Trailer Support Assembly with Integrated Load Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle trailer systems lack an efficient and accurate method for weight control, including detection of total weight, support loads, and axle loads, which is crucial for compliance with registration regulations and safe operation.
Innovation Solution
A support arrangement with detection devices and jacks that can be mounted on vehicle trailers to measure vertical loads on the drawbar, trailer coupling, and axle arrangement, allowing for precise determination of total weight, support loads, and axle loads, using hydraulic or electric drives and sensors for accurate load detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple detection devices are installed on body supports, drawbar support, and axle arrangement to measure various loads, then measurement precision and weight characterization accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into multiple independent detection devices, each installed at specific locations (body supports, drawbar support, axle arrangement) to measure different load components. This segmentation allows precise measurement of individual loads (body support loads, drawbar support loads, axle loads) which are then combined to determine total weight, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection devices are designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple purposes: measuring vertical loads, determining total weight, calculating support loads, and monitoring axle loads. Each detection device can contribute to multiple measurement objectives, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision through a universal detection approach.
2Ease of operation
If jacks are used to raise and lower the axle arrangement for leveling and weight detection, then ease of operation and leveling precision are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The jack system incorporates self-service features through automated control that can detect the trailer's leveling status and autonomously adjust the axle arrangement height. The system uses sensors to monitor the trailer body orientation and automatically actuates the jacks to achieve the desired horizontal position, reducing manual intervention while managing the complexity through intelligent automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The jack system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the trailer's leveling status through detection devices and adjusting jack extension/retraction accordingly. The system compares the current orientation with the target horizontal position and automatically corrects deviations, thereby improving ease of operation and leveling precision while managing complexity through closed-loop control.
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
Enables precise weight characterization of vehicle trailers, ensuring compliance with registration regulations and enhancing safety by minimizing chassis torsion and measurement errors, facilitating leveling and stabilization, and optimizing braking systems.
Implementation Method 1
Each jack is assigned a detection means, which detects the respective upright, in particular vertical, jack load (H) of the jacks extended with ground contact.
Implementation Method 2
The vehicle trailer has a chassis with an axle arrangement, a front-facing rigid drawbar with a drawbar support and a front-facing trailer coupling. When extended, the body supports serve to stabilize the parked vehicle trailer on the ground.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a support arrangement (1) and a detection method for a road-legal vehicle trailer (2), which has a chassis (4) with an axle arrangement (11), a rigid front drawbar (7) with a drawbar support (10) and a front trailer coupling (9), and a trailer body (20). The support arrangement (1) comprises several body supports (34, 35) for the front and/or rear area of the trailer body (20), which are designed and configured for attachment to a body floor (21) of the trailer body (20) and optionally to the chassis (4).The support arrangement (1) has a detection device (22) for a weight characteristic, in particular for the total weight (G) and/or an axle load (AL), of the vehicle trailer (2), which includes a control device (28), an operating device (30) and several, in particular two, controllable, driven, extendable and retractable lifting supports (36) which are provided and designed for mounting on the axle arrangement (11) and for raising and lowering the axle arrangement (11).The detection device (22) further comprises several detection means (24) each assigned to the lifting supports (36), which receive the respective upright lifting support load (H) of the extended lifting support (36), and preferably a detection device (23), which receives an upright support load (S,S') acting in the area of the drawbar (7), in particular on the drawbar support (10) or the trailer coupling (9), and/or an upright superstructure support load (A) from a superstructure support (34) to be arranged at the front of the trailer superstructure (20).