Retractable Vehicle Trailer with Vertical Positioning Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional add-on cargo-carrying devices for SUVs, such as storage pods and trailers, lack the ability to carry hard luggage, bikes, and sports gear efficiently, and their use can alter the vehicle's center of mass, affecting handling and increasing rollover risk, while also occupying excessive space when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A retractable on-board vehicle trailer that can be coupled to a vehicle hitch, providing a 4.5 ft.×8.5 ft. surface area for cargo, which can be retracted vertically against the vehicle, maintaining coupling and reducing the trailer's footprint, allowing the vehicle to park in a single space without detaching the trailer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional trailer is attached to the SUV to increase cargo-carrying capacity, then the cargo-carrying capacity is improved, but the space occupied in the parking lot increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be moved between an extended position for cargo carrying and a retracted position for compact parking. The trailer positioning assembly enables the trailer to be positioned adjacent to the vehicle body, transforming it from a static attachment to a dynamic component that adapts to different operational states.
Solution Approach 2:
The trailer utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning itself adjacent to the vehicle body rather than only extending horizontally. This allows the trailer to be stored in the vertical space next to the SUV, effectively using three-dimensional space to reduce the horizontal footprint in the parking lot.
2Quantity of substance
If a storage pod is mounted to the roof of the SUV to increase cargo-carrying capacity, then the cargo-carrying capacity is improved, but the center of mass of the SUV changes, decreasing handling and increasing rollover risk
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer positioning assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the trailer and the vehicle body. It provides a controlled connection point that allows the trailer to be positioned adjacent to the vehicle without creating unstable weight distribution. The positioning assembly ensures proper alignment and weight distribution, preventing unintended center of mass shifts.
3Quantity of substance
If the trailer is extended to carry cargo, then the cargo-carrying capacity is improved, but the complexity of the trailer system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer is divided into modular components including the trailer body, positioning assembly, and coupling mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, making the overall system easier to understand, assemble, and maintain while providing the necessary cargo-carrying capability.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the innovation relate to a vehicle trailer, comprising a base having a set of base panels, each base panel of the set of base panels hingedly connected to an adjacent base panel of the set of base panels, the base configured to be coupled to a vehicle; and a trailer positioning assembly configured to be coupled to the vehicle and coupled to at least one base panel of the set of base panels, the trailer positioning assembly configured to position the base between a first, expanded position relative to the vehicle, and a second, compacted position relative to the vehicle while the vehicle trailer is coupled to the vehicle.