Trailer Leveling Assemblies with Rack and Pawl Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer leveling systems are often cumbersome, expensive, and difficult to operate manually, especially on uneven terrain, and may require hydraulic or pneumatic actuators that are costly to maintain and deploy, particularly in remote locations without power.
Innovation Solution
A trailer leveling system featuring telescopically adjustable support assemblies with pivotably connected posts and racks, along with a pawl mechanism that allows for intuitive and manual adjustment of the trailer's pitch and tilt, enabling convenient and intuitive leveling without the need for complex hydraulic or pneumatic systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If hydraulic or pneumatic actuators are used for trailer leveling, then the leveling precision and automation are improved, but the device complexity and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex hydraulic or pneumatic actuator systems with a simpler mechanical telescopic support assembly system. The telescopic supports use basic mechanical components (telescopic tubes, pins, and ground contact surfaces) to achieve leveling through manual adjustment, eliminating the need for complex fluid power systems while maintaining the core leveling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the complex hydraulic or pneumatic actuator components from the trailer leveling system, retaining only the essential mechanical support structure. By taking out the complex actuation system and replacing it with simple telescopic mechanical supports, the patent reduces system complexity while preserving the leveling capability.
2Ease of operation
If manual adjustment mechanisms are simplified, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adjustment precision and stability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the leveling adjustment into discrete incremental steps using the telescopic support design. Each telescopic support can be adjusted to different extended lengths, providing discrete positioning options that are easy to manipulate manually while achieving sufficient leveling precision for practical applications on uneven terrain.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescopic support assemblies provide dynamic adjustability, allowing the operator to extend or retract the supports as needed to achieve the desired leveling position. This dynamic mechanical adjustment system maintains ease of operation while achieving adequate stability and precision through the inherent rigidity of the telescopic structure when locked in position.
3Device complexity
If telescopic support assemblies are used instead of actuators, then the maintenance costs and device complexity are reduced, but the speed of leveling adjustment may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The use of multiple telescopic support assemblies distributed at different locations on the trailer allows for parallel adjustment operations. While each individual support adjusts manually, the segmented system enables simultaneous adjustment of multiple points, improving the overall leveling speed compared to a single-point actuation system.
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
The system allows for quick, incremental, and convenient adjustment of trailer levelness on uneven terrain, reducing operator effort and maintenance costs, while being modular and adaptable to various trailer configurations.
Implementation Method 1
A rack is formed along at least one side of the post. A pawl is pivotably connected to the tube and is oriented to cooperate with the rack to selectively prohibit longitudinal translation of the tube in an overlapping direction relative to the post when the pawl is engaged with the rack.
Implementation Method 2
support assemblies that are constructed to be pivotably connected to a frame of a trailer
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for manipulating the pitch and/or tilt of a trailer relative to a supporting surface. A trailer leveling system includes one or more telescopically adjustable support assemblies that are constructed to be pivotably connected to a frame of a trailer. Each support assembly includes a post that is pivotably connected to a trailer frame. A rack is formed along at least one side of the post. A tube slideably cooperates with the post and supports a pawl that cooperates with the rack to allow translation of the tube relative to the post in a first direction and selectively prevent translation of the tube relative to the post in the opposing direction.