Liftable Trailer Deck Stabilizer for Wide Heavy-Vehicle Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-vehicle transport trailers are limited in carrying multiple heavy-duty vehicles due to weight and width constraints, which strain the support structure and limit clearance for structural reinforcements, leading to potential damage and inability to transport vehicles wider than the trailer.
Innovation Solution
A multi-vehicle transport trailer design featuring a chassis, decks with a lifting assembly and stabilizer assemblies, including support posts and slide members, that allow for the selective raising and lowering of decks to stabilize heavy-duty vehicles, enabling multiple vehicles to be carried without structural damage, by positioning the support posts within the deck width and allowing vehicles to traverse over them when raised.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If structural reinforcements are added to stabilize the decks when raised, then the reliability and strength of the support structure is improved, but the device complexity increases and the width available for vehicle transport is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into modular components: vertical support posts positioned laterally within the deck width, and horizontal cross members that connect the posts. This segmentation allows the reinforcement structure to be distributed throughout the deck rather than concentrated in one location, providing strength while maintaining vehicle clearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The support posts are positioned in the lateral dimension (within the deck width) rather than extending outward from the sides. This vertical/lateral positioning allows the reinforcement structure to occupy the vertical space above the vehicle rather than encroaching on the horizontal clearance, enabling vehicles to pass underneath when decks are lowered.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the deck is raised to enable vehicle traversal, then the ability to transport multiple vehicles is improved, but the stability of the deck under heavy load deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer assemblies are pre-positioned with support posts and cross members that engage with the deck structure before loading. When the deck is in the raised position, these stabilizers are already in place to prevent rotational and lateral movement, ensuring stability before heavy vehicles are positioned on the deck.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer assemblies act as intermediary elements between the deck and the external environment. The support posts and cross members transfer and distribute the heavy loads from vehicles across the entire deck structure and chassis, preventing localized stress concentrations that would cause instability.
3Length of moving object
If the support posts are positioned laterally within the deck width, then the clearance for heavy-duty vehicles is improved, but the structural support capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support posts are positioned at specific lateral locations within the deck width where they provide maximum structural support while maintaining clearance. The cross members connect these posts to create localized reinforcement zones that distribute loads efficiently without requiring the posts to extend to the deck edges.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure uses a composite arrangement of vertical support posts and horizontal cross members, creating a framework that combines the load-bearing capability of vertically positioned elements with the lateral stability of horizontally connected elements, achieving both strength and clearance.
4Productivity
If multiple heavy-duty vehicles are transported simultaneously, then the productivity of the trailer is improved, but the weight and forces on the support structure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizer assemblies with support posts and cross members function as counterbalancing structures that distribute the weight of multiple vehicles across the entire deck and chassis. The cross members act as leverage arms that transfer forces from loaded deck sections to the chassis frame, preventing localized overload.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting assembly with scissor linkage provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the deck to be raised or lowered based on loading conditions. When multiple vehicles are loaded, the deck can be raised to enable traversal onto the propulsion vehicle, and the stabilizer assemblies dynamically adjust to maintain stability throughout the movement.
Data Source
AI summary
A transport trailer includes a chassis, a deck, a lifting assembly, and a stabilizer assembly. The lifting assembly is mechanically coupled to the deck and the chassis and selectively raises and lowers the deck relative to the chassis. The stabilizer assembly includes a support post and a slide member. The support post is laterally disposed between first and second edges of the deck and extends from the chassis to a top end of the support post. The slide member is coupled to the deck and translates along a length of the support post as the deck is raised and lowered to stabilize the deck. An upper surface of the deck is above the top end of the support post when the deck is in a raised position and is below the top end of the support post when the deck is in a lowered position.