Trailer Stiffness Layout for Lateral Stability in Combination Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combination vehicles, particularly those with multiple towed units, experience instability due to rearward amplification and oscillating forces during lateral movements, which are exacerbated by the placement of the center of gravity relative to the axles and the emergence of electric trailers with tires closer to the middle, leading to control difficulties.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle is arranged with components having increasing stiffness values towards the rear along the longitudinal axis, including tires, mechanical connections, and self-steered wheels, to absorb oscillating motions and maintain stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of towed units is increased to improve transport efficiency and reduce fuel consumption per weight, then the transport efficiency improves, but the vehicle stability deteriorates due to rearward amplification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the stiffness values of components along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Specifically, the stiffness values are increased from front to back, creating a gradient that counteracts rearward amplification. This parameter modification allows the vehicle to maintain stability while transporting multiple towed units, directly resolving the contradiction between productivity and stability.
2Quantity of substance
If the center of gravity is moved towards the rear of the trailer to maximize payload capacity, then the transport capacity improves, but the trailer stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for the destabilizing effect of rearward center of gravity placement by modifying the stiffness parameters of components along the longitudinal axis. The increased stiffness values toward the rear create a stabilizing effect that counterbalances the instability introduced by moving the center of gravity backward, allowing maximum payload capacity while maintaining trailer stability.
3Weight of moving object
If electric trailers with tires closer to the middle are used to reduce weight on the tractor, then the tractor load is reduced, but the vehicle stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the stability issue introduced by electric trailer configurations by implementing a stiffness gradient in the components. The increased stiffness values toward the rear of the vehicle compensate for the reduced weight on the tractor and the mid-positioned tires, maintaining overall vehicle stability while allowing the use of lighter electric trailer designs.
4Device complexity
If components with uniform stiffness are used throughout the vehicle, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the ability to handle lateral forces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different stiffness values to different locations along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Rather than using uniform stiffness throughout, the system implements a gradient where front components have lower stiffness and rear components have higher stiffness. This localized differentiation optimizes lateral force handling while the systematic approach to the gradient keeps manufacturing complexity manageable.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a
AI summary
A vehicle (1) comprising a towing unit and one or more towed units (20) extending along a longitudinal axis (ax) is provided. The vehicle (1) is arranged with components associated with respective stiffness values affecting lateral forces applied to the vehicle (1) as the vehicle (1) is moving laterally. The vehicle (1) is configured such that the components are arranged along the longitudinal axis (ax) to have increasing stiffness values towards a rear of the vehicle (1) and/or a rear of the respective one or more towed units (20).