Retractable Trailer Roof Frame for Faster Side Loading Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trailer enclosure systems face challenges such as interference with loading operations due to U-shaped bows and the need for precise alignment and tuning of torsion springs, which complicates the retraction and deployment of tarps, leading to increased loading and unloading times and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A trailer enclosure system featuring a flexible tarpaulin supported by pivotable roof frame subassemblies with elongated rafter support arms and purlins, allowing for partial retraction and pivotal movement to facilitate access, using a lift assembly with adjustable biasing forces to manage the tarp's position and reduce interference during loading and unloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If U-shaped bows are used to support the tarpaulin, then the tarpaulin can be supported and secured over the trailer bed, but the bows interfere with loading operations and may be damaged during loading/unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static U-shaped bows with dynamic telescoping boom arms that can extend and retract. The boom arms are mounted on telescoping booms with cylinders that allow them to move between retracted and extended positions, enabling them to clear the loading area when needed and provide support when the tarpaulin is deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The enclosure frame is divided into multiple independent segments including the trailer bed, telescoping booms, and boom arms. Each segment can move independently, allowing the boom arms to be repositioned without moving the entire frame structure, thus facilitating loading operations while maintaining tarpaulin support.
2Ease of operation
If the tarpaulin is fully retracted to facilitate loading, then access to the trailer bed is improved, but the loading and unloading time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tarpaulin edge portions are made dynamically movable through the telescoping boom mechanism. The booms can quickly extend to deploy the tarpaulin or retract to clear the loading area, reducing the time the tarpaulin needs to be in transitional states and thus reducing overall loading/unloading time.
Solution Approach 2:
The tarpaulin can be partially deployed or positioned in advance before loading begins. The telescoping booms allow the tarpaulin to be pre-positioned to cover portions of the trailer bed, and then quickly adjusted during loading operations, reducing the time needed for tarpaulin manipulation during the actual loading process.
3Extent of automation
If torsion springs are used for retraction and deployment, then automatic positioning is achieved, but precise alignment and tuning are required which complicates the system
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamically adjustable telescoping booms with cylinders instead of fixed torsion spring mechanisms. The cylinders can be controlled to extend and retract the booms to specific positions, providing automatic positioning without the need for precise spring tuning and alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism allows for easy adjustment of the boom extension parameters. The telescoping booms can be adjusted to different lengths and positions, and the cylinders can be controlled to achieve the desired tarpaulin deployment without requiring complex spring parameter tuning.
4Reliability
If the roof frame is made rigid to provide stable support, then the tarpaulin is securely held, but the frame cannot be retracted to allow side and top loading
Solution Approach 1:
The roof frame incorporates dynamic telescoping booms and movable boom arms that can extend to provide rigid support for the tarpaulin and then retract to clear the loading area. This allows the frame to transition between providing stable support and enabling side and top loading access.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is segmented into the main trailer bed structure and the movable telescoping boom assemblies. This segmentation allows the boom assemblies to be independently repositioned or retracted while the main frame remains stable, providing both stable tarpaulin support and loading flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A retractable trailer enclosure system including a flexible tarpaulin adapted to cover the surface of a flatbed trailer and a roof frame for supporting the tarpaulin over the trailer head. The tarpaulin is at least partially retractable by selectively coiling one or both longitudinal sides to facilitate trailer loading and/or unloading. The roof frame includes one or more displaceable frame sections having one or elongated rafter support arms. The rafter support arms are pivotally movable under the weight of the tarpaulin between a lowered, generally horizontal position when the tarpaulin is uncoiled, and a raised inclined position when the tarpaulin is retracted and a longitudinal edge of the frame section is pivoted upwardly.