Swing-Arm Trailer Body Lowering for Ground-Level Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing trailers require tilting to load heavy equipment, which can be impractical for large or heavy loads, and there is a need for a trailer that can be lowered horizontally to ground level for easier loading and direct attachment to a load.

Innovation Solution

A trailer system with a trailer body that can swing to a lower or raised position while maintaining a substantially horizontal orientation, utilizing a suspension apparatus with suspension arms and a hoist mechanism with a winch device and flexible connector, allowing the trailer body to be lowered to ground level and raised for towing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the trailer body is tilted to load heavy equipment, then loading heavy equipment becomes easier, but the trailer body cannot maintain a horizontal orientation and the floor creates a steep climb

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading heavy equipmentVSAvoidhorizontal orientation of trailer body

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The trailer system separates the trailer body from the trailer frame, allowing independent movement. The trailer body can be lowered horizontally relative to the frame while the frame remains stationary, enabling loading without tilting the entire trailer assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The trailer body is made dynamically movable relative to the trailer frame through the suspension apparatus. This allows the body to transition between raised and lowered positions while maintaining horizontal orientation, adapting to loading needs without compromising stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If the trailer body is lowered to ground level, then direct attachment to load becomes possible and loading becomes easier, but the trailer body cannot be raised back for towing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedirect attachment to loadVSAvoidability to raise and lower trailer body

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension apparatus provides dynamic, bidirectional movement of the trailer body. The body can be lowered to ground level for direct load attachment, then raised back to the raised position for towing, enabling both loading convenience and towing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The trailer system achieves multi-functionality by combining a lowered position for easy loading/direct attachment with a raised position for towing. The same suspension apparatus enables both functions, making the system versatile for different operational modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If traditional tilting method is used, then the trailer can be loaded, but the entire trailer body must be tilted over the wheel axles creating a steep climb

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading efficiencyVSAvoidtilting mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the trailer into separate functional components: the trailer frame with wheels remains stationary while the trailer body moves independently via the suspension apparatus. This eliminates the need for complex whole-trailer tilting mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of static tilting over fixed axles, the suspension apparatus provides dynamic, controlled movement of the trailer body. This enables gradual lowering to a horizontal position at ground level, creating a gradual ascent rather than a steep climb.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables easy loading and unloading of heavy equipment by lowering the trailer body to a horizontal position at ground level, and allows direct attachment to a load, facilitating efficient towing without the need for a traditional trailer floor.

Implementation Method 1

The suspension arms allow the trailer body to swing forward and backward to raise and lower, respectively, the trailer body on the trailer frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

The winch device can raise and lower the trailer body with the flexible connector. When the flexible connector is under tension from the winch device, the trailer body can be pulled proximally

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical tension: Tension

Implementation Method 3

Advantageously, the suspension arms can control the swing motion and maintain the trailer body in a substantially horizontal position or orientation as the trailer body swings upward and downward

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical guidance:

Data Source

PatentUS12330544B2Trailer system and methods of use

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 WILLIAMSON RICHARD LESLIE

AI summary

A trailer system and method of use for towing a load are provided. The trailer system include a trailer body supported by suspension arms on a trailer frame. A hoist mechanism having a winch device and a flexible connector can raise and lower the trailer body by swinging on the suspension arms, which maintain the trailer body in a substantially horizontal orientation during the swing. A modular wheel suspension can be attached to the trailer system.