Tension Bar Assembly for Bulk Tank Trailer Weight Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bulk tank trailers have heavy frames that reduce gas mileage and cargo capacity due to their substantial structure, which is necessary for mounting hoppers and supporting the weight of bulk materials.

Innovation Solution

A tension bar assembly is used to connect hoppers in a bulk tank trailer, distributing the weight more efficiently and reducing the need for a rigid, heavy frame by providing structural support between hoppers, allowing for a lighter trailer design while maintaining the necessary structural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a substantial frame is used to mount hoppers and support bulk materials, then structural strength is improved, but trailer weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidtrailer weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure is segmented into discrete components: individual hoppers with integrated hopper frames, and separate tension bars connecting these units. This allows each component to be optimized independently and eliminates the need for a continuous heavy frame structure, reducing overall weight while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Tension bars serve as intermediary elements connecting adjacent hoppers, transferring loads between units without requiring a rigid continuous frame. This mediator approach allows the hoppers to be supported individually while sharing structural loads, achieving strength with reduced weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a heavy frame structure is used, then structural integrity is improved, but gas mileage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidgas mileage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the frame into discrete hopper units connected by tension bars, the overall vehicle weight is reduced. This weight reduction directly improves fuel efficiency (gas mileage) while the tension bar connections maintain sufficient structural integrity for safe operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If a heavy frame structure is used, then structural integrity is improved, but cargo capacity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidcargo capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented frame design with tension bars reduces the weight of the structural components themselves. This weight reduction increases the payload capacity (cargo capacity) while the tension bar connections maintain the structural integrity needed to safely transport bulk materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11491905B2Pneumatic tank with tension bar

Publication Date: 2022.11.08 MAC TRAILER MFG

AI summary

A tank trailer may include a plurality of hoppers and a tension bar assembly extending between the hoppers.