
Solution Approach 1:
The converter dolly achieves self-service through the integration of the drive system that enables autonomous movement. The energy storing device powers the motor to propel the dolly and attached trailers, eliminating the need for external towing vehicles during positioning operations within the facility, thereby enhancing both operational ease and versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical towing system with an electrical drive system. Instead of using external towing vehicles to move trailers, the converter dolly uses an electric motor powered by an energy storing device to propel itself and the attached trailers, substituting mechanical towing with electrical propulsion and control
3Loss of energy
If kinetic energy is not recovered during braking, then the braking function is provided, but fuel economy cannot be improved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful energy loss during braking into a beneficial resource. The energy recovering device captures kinetic energy that would normally be wasted during deceleration and stores it in the energy storing device. This recovered energy is then reused to power the drive system, reducing overall energy consumption and improving fuel economy of the transport truck
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the kinetic energy during braking, the system recovers and stores this energy using the energy recovering device and energy storing device. The recovered energy is then reused to power the motor-driven wheels, converting what would be waste into a useful resource that improves overall system efficiency and fuel economy
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 solution enhances fuel economy by utilizing recovered kinetic energy and enables more efficient trailer management, allowing for remote or autonomous steering and positioning of trailers, reducing the need for manual intervention and improving operational efficiency in transportation operations.
Implementation Method 1
a kinetic energy recovery device for converting mechanical energy generated by rotation of the at least one wheel to electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
an energy storing device for storing the electrical energy
Implementation Method 3
at least one motor operably coupled to: (i) at least one wheel of the front pair of wheels and the rear pair of wheels for applying rotational force to the at least one wheel
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is directed at an apparatus and method for shifting or moving trailers. In one aspect, the apparatus is a converter dolly with at least one set of powered wheels, which can be equipped with a remote control steering device. In another aspect, the apparatus is a remotely controlled terminal tractor configured to be coupled to a trailer. In some aspects, the remote control of the apparatus is directed by an autonomous algorithm resident remotely or on the apparatus itself. In another aspect, a frame of an apparatus for towing a trailer includes an articulated frame with a first frame counterpart pivotably connected to a second frame counterpart.