Stretch Trailer Roller Mechanism Friction Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Stretch trailers face difficulties in adjusting length due to friction forces when moving sections relative to each other, making it challenging to achieve a predetermined length.
Innovation Solution
The trailer design includes a second section with a cart and a height-variable member that compresses or decompresses based on load, using a deformable pad, spring, hydraulic ram, or pneumatic airbag, and a friction reducing pad made of self-lubricating plastic, allowing the cart to roll along the cavity floor and adjust length by changing contact points with the floor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional rigid connection is used between trailer sections, then structural strength is maintained, but friction forces make it difficult to adjust the length
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer is divided into multiple sections (first section with cavity, second section with cart) that can move independently relative to each other. The second section includes a cart with wheels that can roll along the cavity floor, allowing the sections to be segmented for easy length adjustment while maintaining structural integrity through the cavity-cart connection system.
Solution Approach 2:
A height-variable member acts as an intermediary between the cart and the cavity floor. This member compresses or decompresses based on load, providing a flexible connection that reduces friction during movement while maintaining structural strength. The intermediary absorbs shocks and distributes loads, enabling easy adjustment without compromising strength.
2Ease of operation
If the cart contacts the cavity floor directly, then movement is simple, but point contact creates high stress and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The height-variable member introduces a vertical dimension to the contact interface between the cart and cavity floor. Instead of direct point contact, the cart interacts with the cavity floor through the height-variable member, which distributes the load over a larger area and reduces stress concentration, thereby improving reliability while maintaining movement simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The height-variable member changes the contact parameters between the cart and cavity floor by compressing or decompressing based on load. This dynamic parameter change allows the system to adapt to different operating conditions, distributing stress and preventing damage while maintaining simple cart movement along the cavity floor.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed height member is used, then structural stability is maintained, but the cart cannot adapt to load variations
Solution Approach 1:
The height-variable member transforms the static connection into a dynamic system that automatically adjusts to load variations. The member compresses under increased load and decompresses when load decreases, providing structural stability while adapting to different operating conditions. This dynamic behavior allows the cart to maintain stable contact with the cavity floor across varying loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The height-variable member is configured to automatically compress or decompress based on the load experienced by the trailer, without requiring external control systems. This self-adjusting mechanism provides both structural stability and load adaptability, allowing the cart to automatically adapt to varying conditions while maintaining a stable connection to the cavity floor.
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
This design reduces friction and facilitates easier adjustment of the trailer length by distributing the load and reducing stress on components, enabling smoother longitudinal movement and preventing damage from point contact.
Implementation Method 1
The height-variable member may be configured to compress or decompress based on a load experienced by the trailer
Implementation Method 2
The height-variable member may include a deformable pad and/or a spring
Implementation Method 3
The second section is configured to move longitudinally relative to the first section by the cart rolling along the floor of the cavity
Implementation Method 4
The second section further may include a friction reducing pad adjacent the cart. The friction reducing pad may include a plastic material. The plastic material may include a self-lubricating plastic material
Data Source
AI summary
A trailer moveable by a cab includes: a first section including a cavity and a second section at least partially positioned within the cavity, where the second section is longitudinally movable relative to the first section, such that a length of the trailer is variable. The second section includes a cart including at least one wheel configured to roll along a floor of the cavity and a height-variable member co-acting with the at least one wheel. The second section is configured to move longitudinally relative to the first section by the cart rolling along the floor of the cavity. A towing system and a method for adjusting a length of a trailer moveable by a cab are also disclosed.