Rotating Fifth Wheel Kingpin Assembly Wear Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Fifth wheel hitch assemblies experience operational wear and maintenance challenges due to the kingpin's interaction with other components, particularly in terms of rotation and debris entry, which complicates maintenance and replacement.
Innovation Solution
A kingpin assembly design featuring a housing with a recess and a collar that rotationally secures the kingpin, along with a retention assembly allowing for easy adjustment and removal, reducing wear through a cylindrical body with varying diameters and a ring portion that inhibits axial displacement, and incorporating a wear-reducing material to minimize friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the kingpin is rotationally secured within the housing and collar, then the kingpin maintains stable positioning and rotational support, but operational wear occurs due to friction and debris entry
Solution Approach 1:
The kingpin assembly is divided into separable components including the kingpin, housing, collar, and retention assembly. This segmentation allows the kingpin to be easily removed and replaced without replacing the entire assembly, thereby extending the operational duration while maintaining stability during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the kingpin and the housing-c collar assembly. It provides controlled engagement and disengagement, reducing direct friction and wear between the kingpin and housing while maintaining rotational stability during operation.
2Reliability
If the kingpin is firmly secured within the housing, then rotational support is maintained, but maintenance and replacement become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The retention assembly provides dynamic engagement and disengagement capability. During normal operation, it firmly secures the kingpin for reliable rotational support. During maintenance, it can be easily actuated to release the kingpin, simplifying replacement without compromising rotational stability during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention assembly is designed to be easily actuated by unskilled personnel to preliminary release the kingpin before removal. This preliminary action simplifies the maintenance process by preparing the assembly for easy kingpin extraction without requiring complex disassembly procedures.
3Productivity
If the kingpin allows free rotation, then operational efficiency is improved, but wear increases due to friction and debris entry
Solution Approach 1:
The retention assembly serves as an intermediary that enables controlled rotation while protecting against excessive wear. It allows necessary rotational movement for operational efficiency while minimizing direct contact friction and preventing debris entry that would accelerate wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar member acts as a protective shell around the kingpin, providing a barrier against debris entry while allowing free rotation. This flexible protective enclosure reduces wear by preventing contaminant contact while maintaining the rotational freedom needed for operational efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A kingpin assembly comprises a housing having a recess located therein, a collar member operably coupled to the housing, and an integral single-piece kingpin having at least a portion located within the recess of the housing, wherein the housing and collar cooperate to rotationally secure the kingpin within the recess of the housing, and wherein the kingpin provides a sole rotational support for the kingpin with respect to the housing and the collar.