Container Semi-Trailer Joint With Extended Connecting Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional joints for container semi-trailers with extreme lengths face high stress on connecting bolts, leading to deformation or failure due to inadequate rigidity and uneven force distribution, which compromises the reliability and service life of the connection.
Innovation Solution
The joint design extends connecting plates to form extensions with additional fasteners and incorporates a closed box-like frame structure, increasing the number of bolts from 6 to 8 and enhancing the rigidity and strength of the connection, thereby reducing shearing and bending stress on bolts and improving the reliability and service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional joints with six bolts are used to connect segmented main beams, then the structure is simple and manufacturing cost is low, but the bolts experience high stress leading to deformation or failure
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting plate is segmented into multiple parts (first connecting plate and second connecting plate) with extensions that create additional bolt holes. This segmentation allows the force to be distributed across more bolts (increased from 6 to 8 or more), reducing stress on each individual bolt while maintaining overall connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting plate extends in the longitudinal direction of the main beam, adding a new dimension to the connection structure. This extension creates additional bolt holes that were not present in the conventional single plate design, enabling better force distribution without significantly increasing structural complexity.
2Strength
If conventional connecting plates are used, then manufacturing is simple, but the plates have low rigidity and cannot withstand alternating stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting plate is divided into multiple segments (first connecting plate and second connecting plate) connected by bolts. This segmentation allows each plate to be manufactured separately with standard processes, while the assembled structure achieves higher rigidity through the distributed bolt connection and extension geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint structure combines multiple materials and components (connecting plates, extensions, bolts, and main beam segments) into a composite assembly. This composite structure achieves superior rigidity and stress resistance compared to a single monolithic plate, while each component remains manufacturable using conventional processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A joint and a main beam of a container semi-trailer provided with the joint. The joint includes a first connecting plate disposed on a connecting end of a first main beam of the container semi-trailer, wherein at least one side of the first connecting plate extends outwardly and forms a first extension, first connecting holes are disposed on the first connecting plate and the first extension; a second connecting plate is disposed on the connecting end of a second main beam of the container semi-trailer, wherein at least one side extends outwardly and forms a second extension, second connecting holes corresponding to the first connecting holes are disposed on the second connecting plate and the second extension; and fasteners are inserted into the first and second connecting holes and fastened to connect the connecting ends of the two main beams to form a complete main beam.