Trailer Motorized Drive with Pressure Sensor Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailers are difficult to move manually, especially on uneven or sloping terrain, requiring assistance from a towing vehicle or a capable driver, especially for heavy trailers.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating pressure or force sensors connected to the front tow bar and rear wall that activate a motor-driven system to assist manual movement, with a coupling sensor to prevent accidental activation when coupled to a vehicle, and adjustable drive support based on sensor signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the trailer is designed without a motorized drive system, then the device complexity is low and manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates when manual movement is required on uneven or sloping terrain
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer activates its own motorized drive system automatically when manual movement is detected through pressure sensors on the tow bar, eliminating the need for external assistance and enabling self-service relocation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces pure manual mechanical pushing/pulling with an electric motorized drive system that assists manual operation, substituting mechanical effort with electromechanical assistance
2Ease of operation
If a motorized drive system is added to assist manual movement, then the ease of operation improves, but the device complexity increases and accidental activation during towing may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pressure sensors on the tow bar to detect activation forces and implements feedback control through control means that distinguish between manual relocation forces and normal towing forces, preventing accidental activation
Solution Approach 2:
Pressure sensors act as intermediaries between the physical act of pulling/pushing and the motorized drive activation, providing a detection mechanism that filters out normal towing forces while detecting genuine relocation attempts
3Ease of operation
If pressure sensors are installed on the tow bar to detect manual movement, then the ease of operation improves through automatic drive activation, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical linkages or manual switches with simple pressure/force sensors that automatically detect when manual relocation is needed, simplifying the control interface while adding intelligent detection capability
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 easy manual movement of trailers by one person in various conditions, ensuring safe and controlled operation by preventing accidental motor activation during towing.
Implementation Method 1
the activation sensor is a pressure sensor or a force sensor which is connected to the front tow bar or the rear wall and measures the pressure or force applied to the front tow bar or the rear wall
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A trailer 1 is provided with a drive with two electric motors 17 which are directly connected to the wheels and control means 19 for controlling the electric motors. The trailer is furthermore provided with a plurality of activation sensors which are present on the front tow bar 9 or against the rear wall, respectively. The control means are embodied such that they control the drive in dependence on a signal coming from the activation sensors. In this case the trailer is designed such that it can be pulled and/or pushed manually, whereby it is intended to be pulled manually by the front tow bar and/or pushed by the rear wall. The activation sensors are therefore designed as a pressure sensor or a force sensor respectively. The control means 19 are provided with adjusting means 25 with which the degree to which the drive drives the trailer can be adjusted in dependence on the signal coming from the sensors.