Skirt System Mount Bracket Assembly for Trailer Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aerodynamic devices for semi-trailer trucks and trailers are inadequate in reducing wind flow resistance and drag, which affects fuel efficiency and energy conservation, particularly for hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A mount bracket assembly for a skirt system that includes a channel mount and an attachment assembly with adjustable angles to securely attach the skirt system to the trailer, allowing for improved airflow management and reduced drag by redirecting air flow around the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If aerodynamic devices are used to redirect and control air flow, then wind resistance and drag are reduced, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mount bracket assembly is divided into multiple functional components: channel mount for attaching to skirt system, attachment assembly for securing to trailer cross-members, top wall for structural support, mounting bracket for positioning, and toe clamp for additional securing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall aerodynamic effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket includes adjustable angle positioning with selectable orientations (0 degrees, +13.8 degrees, and -13.8 degrees), allowing the aerodynamic device to be dynamically adjusted to optimal angles for different operating conditions and trailer configurations, maximizing drag reduction while managing structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable angle mounting is implemented, then positioning optimization improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system provides discrete angle parameter options (0 degrees, +13.8 degrees, and -13.8 degrees) rather than continuous adjustment, allowing manufacturers to produce components with fixed precision angles that can be selected based on specific application requirements, balancing adaptability with manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket acts as an intermediary component between the rigid aerodynamic device and the trailer structure, absorbing and translating angular adjustments through its hinge and positioning mechanisms, thereby protecting the precision aerodynamic surfaces from direct exposure to manufacturing tolerances.
3Reliability
If secure attachment to cross-members is achieved, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment assembly merges multiple attachment functions into a single integrated structure: the channel mount attaches to the skirt system, the top wall provides structural connection, the mounting bracket secures to cross-members, and the toe clamp provides additional anchoring. This consolidation achieves high reliability through redundant attachment paths while avoiding the complexity of separate independent attachment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment assembly utilizes composite construction combining metal components for structural strength at critical attachment points with potentially lighter materials for non-critical sections, achieving the necessary reliability for secure attachment while managing overall component complexity and weight.
Data Source
AI summary
A mount bracket assembly for a skirt system of a trailer is disclosed. The mount bracket assembly includes a channel mount configured to be coupled to a portion of the skirt system and an attachment assembly configured to be coupled to a flange of a cross-member of the trailer. The attachment assembly includes a top wall coupled to the channel mount and a mounting bracket fixed to the top wall, the mounting bracket including two hook-shaped portions separated by a planar portion, wherein the two hook-shaped portions are each sized and configured to fit over the flange.