Semi-Trailer Axle Module with Drive Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long and heavy tractor-trailer combinations face challenges with single drive axle limitations, leading to increased tire wear and traction issues, necessitating the use of 6x4 tractor units, which affects energy efficiency and driving dynamics.
Innovation Solution
A semi-trailer design featuring two independent trailer units, including a trailer body and a trailer axle module with a drive unit that can be automatically activated based on driving conditions, allowing for enhanced energy efficiency and maneuverability through a fifth wheel plate-kingpin connection and locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single drive axle is used in the tractor unit, then the structure is simpler, but tire wear increases and traction limit is reached prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The drive function is segmented between the tractor unit and the trailer axle module. The trailer axle module is divided into independent drive units that can be selectively activated, separating the drive function from the trailer body structure. This allows the system to use simpler single-axle tractor units while maintaining reliable traction through the modular trailer drive units.
2Reliability
If 6x4 tractor units are used to increase traction, then tire wear and traction limits are improved, but energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive units in the trailer axle module are designed to be dynamically activated or deactivated based on driving conditions. The control unit determines when drive power is needed and activates only the necessary number of drive units, allowing the system to achieve reliable traction when needed while maintaining energy efficiency during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the drive units by activating or deactivating them based on driving conditions. This allows the same physical hardware to operate at different power levels, achieving high traction when required while consuming less energy during standard operation.
3Reliability
If drive units are permanently engaged, then traction is consistently improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive units operate periodically rather than continuously. The control unit activates drive units only during specific driving conditions that require additional traction, such as acceleration or inclines, and deactivates them during normal cruising. This periodic activation maintains reliable traction when needed while minimizing energy consumption during non-critical periods.
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
Improves energy efficiency and driving dynamics by enabling the trailer axle module to function as a drive axle only when needed, reducing tire wear and enhancing traction, while allowing for improved maneuverability and energy storage through an integrated energy storage unit.
Implementation Method 1
the trailer axle module has an energy storage unit
Data Source
Figure 2~3
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Figure 7~9
AI summary
The invention relates to a road vehicle-traction combination, comprising a tractor unit, in particular a semi-trailer tractor unit, and a trailer as a semi-trailer, wherein the trailer has a trailer body and at least two axles arranged in the rear body area.According to the invention, the trailer body (4) is designed in the form of a swap body that can be mounted on stands, a self-propelled trailer axle module (5; 26; 34) is provided which can be coupled and uncoupled from below to the trailer body (4) in the lower rear area of the body and which can be locked, on which the at least two axles (9, 10; 31, 32, 33; 35) are arranged, and at least one axle of the trailer axle module (5; 26; 34) is designed as a drive module and temporarily a drive axle (9; 31) of the train combination (1) with a drive unit that can be automatically controlled and switched on for a limited time by means of a control unit depending on the determined driving operating state and the determined drive requirement of the train combination (1).