Trailering System Sliding Upper Deck Airbag Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing costs of labor and materials, combined with the limitations of non-stackable container loads and contamination risks from hydraulic systems in agricultural transportation, necessitate a more efficient and contamination-free trailering system that allows for multi-layer cargo transport on semi-truck trailers.
Innovation Solution
A trailering system featuring a semi-truck trailer with a sliding upper deck and an airbag system for vertical movement, utilizing airbags for loading and unloading, which eliminates the need for hydraulic systems and allows for the efficient stacking of non-stackable containers, using an air supply for inflation and deflation of airbags.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a second deck is added to increase cargo capacity, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upper deck is designed to be movable rather than fixed, capable of sliding vertically along the posts between a stowed position (flush with trailer bed) and a raised position (creating additional cargo layer). This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt between single-layer and double-layer cargo arrangements, increasing productivity without permanently complicating the base structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The trailering system integrates multiple functions into a unified structure: the base provides support for both the lower cargo and the movable upper deck mechanism, while the posts and rails serve both structural support and guidance functions for the sliding deck. This multi-functional design achieves increased cargo capacity without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If hydraulic lift mechanisms are used for lifting, then lifting capability is achieved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic lift mechanism with a mechanically-driven lifting system that uses an electric motor coupled to a screw jack or similar mechanical lifting device. This substitution eliminates the risk of hydraulic oil contamination to agricultural goods while maintaining the necessary lifting capability to raise and lower the upper deck.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful hydraulic system is completely extracted and removed from the trailering system. Instead, a clean mechanical lifting mechanism is implemented that poses no contamination risk to the cargo, particularly important for agricultural products that cannot tolerate hydraulic fluid contamination.
3Force
If hydraulic systems are used, then lifting power is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex hydraulic system with high-pressure pumps, valves, and fluid circuits is replaced with a simpler mechanical lifting system driven by an electric motor. The mechanical screw jack or similar device provides sufficient lifting power through mechanical advantage, eliminating the need for complex hydraulic infrastructure while maintaining the required force for raising the upper deck.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical lifting system is designed to be self-contained and self-regulating, using the motor-driven screw mechanism to provide controlled lifting and lowering without requiring complex external hydraulic control systems. The mechanical threads inherently provide force multiplication and controlled descent, reducing the need for additional safety valves and control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Trailering systems are presenting including: a semi-truck trailer; a base positioned along a top surface the semi-truck trailer, where the top surface receives lower cargo, the base including, a pair of forward posts; a forward post mounting rail; a pair of aft posts, a pair of aft posts; an aft post mounting; and an upper deck slidingly engaged with the base, the upper deck including, a pair of forward slides; a pair of aft slides; a pair of side rails; an aft slide mounting rail; a decking; and an airbag system including; a number of forward airbags; a number of aft; and at least one control valve for inflating and deflating the number of forward airbags and the number of aft airbags.