Securing Plates for Vehicle Saddlemount Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transporting large trucks, such as using tow bars or hoisting the front axle, face challenges like aerodynamic stress, costly long U-bolts, and potential wear and chafing, which increase costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using securing plates with right-angle bends that fit under the top flanges and webs of the towing vehicle's frame members, secured with bolts and protective materials to prevent movement and wear, allowing for efficient and cost-effective attachment of a saddlemount without long U-bolts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If long U-bolts are used to secure the saddlemount to the towing vehicle, then the saddlemount can be securely attached to the frame members, but the cost increases and wear and chafing potential increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into separate components: a saddlemount with mounting plates attached to the frame members, and a separate saddle body that interfaces with the mounting plates. This segmentation allows the use of shorter, less expensive fasteners while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed mounting plate configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
Mounting plates serve as intermediary elements between the frame members and the saddlemount. These plates distribute the attachment forces across multiple contact points on the frame members, allowing shorter fasteners to achieve the same secure attachment that would otherwise require long U-bolts spanning the entire frame depth.
2Productivity
If the towed vehicle is towed in a rear-ward fashion behind the front vehicle using a tow bar, then the vehicle can be transported, but the aerodynamic surfaces are subjected to reverse stresses requiring additional bracing
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of towing the vehicle in reverse behind the towing vehicle, the towed vehicle is positioned facing forward on the saddlemount. This inversion of the towing orientation eliminates the aerodynamic reverse stress problem, as the vehicle's aerodynamic surfaces are now aligned with the intended direction of airflow during transport.
3Ease of operation
If the forward portion of the towed vehicle is raised to mate with a towing saddle, then the vehicle can be secured for transport, but the raising height required is considerable
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment interface is redesigned to engage with the frame members at their lateral position rather than requiring vertical raising. The mounting plates attach to the side surfaces of the C-channel frame members, allowing the saddlemount to be positioned at a lower height while still achieving secure attachment through lateral engagement rather than vertical lifting.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transporting vehicles is disclosed. The method uses inner or outer securing plates, or both, in cooperation with frame rails of a towing vehicle to secure a towing device to the towing vehicle. Towing vehicles typically include a frame that is made from strong robust channels on both sides of the towing vehicle. The securing plates generally have a right-angle bend in order to butt up against a web or a flange of the channels. This prevents inner or outer movement of the securing plates and allows users to secure a towing saddle and its load without using extended U-bolts around the channels.