Semitrailer Cable Routing Tensioning Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable routing systems for semi-trailers suffer from frequent damage and wear due to sagging and alternating bending of supply lines during cornering, leading to short service life and non-compliance with ISO contours.
Innovation Solution
The cable routing system employs partial strands on both sides of the kingpin, held under tension by a prestressing device with pivotable tensioning arms and spring elements, minimizing bending stress and protecting the cables from damage during cornering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the supply line is routed with slack to allow trailer swing during cornering, then the trailer can corner properly, but the cable sags and is repeatedly damaged or torn off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the cable routing geometry from a sagging configuration to a tensioned configuration. The cable is routed through guide elements and tensioning devices that maintain it under tension, changing the physical state from loose to taut, thereby preventing damage while allowing trailer movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary components including guide elements, tensioning devices, and a drum mechanism that act as mediators between the cable and the moving trailer. These intermediaries control the cable's path and tension, preventing direct contact with damaging surfaces and distributing mechanical stresses.
2Reliability
If a line store with a flat pulley is used to tighten the supply line under spring tension, then the cable is tightened, but the winding circumference is small causing considerable bending stress and pre-damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cable routing into multiple sections with different functions: a drum section for winding, guide elements for direction control, and tensioning sections. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function, with the drum providing a larger effective winding circumference than a flat pulley, reducing bending stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flat pulley surface to a three-dimensional drum structure with axial length. This dimensional change increases the effective winding circumference and distributes the bending stress over a larger area, reducing the stress concentration that occurs on flat pulleys.
3Reliability
If the line store is positioned below the trailer to tighten cables, then cable tension is maintained, but the ISO contour is not adhered to
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic tensioning devices that can adjust cable tension in response to movement rather than relying on fixed position-based tensioning. The tensioning devices are mounted in locations that comply with ISO contour requirements, and they actively maintain tension through spring mechanisms and adjustable mounting positions.
4Ease of operation
If the kingpin is rotatably mounted to allow power flow transmission, then bearing facilitates movement, but an additional moving component is introduced into the power flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotational function from the kingpin by providing a separate turntable mechanism. The kingpin itself remains fixed and non-rotating, maintaining a simple power flow path, while the turntable handles the rotational movement required for trailer coupling and uncoupling operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design reduces wear and tear, protects the cable outlet, and maintains the ISO contour, ensuring a low-wear and durable cable routing system with reduced risk of damage and improved mechanical integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (13a, 13b) acts on the second end (12) on each tensioning arm (10a, 10b)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an external line connection for a semitrailer of a semitrailer truck, comprising a frame structure (1) having a skid plate (3) closing off the underside (2a), on which plate a king pin (4) is arranged, and a connector bracket (5), arranged to be swivelable about the king pin (4), at least one line section (6) being led out of said bracket and being connectible to a power supply system of the semitrailer. The aim of the invention is to provide a low-wear external line connection from the connector bracket (5) to the semitrailer. For this purpose, the connector bracket (5) of the external line connection acts upon a turntable (7) which is swivelably received on the skid plate (3). At least one line section (6) is led out from the top (8) of the turntable (7) and rests on both sides of the turntable (7) in subsections (6a, 6b), the subsections (6a, 6b) being maintained under tensile stress via a prestressing device (9).