Roll Coupling Trailer Hitch Assembly Torque Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial vehicles with increased load capacity become unstable due to a higher center of gravity, leading to safety concerns, and existing solutions fail to adequately address this issue without restricting weight limits, which can lead to accidents.
Innovation Solution
A roll coupling system that distributes torque from the trailer to the tow vehicle through a roll torque transfer structure and coupling alignment mechanism, improving stability by aligning load-bearing surfaces and reducing stress on hitch components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of weight bearing axles is increased to increase load capacity, then the carrying capacity is improved, but the vehicle becomes increasingly unstable due to raised center of gravity
Solution Approach 1:
A roll coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the tow vehicle and trailer, using a roll torque transfer structure with load bearing surfaces to couple their roll motions. This transfers stability from the vehicle to the trailer, allowing increased load capacity while maintaining stability through the coupled roll motion rather than raising the center of gravity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If weight limits are restricted to improve safety, then vehicle stability is improved, but the carrying capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The roll coupling system allows the trailer to serve itself in terms of stability management. The trailer's roll motion is coupled to the vehicle through the roll torque transfer structure, enabling the trailer to actively participate in maintaining system stability rather than being a passive load, thus allowing higher weights without compromising safety.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a roll coupling system is implemented to improve stability, then vehicle stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The roll coupling system is segmented into distinct functional components: a roll coupling mechanism with a roll torque transfer structure containing load bearing surfaces, and a conventional hitch assembly. This segmentation allows the complex roll coupling function to be isolated in a dedicated mechanism while maintaining compatibility with standard hitch components, making the overall system manageable despite the added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A roll coupling system for roll coupling the drawbar of a trailer to the rear of a tow vehicle includes at least one load-transfer point between the tow vehicle and the trailer. At least one load-transfer point includes a wear reducer. A yaw and/or pitch articulator is mounted between the vehicle and the trailer providing for yaw and/or pitch. The articulator has a corresponding substantially vertical yaw axis and/or substantially horizontal pitch axis.