Trailer Side Skirt Panels with Pivot Brackets for Drag Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current side skirt systems for trailers are inadequate in reducing drag, as they do not effectively manage airflow under the vehicle, leading to increased fuel consumption and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A side skirt system comprising multiple wall panels strategically positioned and angled to extend below the trailer's storage container, with spring-biased and rigid mounting bracket assemblies that allow panels to tilt and adjust, creating an air curtain to deflect airflow and reduce drag forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If side skirts extend downwardly from the bottom of the trailer to partially enclose the floor assembly and undercarriage, then drag force is reduced, but the system lacks adaptability to avoid obstacles and maintain structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The side skirt system incorporates pivotable mounting brackets that allow the wall panels to rotate between a first position (extending downward for drag reduction) and a second position (retracted or angled for obstacle avoidance). This dynamic positioning capability enables the system to adapt to different operational conditions, resolving the contradiction between drag reduction and obstacle avoidance adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The side skirt system is divided into multiple independent wall panels, each capable of being individually positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows different portions of the side skirt to be optimized for different functions - some panels can remain extended for drag reduction while others are repositioned to avoid obstacles, thereby resolving the contradiction between overall drag reduction and localized adaptability.
2Strength
If wall panels are rigidly coupled to the floor assembly for structural stability, then structural integrity is maintained, but the system loses flexibility to adjust positioning and avoid obstacles
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket assembly incorporates a pivot mechanism with a pivot axis, enabling the wall panel to rotate between fixed and adjusted positions. This dynamic coupling provides both structural support when needed and positioning flexibility when required, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and positioning flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the wall panel by allowing rotation about the pivot axis. The mounting bracket maintains structural connection while enabling parameter change (position angle), thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining structural integrity and achieving positioning flexibility.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple wall panels are horizontally spaced-apart to create airflow management zones, then drag reduction is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side skirt is segmented into multiple wall panels spaced horizontally apart, creating zones for managing airflow underneath the trailer. This segmentation improves drag reduction by controlling airflow patterns in different sections, while each panel remains a simple structural element mounted on a standardized pivot bracket, thereby managing the complexity through modular design.
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
The system significantly reduces drag by managing airflow, enhancing fuel efficiency and operational power usage, while also allowing for flexibility to avoid obstacles and maintain structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the wall panels is configured to be tiltably coupled to the floor assembly of the trailer in order to tilt laterally-inwardly and laterally-outwardly relative to the storage container
Implementation Method 2
Side skirt systems are designed to prevent or control the flow of air from entering the undercarriage region from the side of the ground vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A side skirt system for reducing drag on a trailer or other ground vehicle includes plurality of wall panels each configured to be coupled to one side of the trailer to extend generally below a storage container of the trailer at least partially along a length of the trailer. The wall panels are horizontally spaced-apart from each other.