Flexible Tractor-Trailer Gap Cover for Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tractor-trailer combination trucks experience significant air drag in the gap between the tractor and trailer, leading to increased fuel consumption and pollution, for which existing solutions are inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an enclosure made of flexible web material, supported by spool assemblies and frame assemblies, which spans and covers the gap between the tractor and trailer, providing a smooth airflow surface by routing air flow over and around the trailer's forward-facing surface, reducing drag through tensioned fabric and adjustable components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a rigid aerodynamic fairing is used to cover the gap, then air drag is reduced effectively, but the device complexity and difficulty of attachment/detachment increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible fabric enclosure instead of a rigid fairing to cover the gap between tractor and trailer. This flexible shell maintains aerodynamic benefits while being easily deployable and storable, resolving the contradiction between drag reduction effectiveness and device complexity. The fabric material can conform to the gap geometry without requiring complex mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The aerodynamic cover is designed as a dynamic, deployable structure that can be extended when needed and retracted or stored when not in use. This dynamic characteristic allows the system to achieve drag reduction only when required, reducing overall device complexity and avoiding permanent installation of complex rigid structures.
2Reliability
If a complex attachment mechanism is used to secure the aerodynamic cover, then reliability of attachment is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into multiple independent attachment points distributed along the enclosure. Each point uses a simple fastening mechanism, and collectively they provide reliable attachment without requiring a single complex mechanical system. This segmentation allows easy attachment at multiple locations while maintaining overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary attachment mechanism that simplifies the connection between the flexible enclosure and the tractor-trailer combination. This intermediary system serves as a mediator between the soft cover and the rigid vehicle surfaces, enabling reliable attachment through simple, operator-friendly mechanisms rather than complex direct connections.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed aerodynamic structure is used, then drag reduction is maintained consistently, but adaptability to turns and different configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The aerodynamic cover is designed as a dynamic, flexible structure that can deform and adapt during tractor turns and configuration changes. Unlike fixed rigid fairings, this flexible enclosure moves with the vehicle dynamics, maintaining aerodynamic effectiveness while accommodating turns and different operational configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible fabric enclosure naturally adapts to changing geometries during turns and configuration changes. The thin film material can bend, stretch, and conform to different positions without compromising the aerodynamic seal, providing both consistent drag reduction and high adaptability to various operational states.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a permanent aerodynamic device is installed, then drag reduction is continuous, but ease of manufacture and deployment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The aerodynamic system is designed as a temporary, deployable structure rather than a permanent installation. This dynamic approach allows the cover to be manufactured in a compact form, deployed when needed for drag reduction, and stored when not required, significantly improving ease of manufacture and deployment compared to permanent rigid fairings.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible fabric enclosure can be manufactured in a compact, storable form and deployed as needed. This thin film structure requires less material and manufacturing complexity than rigid permanent fairings, while still providing effective drag reduction when deployed, thereby improving ease of manufacture and deployment.
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 device significantly reduces air drag, resulting in lower fuel consumption and pollution output while allowing for easy attachment and detachment, and accommodating turns by adjusting its configuration.
Implementation Method 1
A device is positioned between a tractor and a trailer to improve the aerodynamics in the gap defined between the tractor and the trailer
Data Source
AI summary
A device for reducing drag experienced at a gap between a trailer coupled to a tractor. The device includes an enclosure having a top portion extending between a first side portion and a second side portion. Forward portions of the first and second side portions of the enclosure are coupled to first and second spool assemblies, respectively, coupled to a rear portion of the tractor and configured to maintain tension in the first and second side portions, respectively, of the enclosure. Rearward portions of the top, first side, and second side portions of the enclosure are coupled to the trailer by a coupling assembly. The first side portion extends from the first spool assembly to the trailer. The second side portion of the enclosure extends from the second spool assembly to the trailer. The top portion covers at least a portion of the gap defined between the tractor and trailer.