Trailer Axle Tube Fastening Device for Auxiliary Drive Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to provide a secure attachment and improved force distribution for auxiliary drives on trailers with lightweight, V-shaped support structures, which are prone to bending or breaking due to reduced material thickness and recesses, compromising the absorption of maneuvering forces.

Innovation Solution

A fastening and supporting device with a first support element on the axle tube housing connected to a second support element that receives the auxiliary drive's support arm, diverting forces into the trailer's support frame, including a second fastening device that supports the auxiliary drive on the longitudinal member, preventing damage through stable force introduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If the material thickness of the longitudinal member is reduced to achieve lightweight construction, then the weight of the trailer is reduced, but the support structure becomes weaker and can no longer absorb the forces occurring during maneuvering with the auxiliary drive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of trailerVSAvoidstrength of support structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple functional elements: the longitudinal member provides primary support, while the transverse member and fastening device provide localized reinforcement and force distribution. This segmentation allows the longitudinal member to be lighter while maintaining overall structural strength through coordinated action of all components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transverse member is positioned specifically at the location where the auxiliary drive is mounted, providing localized reinforcement only where forces are applied. This local quality approach allows the longitudinal member to be lighter overall while maintaining strength at the critical attachment point through the added transverse support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Weight of moving object

If the longitudinal members are arranged in a V-shape to optimize weight, then the weight of the trailer is reduced, but the distance between the longitudinal member and the trailer wheel increases, resulting in greater stress on the side member and attachment device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of trailerVSAvoidstress on side member
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The problem of increased cantilever length in V-shaped arrangements is solved by adding a transverse member that creates a new spatial dimension for force distribution. Instead of relying solely on the longitudinal member's distance from the wheel, the transverse member provides an additional path for force transfer, effectively reducing the bending moment on the longitudinal member.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the auxiliary drive is positioned in front of the axle in the direction of travel to improve maneuvering, then the maneuvering capability is improved, but the forces occurring during maneuvering are introduced into the longitudinal member at a greater distance, requiring stronger and heavier construction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaneuvering capabilityVSAvoidstrength of attachment device
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is segmented into multiple support elements: the longitudinal member provides the primary mounting structure, while the transverse member and fastening device provide secondary support and force distribution. This segmentation allows the auxiliary drive to be positioned optimally for maneuvering while distributing forces across multiple structural elements rather than concentrating them on a single overloaded component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3795460A1Fastening and supporting device and trailer
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 REICH KG REGEL UND SICHERHEITSTECHN
  • EP3795460A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3795460A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3795460A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a fastening and support device for attaching and supporting an auxiliary drive (40) to at least one element of a support frame (64) of a trailer, in particular a caravan, a boat trailer, a sales vehicle, a transport trailer, or a car transporter trailer, wherein the fastening and support device (10) comprises at least one first support element (18) arranged on an axle tube housing (12) for a shock absorber (22) of the trailer. The first support element (18) is connected to a second support element (34), the second support element (34) being designed to receive and support a support arm (38) of the auxiliary drive (40). The invention further relates to a trailer and a trailer support frame with at least one fastening and support device.