Sliding Rail Coupling Arm for High-Load Semitrailer Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing coupling systems for tractor units and semi-trailers face challenges in withstanding increased loads due to bending moments, particularly when the length of the coupling component increases, and often require complex modifications or have limited load-bearing capacity.
Innovation Solution
A coupling component with a pivotable and sliding connection system, utilizing a pivot-side and rail-side connection areas, allowing for improved force distribution and attachment without a turntable, featuring a rail that extends in a semicircular or straight configuration, with optional telescopic mechanisms for enhanced stability and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the coupling component is connected via a single pivot point or turntable, then the structure is simpler, but the load-bearing capacity is limited especially under increased bending moment
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is divided into two separate connection areas: a pivot-side connection area for rotational movement and a rail-side connection area for translational guidance. This segmentation allows each connection area to specialize in handling specific forces, with the pivot area managing rotational loads and the rail area providing structural support against bending moments, thereby increasing overall load-bearing capacity without requiring a complex turntable structure.
2Length of moving object
If the coupling component length is increased, then the guidance capability is improved, but the bending moment and load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The rail acts as an intermediary element between the coupling component and the semi-trailer frame. The rail-side connection area engages with the rail to provide translational guidance and support, effectively distributing and reducing the bending moment forces that would otherwise be concentrated in the coupling component. This allows for longer coupling components without proportionally increasing the bending moment loads.
3Ease of operation
If the coupling component is pivotally mounted to allow alignment, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability under load decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling component's connection is segmented into two functional areas: the pivot-side connection area enables rotational alignment movements for ease of operation, while the rail-side connection area provides translational guidance and structural stability. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both ease of operation through pivoting and coupling stability through the constrained rail engagement, with each connection area optimizing for its specific function.
Data Source
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AI summary
A coupling component (1), in particular extension arm, for an interface region (S) between a semitrailer and a tractor unit, which are releasably connectable to each other in the interface region (S) via a pin element (9), comprising a pin-side connecting region (10) for the pivotable mounting of the coupling component (1) on the pin element (9) and a rail-side connecting region (20) for the slidable mounting along a translation direction of the coupling component (1) on a rail (2) of the semitrailer.