Tractor-Trailer Coupling Heads With Passive-Active Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing manual processes for coupling and uncoupling tractors from trailers are time-consuming and costly due to the need for human intervention, requiring complex and expensive systems for alignment and connection of air and electrical lines.
Innovation Solution
An automatic tractor-trailer coupling system with movable coupling heads on both the tractor and trailer, allowing for controlled degrees of freedom to align and connect air and electrical lines, featuring active motion control on the tractor side and passive motion on the trailer side, utilizing a combination of actuators, sensors, and alignment features to simplify the assembly and reduce complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual processes are used for coupling and uncoupling tractors from trailers, then human intervention is required, but the process becomes time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling system employs dynamic elements including a movable coupling head on the tractor side that can translate along the Z-axis and rotate about the Y-axis, and a trailer coupling head with passive vertical DOF. These dynamic capabilities enable automatic alignment and connection without complex active control on the trailer side, resolving the contradiction between automation and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces alignment features including alignment rails and alignment shafts that act as intermediaries to guide and constrain the coupling heads into proper alignment. These passive alignment mechanisms facilitate automated coupling by providing mechanical guidance without requiring complex active control systems on both sides.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex active motion control is implemented on both tractor and trailer sides, then alignment precision improves, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements active motion control only on the tractor side with two DOF (Z-axis translation and Y-axis rotation), while the trailer side provides passive vertical DOF. This asymmetric dynamic configuration achieves the necessary alignment precision while significantly reducing overall system complexity compared to fully active control on both sides.
Solution Approach 2:
Passive alignment features including alignment rails and mechanical constraints serve as intermediaries that guide the coupling heads into proper alignment. These passive mechanisms complement the active control on the tractor side, achieving high alignment precision without requiring complex active control on the trailer side.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for automatically coupling at least one of an air line or an electrical line of a tractor to a trailer that is configured to be pulled by the tractor. A moveable arm is mounted to the tractor and is configured to exhibit at least one degree of freedom (DOF) of motion relative to the tractor. The moveable arm carries at least one of an air line connector or an electrical connector. A trailer coupling head is mounted to the trailer and carries at least one of an air line connector or an electrical connector that are configured to be connected to the at least one of an air line connector or an electrical connector of the tractor. The trailer coupling head can be moved in at least a vertical DOF relative to the ground by the automatic coupling system.