Adjustable Swing Arm Trailer for Oversized Load Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heavy-duty trailers face challenges in transporting oversized loads due to limitations in load capacity, dimensions, and maneuverability, particularly in navigating varying road types and infrastructure, such as bridges and narrow roads, without an effective steering mechanism for improved control.
Innovation Solution
The system comprises a center support with swing arms and dollies, allowing for a higher load capacity and flexibility in dimensions, with the ability to adjust the length and height of the trailer, and includes a steering mechanism for better control through curves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a standard platform trailer is used, then the trailer structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the load capacity is limited to 50,000-80,000 lbs and length is limited to 26-75 ft
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer is divided into modular components including multiple swing arms (left and right sides), separate dollies, and a central support beam. Each swing arm assembly can be independently configured, allowing the trailer to be segmented into functional units that can be adjusted or reconfigured based on load requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The swing arms are designed to be adjustable in position and angle, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of the trailer's wheelbase and overall dimensions. The dollies can be positioned at different locations along the swing arms, enabling the trailer to adapt its geometry to accommodate various load sizes and weights beyond standard trailer limitations.
2Productivity
If the trailer length is extended to accommodate larger loads, then the load capacity increases, but the trailer becomes difficult to transport through narrow roads and streets
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer features adjustable swing arms that can be repositioned to change the effective wheelbase length. When not in use or when navigating narrow areas, the swing arms can be folded or repositioned to reduce the trailer's overall length and width, improving maneuverability while maintaining full load capacity when extended.
Solution Approach 2:
The trailer's dimensional parameters (length, width, wheelbase) are made variable through the adjustable swing arm mechanism. The system can transition between compact configuration for narrow road navigation and extended configuration for transporting oversized loads, effectively changing its physical parameters based on operational requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the trailer width is increased to accommodate broader loads, then the load accommodation improves, but the steering control through curves deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer uses separate left and right swing arms with independent dollies, allowing each side to be adjusted independently. This segmentation enables the trailer to maintain a narrower effective width for steering while still accommodating broader loads by positioning the load centrally or using the extended swing arms only when needed for load support.
Solution Approach 2:
The swing arms can be dynamically adjusted during operation or between trips. For navigating curves, the swing arms can be positioned closer to the centerline, effectively reducing the trailer's width and improving steering control. When transporting broad loads, the swing arms can be extended outward to provide the necessary support span.
4Ease of manufacture
If fixed wheelbase trailers are used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the usage is limited to cargo with specific dimensions and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer employs adjustable swing arms with multiple positioning points along the central beam. The dollies can be mounted at different locations on the swing arms, creating a variable wheelbase that can be customized for different cargo configurations. This dynamic adjustability allows the same trailer to accommodate various cargo dimensions and weight distributions without requiring multiple specialized trailers.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable swing arm and dolly system creates a universal trailer platform that can handle multiple cargo types and configurations. Rather than being limited to a fixed wheelbase designed for one specific cargo type, the trailer can be reconfigured to serve multiple functions and accommodate diverse loads, increasing its versatility while maintaining reasonable manufacturing complexity.
5Productivity
If extended arms are added to increase load capacity, then the weight capacity increases, but the vehicle width increases making it difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The swing arms are designed to be collapsible or repositionable, allowing the trailer to transition between a wide configuration for maximum load capacity and a narrow configuration for transport through restricted areas. The extended arms providing increased weight capacity can be folded inward or repositioned closer to the centerline when not needed, effectively reducing the vehicle's width without compromising the structural capability to handle heavy loads when extended.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved system for transporting an over-sized load is described herein. In one embodiment, the system can comprise a center support, a plurality of swing arms, and a dolly. The center support can comprise a beam. The swing arms can be mounted to the left side and the right side of the beam. The dolly can be mounted to each of the swing arms.