Servo-Controlled Wind Deflector Adjustment for Tractor Trailers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wind deflector adjustment systems for tractor semitrailers require manual operation from the cabin roof, which is hazardous and inconvenient, especially in adverse weather conditions, and lacks effective visual alignment verification, particularly for trailers of varying dimensions.
Innovation Solution
A servo-controlled system using electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic motors for adjusting wind deflectors, with manual control from the cabin and remote control options, combined with radar or sensor feedback for precise alignment, allowing operators to adjust spoilers without climbing and ensuring correct positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of wind deflectors is performed from the cabin roof, then the spoiler can be adjusted to match trailer dimensions, but operator safety deteriorates and operational convenience worsens due to hazardous roof access requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with automated motor-driven mechanisms (electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic motors) that adjust the wind deflector orientation remotely from the ground, eliminating the need for operators to access the cabin roof and thereby resolving the safety contradiction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary adjustment mechanism located at the ground level that mediates between the operator and the wind deflector, allowing remote operation through mechanical linkages or motorized systems while maintaining adjustment precision without requiring roof access
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of wind deflectors is performed from the cabin roof, then the spoiler can be adjusted to match trailer dimensions, but operational convenience deteriorates due to difficult access and adverse weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes manual roof-based mechanical adjustment with automated motor-driven systems controlled from the ground or cabin interior, eliminating the need for operators to physically access difficult-to-reach areas and thereby dramatically improving operational convenience
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary positioning and adjustment of wind deflectors before final operation, allowing operators to prepare the aerodynamic configuration in advance from convenient locations, thus improving ease of operation
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustment is performed from the cabin roof, then spoiler orientation can be modified, but visual alignment precision deteriorates due to unsuitable operator positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces visual alignment aids such as indicators, markers, or sensor-based feedback systems that act as intermediaries between the wind deflector position and the operator's perception, enabling precise alignment verification from ground level without requiring the operator to be positioned on the roof
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms (visual indicators, sensors, or alignment markers) that provide real-time information about wind deflector positioning, allowing operators to achieve precise alignment from convenient locations by monitoring feedback signals rather than direct visual estimation from difficult positions
Data Source
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AI summary
Device for adjusting the orientation of an aerodynamic add-on (SR, SL) of a cabin (C) of a tractor (TR) as a function of a difference in aerodynamic size between said cabin and a trailer (T) connected to the respective trailer (TR) of said cabin, the device being characterized in that it comprises servo-controlled activation means (D).