Trailer Landing Gear Force Sensing for Reproducible Load Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing landing gear systems lack reproducible force measurement capabilities and fail to provide quantitative data on the forces transmitted, leading to instability and potential overloading issues.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a force measuring element, such as piezoelectric or capacitive sensors, into the support component to detect deformation and provide quantitative force measurements, combined with a spindle thrust bearing for precise force determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a spring element and mechanical button switching element are used to indicate landing gear loading, then the indicator provides a simple mechanical solution, but the values are not reproducible after frequent load changes and trigger the switching element even with insufficient force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spring element and button switching system with an electronic force measuring element (such as a load cell or strain gauge) that provides reproducible electrical signals proportional to the applied force, eliminating the unreliability of mechanical deformation indicators while maintaining ease of integration into the existing landing gear structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electronic sensing system between the mechanical landing gear components and the indicator display, using a force measuring element that converts mechanical force into electrical signals through a reliable and reproducible transduction process, thereby mediating between the physical load and the informational output
2Device complexity
If a mechanical button switching element is used, then the indicator structure remains simple, but no quantitative statement about the forces transmitted by the landing gear is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the binary mechanical switching element with an electronic force measuring element that outputs continuous analog or digital signals proportional to the magnitude of the applied force, thereby preserving structural simplicity while enabling quantitative measurement and transmission of force data to the operator interface
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the output parameter from a binary mechanical state (switched/not switched) to a continuous electrical parameter (voltage or current signal proportional to force), allowing the system to convey quantitative information about the magnitude of forces transmitted by the landing gear while maintaining relatively simple device architecture
3Measurement precision
If the force measuring element is attached to the support component, then deformation detection is improved, but the attachment method must ensure precise detection while withstanding operational loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the force measuring element with the existing support component structure, integrating the sensing element directly into the load-bearing path where it simultaneously measures deformation and contributes to the structural integrity, thereby achieving both precise measurement and durable load handling through unified design
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables secure and stable parking of trailers by ensuring firm ground contact and allows detection of trailer weight, preventing overloading and uneven load distribution.
Implementation Method 1
Piezoelectric sensors, for example, detect the change in electrical polarization and thus the occurrence of an electrical voltage in solid bodies when they are elastically deformed
Implementation Method 2
Alternatively, capacitive sensors can be used as force measuring elements
Implementation Method 3
The thrust bearing surrounds the spindle and ensures rotatable support of the spindle while simultaneously supporting the spindle, which is subject to pressure, in the axial direction against the spindle bearing plate
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to landing gear having a force-measuring element (10). The landing gear comprises an outer tube (20), an inner tube (30) movably mounted in the outer tube, and a transmission assembly (40) comprising at least one spindle (42) driven by a gear (41). The spindle is fed through a spindle opening (24) in a spindle bearing plate (21) which is in contact with the outer tube, and a spindle nut (31) fastened to the inner tube (30) is held on the spindle. The invention addresses the problem of providing landing gear that allows quantitative and reproducible measurement of the forces transmitted from the landing gear to the ground. The problem is solved in that the force-measuring element (10) is mounted on a support component (15, 21) disposed in the force flow between the spindle (42) and the outer tube (20).