Trailer Movable Axle for Weight Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Military vehicles are oversized to accommodate substantial equipment needs, impacting mobility, cost, and safety, particularly in desert operations where compact and maneuverable vehicles are required, and trailers are used to enhance loading capacity while maintaining mobility, but existing trailers do not efficiently distribute weight for optimal autonomous and towed travel modes.
Innovation Solution
A trailer design that allows for longitudinal movement of the load axle relative to the chassis, enabling weight distribution optimization for autonomous travel while ensuring the weight applied to the tractor unit does not exceed 200 kg in towed mode, using a movable axle carrier carriage, guide rails, and a lift axle that adjusts positions based on travel mode, allowing for improved maneuverability and braking performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If military vehicles are oversized to accommodate substantial equipment needs, then the loading capacity is improved, but the mobility and maneuverability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the military vehicle system into two separate components: a base vehicle and a detachable trailer. The trailer carries the substantial equipment load while the base vehicle maintains its original mobility characteristics. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high loading capacity without compromising the mobility of the primary vehicle.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extends the system in the longitudinal dimension by adding a trailer behind the base vehicle. This dimensional extension provides additional loading capacity without increasing the footprint or reducing the maneuverability of the base vehicle itself. The trailer becomes a separate load-bearing element in the longitudinal direction.
2Ease of operation
If the trailer is designed for autonomous travel mode, then the weight distribution on axles is optimized for maneuverability, but the weight applied to the towing machine increases beyond acceptable limits
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a movable load axle that can dynamically change its longitudinal position along the trailer chassis. In autonomous travel mode, the load axle moves to a first position that optimizes weight distribution for maneuverability. In towed mode, it moves to a second position that reduces the weight applied to the towing machine. This dynamic adjustment allows the same trailer to satisfy different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the positional parameter of the load axle along the longitudinal axis of the trailer based on the travel mode. By adjusting this parameter, the weight distribution characteristics of the trailer are modified to suit either autonomous or towed operation, thereby resolving the contradiction between maneuverability and towing weight limits.
3Reliability
If the load axle is positioned to optimize autonomous travel mode, then maneuverability and braking performance are improved, but the weight on the towing machine exceeds 200 kg limit in towed mode
Solution Approach 1:
The movable load axle enables dynamic reconfiguration of the trailer's weight distribution. When in autonomous mode, the axle is positioned to provide optimal braking performance and maneuverability. When coupled to a towing machine, the axle automatically or manually moves to a different position that ensures the weight applied to the towing machine does not exceed the 200 kg limit, thus resolving the contradiction between braking performance and towing weight constraints.
4Device complexity
If the trailer uses a fixed load axle position, then the structure is simpler, but it cannot optimize weight distribution for both autonomous and towed travel modes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a movable load axle that can be positioned at different locations along the trailer chassis. This dynamic element adds some structural complexity but enables the trailer to optimize weight distribution for both autonomous and towed travel modes, significantly improving adaptability and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable load axle mechanism allows the same trailer structure to perform multiple functions: optimizing weight distribution for autonomous travel and reducing weight on the towing machine during towed travel. This multi-functionality justifies the additional structural complexity by providing adaptability to different operational requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a trailer (2), configured to move between an autonomous movement mode and a towed movement mode, the trailer (2) comprising an axle (6, 8), by means of which the trailer (2) is configured to rest on the ground (S); a chassis (4), supported by the axle (6, 8); a load (20), supported by the chassis (4); and means enabling the trailer (2), when in autonomous movement mode, to move autonomously on the ground surface (S). According to the invention, the axle (6, 8) and the load (20) are movable relative to each other along a longitudinal direction (X2) of the trailer (2), the load axle (8) and the load (20) assuming, relative to each other along the longitudinal direction (X2), two distinct longitudinal positions, depending on whether the trailer (2) is in autonomous movement mode or in towed movement mode.