Telescopic Subframe for Vacuum Tank Weight Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vacuum trucks face limitations in payload capacity due to axle weight restrictions, which restricts the amount of material that can be loaded and hauled, and existing securing mechanisms are inadequate for rollover incidents and crash protection, leading to inefficient operations and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A telescopic subframe system with hydraulic cylinders allows the vacuum tank to be slid longitudinally along the truck, adjusting weight distribution over axles to maximize payload capacity while incorporating hold-down structures for secure retention, meeting regulatory requirements for rollover protection and crash safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vacuum tank is secured only by a hinged connection at the rear, then the tank can be easily positioned and dumped, but the securing mechanism is insufficient for rollover incidents and does not meet regulatory requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple securing functions into a single integrated front hold-down structure that performs both rollover protection and crash protection functions, while also enabling weight distribution adjustment. This merging approach increases reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The front hold-down structure serves multiple purposes: it secures the tank against rollover, provides crash protection, enables weight distribution adjustment over axles, and facilitates tank positioning. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving high reliability through a single versatile mechanism rather than multiple separate systems.
2Reliability
If the rear bumper extends past the rear valves for crash protection, then crash protection is improved, but the tank contents are dumped onto the bumper requiring manual cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent shifts the crash protection function from the rear bumper to the front hold-down structure, changing the spatial dimension where protection is provided. By positioning the hold-down structure at the front with sufficient overhang, crash protection is maintained while preventing contents from contacting the rear bumper, thus eliminating the cleaning requirement.
3Productivity
If hydraulic vibrators are used to assist off-loading residue, then off-loading capability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The front hold-down structure with its telescopic subframe and hydraulic cylinder enables preliminary positioning and weight adjustment before off-loading operations. By optimizing weight distribution and tank position in advance, the system facilitates easier natural discharge of materials, reducing or eliminating the need for additional vibrators and auxiliary devices.
4Productivity
If the front axle bears only the minimum required weight, then the truck can operate in jurisdictions with lower rear axle restrictions, but payload capacity is severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic weight distribution system where the front hold-down structure can be telescopically adjusted to shift weight between the front and rear axles. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the truck to adapt to different jurisdictional requirements while maximizing payload capacity by optimizing axle load distribution according to specific route restrictions.
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
The system enables full utilization of allowable axle weights, increasing payload capacity and improving operational efficiency by allowing the vacuum tank to be positioned optimally based on jurisdictional weight restrictions, while ensuring secure retention and reduced maintenance through effective crash protection and easy adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
one or more hydraulic cylinders operable by a controller, each hydraulic cylinder attached to and operably coupling the truck and the vacuum tank
Implementation Method 2
The vacuum tank is hingedly attached at a rearward portion of the vacuum tank to each of the telescoping parts of the telescopic subframe... the controller is activated to cause an extension stroke of the hydraulic cylinders to cause the vacuum tank to slide rearward away from a front end of the truck
Data Source
AI summary
A system for varying the weight over one or more axles of a truck carrying a container, the container, the truck and the one or more axles being arranged in the manner of a vacuum tank mounted on a vacuum truck having a front axle and one or more rear axles, the system including: a telescopic subframe comprising one or more elongate structures, each elongate structure having a fixed part and a telescoping part telescopically engaged with the fixed part, and each fixed part fixedly attached to a mounting frame of the truck so that the telescopic subframe lays substantially horizontally on the mounting frame; and one or more hydraulic cylinders operable by a controller, each hydraulic cylinder attached to and operably coupling the truck and the vacuum tank.