Low Profile Saddle Mount With Segmented Support Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional saddle mount configurations for coupling wheeled vehicles suffer from significant stress, deformation, and potential failure due to rigid connections and limited inspection accessibility, leading to reduced durability and safety concerns during vehicle transport.
Innovation Solution
An improved underslung saddle mount design featuring laterally spaced support plates with filler plates for load dissipation, a tubular cross member, and a rotatable saddle head, allowing for increased flexibility and easier inspection, while providing additional weld joints for enhanced structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid welding connections are used between end plates and cross member, then structural strength is improved, but stress concentration and deformation increase leading to reduced durability
Solution Approach 1:
The end plate is divided into multiple sections with filler plates positioned between the support plate and cross member. This segmentation distributes the load across multiple smaller welded joints rather than one large rigid connection, reducing stress concentration at any single point while maintaining overall structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Filler plates are strategically positioned at specific locations where stress concentration occurs, providing localized reinforcement and load distribution. This allows the structure to have varying properties in different regions - rigid where strength is needed, flexible where stress relief is required.
2Strength
If end plates are welded directly to cross member, then structural integrity is improved, but inspection accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the welded connection into multiple smaller joints between the end plate, filler plates, and cross member, each weld becomes individually accessible and inspectable. The modular arrangement allows inspection personnel to access and examine each welded joint separately, improving detection capability while maintaining structural integrity.
3Strength
If filler plates are added to support plates, then load distribution is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filler plates create a segmented, modular structure where each component (support plate, filler plate, cross member) is a simple, standardized element. This modular segmentation actually simplifies manufacturing and assembly compared to creating complex integrated structures, as each piece can be fabricated separately and then welded together.
Data Source
AI summary
A low profile saddle mount for use in the transportation of vehicles including a saddle body configuration capable of withstanding increased load capacity over conventional saddle mounts is disclosed. The saddle mount generally includes a pair of laterally spaced support plates and a substantially tubular cross member extending therebetween. Each of the support plates is at least partially disposed inside the cross member at opposing ends thereof and secured therein using at least one dampening or filler plate. The configuration of the support plates in combination with one or more filler plate provides limited yield/deflection of the saddle body during operation and provides a load dissipation function, thereby permitting the support plates to withstand an increased load capacity.