Three-Pivot Drawbar Layout for Heavy Trailer Steerability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Towing vehicles with rigid chassis experience difficulty in maneuverability and steerability when towing heavy trailers due to the large turning radius and lever arm effect, which can cause the front wheels to lift off the ground, especially when hauling heavy loads uphill, necessitating additional weights that increase the overall mass and fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
A towing arrangement with a drawbar system that includes three separate pivots - a transverse, vertical, and longitudinal pivot - to distribute the towing force more effectively, keeping the front wheels grounded and improving steerability by locating the pivot point below the chassis, allowing the trailer to tilt and conform to ground form.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a conventional rigid tow bar is used, then structural strength is maintained, but flexibility and comfort are reduced due to road imperfections being transmitted directly to the towing vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible elements including rubber buffers and spring mechanisms within the tow bar assembly. These flexible components absorb vibrations and shocks from road imperfections while maintaining the structural integrity of the rigid tow bar, thus resolving the contradiction between strength and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates buffers and shock-absorbing elements in advance within the tow bar structure. These elements are pre-positioned to cushion impacts and vibrations before they reach the towing vehicle, preventing harmful transmissions while maintaining structural strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If a fixed, non-adjustable tow bar is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different trailers and towing scenarios is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable length mechanisms and configurable connection points on the tow bar. These dynamic features allow the tow bar to be adjusted for different trailer sizes and towing scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, balancing manufacturing ease with adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The tow bar is divided into modular sections with standardized connection interfaces. This segmentation allows for easy adjustment of length and configuration while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized components, enabling adaptability to different trailers.
3Strength
If heavy-duty materials are used throughout the entire tow bar, then strength and durability are improved, but weight increases which affects fuel efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heavy-duty materials and reinforced structures only at critical load-bearing points and high-stress areas of the tow bar. Other sections use lighter materials, optimizing the balance between strength/durability and weight to improve fuel efficiency while maintaining necessary strength.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
The invention relates to a towing arrangement (10) for a towing earth-moving vehicle (12), the towing earth-moving vehicle (12) comprising a towing point (24) fitted under its chassis (14), which towing arrangement (10) includes a drawbar (26) arranged to be pivoted to the towing vehicle's (12) towing point (24) and a second end (29) comprising the drawbar's (26) towing point (30) for the device (100) to be towed, a first pivot (32) for pivoting the drawbar (26) under the rear axle (20) to the towing vehicle's (12) towing point (24) formed under the towing vehicle's (12) chassis (14), which first pivot (32) is in the transverse direction of the chassis (14), a second pivot (34) fitted to the drawbar's (26) second end (29), which second pivot (34) is vertical and arranged to transmit the load of the trailer (56) being towed rigidly to the first pivot (32), and a third pivot (44), located at one end (28, 29) of the drawbar (26), equipped with a shaft in the towing vehicle's (12) longitudinal direction, thus permitting the device (100) to tilt in the towing vehicle's (12) transverse direction, in which the towing arm (64) is rigidly attached to the drawbar's (26) rearmost pivot (34, 44). The invention also relates to a system, a trailer, and a method.