Retractable Trailer Drawbar with Sliding Locking Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drawbar systems on truck trailers are rigidly attached, making them cumbersome and difficult to manage, especially when reducing dimensions for transport or unloading operations.
Innovation Solution
A retractable drawbar apparatus with a sliding mechanism and locking means, allowing the drawbar to be retracted within a housing, reducing overall dimensions during transport and enabling efficient unloading operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drawbar is rigidly attached to the trailer, then the drawbar is stable and reliable during use, but the overall dimensions of the apparatus increase and it becomes difficult to manage during transport and unloading operations
Solution Approach 1:
The drawbar is designed to be movable within the housing rather than rigidly fixed. It can slide between a retracted position (minimizing protrusion for transport) and an extended position (providing full functionality for use). The locking means ensure the drawbar remains stable when extended, while the sliding mechanism allows dimension reduction when retracted, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and compactness.
2Device complexity
If the drawbar is rigidly attached to the trailer, then the drawbar structure is simple, but the apparatus complexity increases due to the need for removal operations and it becomes cumbersome to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The drawbar system is segmented into the drawbar itself, the housing, and the locking means as separate functional components. The drawbar can be independently retracted into the housing and locked, eliminating the need for complex removal operations. This segmentation allows the drawbar to be easily managed and repositioned without complicating the overall structure.
3Length of moving object
If the drawbar is made retractable within a housing, then the overall dimensions are reduced during transport, but the device complexity increases due to sliding and locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The drawbar is nested within the housing, allowing it to be retracted inside the housing body. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall protrusion of the apparatus during transport. The locking means are integrated into the housing structure, ensuring that the additional components for retraction do not significantly increase overall device complexity while achieving compact dimensions.
Data Source
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AI summary
A drawbar apparatus (10) for a truck trailer (20) is described, said apparatus comprising: - a drawbar (11), - a housing (60) for said drawbar in which said drawbar slides, - said drawbar being available in a position of use (P1), wherein most of the drawbar is arranged outside said housing, and in at least one position of non-use (P2, P3), wherein the drawbar is in a retracted position inside said housing with respect to said position of use.