Trailer Mounting Device for Auxiliary Drive

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mounting devices for auxiliary drives on trailers often compromise the structural integrity of the support frame and reduce ground clearance, making them unsafe and difficult to maneuver, especially when uncoupled.

Innovation Solution

A mounting device with interconnected holding elements that rest on both sides of the upright central web of the longitudinal beam, featuring a guide stub and corresponding opening, lower profile legs, and support struts to secure the auxiliary drive without altering the structural properties of the support frame, ensuring minimal reduction in ground clearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the auxiliary drive is fastened to the support frame using conventional mounting devices, then the auxiliary drive is securely attached, but the structural integrity of the support frame is compromised and ground clearance is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachment of auxiliary driveVSAvoidstructural integrity of support frame
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting device is divided into multiple holding elements (first holding element with retaining plate and guide stub, second holding element with retaining plate and opening) that can be separately positioned and connected. This segmentation allows the attachment system to distribute loads across multiple points on the longitudinal member without concentrating stress that would compromise the support frame's structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding elements are designed to rest on both sides of the upright central web of the longitudinal member, utilizing the third dimension (depth/thickness) of the frame structure. This bilateral positioning provides secure attachment while maintaining ground clearance, as the mounting device extends laterally rather than vertically downward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the auxiliary drive is mounted close to the ground for stability, then the attachment is secure, but ground clearance is reduced making maneuvering difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidmaneuverability of uncoupled trailer
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting device utilizes the lateral dimension by positioning holding elements on both sides of the central web, allowing secure attachment without vertical proximity to the ground. This dimensional approach enables the auxiliary drive to be mounted at an optimal height for ground clearance while maintaining attachment security through bilateral support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional mounting devices are used to attach the auxiliary drive, then attachment is achieved, but the support frame undergoes disadvantageous changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment capabilityVSAvoidstructural properties of longitudinal member
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting device is segmented into multiple holding elements that can be independently positioned and connected to the longitudinal member. This segmentation allows for attachment without requiring major modifications to the support frame, as each holding element can be separately secured to existing structural features like the central web.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The holding elements act as intermediary components between the auxiliary drive and the support frame. These intermediaries transfer loads and forces without requiring direct attachment that would compromise the frame's structural properties, maintaining the original design integrity while achieving secure mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3290307B1Installation device and trailer
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 REICH KG REGEL UND SICHERHEITSTECHN
  • EP3290307B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3290307B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3290307B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a mounting device for attaching and supporting an auxiliary drive (24) to a longitudinal member (40) of a support frame (38) of a trailer (36), in particular a caravan, a boat trailer, a sales vehicle, a transport trailer or a car transport trailer, wherein the mounting device (10) comprises at least two connectable retaining elements (12, 14) and the retaining elements (12, 14) are designed such that, in the mounted state, they each bear at least partially against an upright central web (42) of the longitudinal member (40) with a retaining plate (16, 18) on both sides.One of the retaining plates (16) has a guide sleeve (20) for receiving a support arm (32) of the auxiliary drive (24), and the other retaining plate (18) has a corresponding opening (22) for receiving and allowing the passage of the guide sleeve (20), wherein the guide sleeve (20) is arranged on the retaining plate (16) such that it can pass through a corresponding opening (48) in the central web (42) of the longitudinal beam (40). The invention further relates to a trailer and a support frame of a trailer with at least one mounting device.