Trailer Auxiliary Drive Mounting for Chassis Load Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to provide a secure attachment and improved force introduction for auxiliary drives on trailers, particularly in lightweight constructions, which are prone to chassis failure due to reduced material thickness and changing regulatory requirements, such as less powerful towing vehicles and fuel efficiency demands.
Innovation Solution
The auxiliary drive features a fastening and supporting device arranged on the side and/or bottom wall of the trailer's living or working structure, using screw, clamping, or plug-in connections to securely attach the drive, ensuring force absorption without compromising ground clearance, and can be adapted for various longitudinal beam configurations, including self-supporting structures and those on support frames made of light metals or fiber-reinforced plastics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If lightweight construction measures are implemented (thinner materials), then weight savings are achieved, but the chassis becomes unable to absorb maneuvering forces leading to failure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the force absorption function from the chassis to the living or working structure. The fastening and supporting device is arranged on the side and/or bottom wall of the living or working structure, transferring the load-bearing responsibility to this structure which is designed to handle maneuvering forces, while the chassis can remain lightweight.
2Reliability
If stronger fastening and support device is used to absorb maneuvering forces, then attachment security is improved, but weight savings are reduced or eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
The living or working structure serves multiple functions: it provides the living/working space and simultaneously acts as the force absorption structure for maneuvering. The fastening and supporting device utilizes this dual-function structure, eliminating the need for separate heavy reinforcement while maintaining attachment security.
3Ease of operation
If auxiliary drive is positioned in front of the axle, then maneuvering capability is improved, but forces on the side member increase requiring heavier construction
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening and supporting device acts as an intermediary between the auxiliary drive and the living or working structure. It transfers and distributes the forces generated by the auxiliary drive (positioned in front of the axle for improved maneuvering) to the living or working structure, which is designed to absorb these forces, preventing side member failure.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an auxiliary drive for a trailer, in particular a caravan, a boat trailer, a sales trailer, a transport trailer, or a car transporter trailer, wherein the auxiliary drive (12) comprises at least one drive element (14) which can engage with a running surface (54) of a trailer wheel (22) and at least one mounting and support device (10) for mounting and supporting the auxiliary drive (12) on the trailer. The mounting and support device (10) is arranged on a side and/or bottom wall (18, 20) and/or a transition area (52) between the side and bottom wall (18, 20) and/or on at least one intermediate element (42) of a living or working body (16) of the trailer, which is arranged on the side and/or bottom wall (18, 20) and/or the transition area (52). The invention further relates to a trailer with at least one auxiliary drive.