Trailer Wheel Motorization Clutch for Manual Effort Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer movement systems are inefficient, particularly for lightweight trailers, requiring strenuous manual effort and leading to high fuel consumption and pollutant emissions, especially when handling heavy loads.
Innovation Solution
A movement system for trailers featuring a reversible connection member between the motorization means and the wheels, allowing for manual or automatic coupling and decoupling of motor power to the wheels, reducing operator effort and fuel consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual movement is used for lightweight trailers, then the trailer can be repositioned for loading/unloading, but the operator experiences excessive effort and potential danger
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer wheel assembly incorporates a motor that can dynamically switch between manual and motorized operation modes. The motor is selectively engaged to provide assistance during movement operations and disengaged during towing, allowing the system to adapt its characteristics based on operational requirements. This dynamic capability enables easy repositioning of lightweight trailers without excessive operator effort while maintaining compatibility with standard towing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A clutch mechanism acts as an intermediary between the motor and the wheel, selectively transmitting or blocking motor power to the wheel. This intermediary device enables smooth transition between manual and motorized modes, allowing the operator to engage motor assistance only when needed for moving the trailer during loading/unloading operations, thereby reducing operator effort without interfering with normal towing.
2Loss of energy
If motorized movement means are added to trailer wheels, then fuel consumption and emissions are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized assistance system is implemented as a separate, modular unit integrated into the wheel assembly rather than being built into the trailer chassis. This segmentation allows the motor, clutch, and associated components to be added as optional equipment without fundamentally redesigning the entire trailer system. The modular approach minimizes complexity by allowing the motorized features to be independently controlled and selectively engaged only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The motorized movement assistance is activated periodically or intermittently based on operational needs rather than continuously. The clutch mechanism enables the motor to engage only during specific phases such as starting movement or overcoming resistance during loading/unloading, and disengage during normal towing. This periodic activation reduces energy consumption and minimizes the operational impact of the additional system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If reversible connection members are used to couple motor means to wheels, then motorization can be engaged when needed, but the connection mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A clutch mechanism serves as an intermediary component that simplifies the reversible connection between the motor and the wheel. The clutch provides a straightforward engage/disengage mechanism that couples motor power to the wheel when motorized assistance is needed and decouples it when towing is required. This intermediary device manages the complexity of the reversible connection by providing a simple, reliable interface that automatically handles the coupling and decoupling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection and disconnection functionality is extracted as a separate, dedicated mechanism (the clutch) rather than being integrated into the motor or wheel structures. This extraction allows the reversible connection to be implemented as a standalone component with a focused function, simplifying the overall design by separating the motor engagement control from the motor and wheel assemblies themselves.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
A movement system for vehicle trailers, comprising: movement means (2) operatively associable to at least one wheel (3) of said trailer (100); at least one reversible connection member (4) interposed between the movement means (2) and the respective wheel (3); said member (4) having: a first shaft (5) keyed to a hub (6) of the wheel (3) and having a first connection joint (7) connected in rotation to the first shaft (5); a second shaft (8) keyed to said connection means (2) and having a second connection joint (9) connected in rotation to said second shaft (8); and means for moving (10) the second joint (9) to axially slide the second joint (9) along the longitudinal extension of the second shaft (8) between a connection configuration to the first joint (7) in which the movement of the means (2) is transmitted to the wheel (3) and a disconnection configuration from the first joint (7) in which movement is not transmitted.