Truck-Trailer Coupling System for Payload and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current road vehicles face limitations in payload capacity, maneuverability, and stability, particularly for commercial and heavy goods vehicles, which require additional licenses and incur higher costs and complexities due to articulation and size issues.
Innovation Solution
A connection system between a towing vehicle and a semi-trailer that maintains vertical longitudinal planes coincident and guides the semi-trailer's pivoting about a transverse axis of pitch, eliminating horizontal angular movements and allowing for a higher payload without the need for additional licenses, while maintaining ease of steering and stability similar to non-articulated vehicles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a coupled trailer is used to increase payload capacity, then the payload is improved, but the maneuverability and stability deteriorate due to articulation and additional space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is divided into two separate vehicles (towing vehicle and semi-trailer) that can be coupled together. This segmentation allows the towing vehicle to remain compact and easy to maneuver while the semi-trailer provides additional payload capacity when attached.
Solution Approach 2:
The semi-trailer is designed to nest closely with the towing vehicle when coupled, with the semi-trailer positioned directly behind the towing vehicle's rear axle. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall length and footprint of the combined vehicle, improving maneuverability while maintaining increased payload capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If a semi-trailer with fifth wheel coupling is used to increase payload, then the payload is improved, but the device complexity and purchase cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using the conventional fifth wheel coupling where the towing vehicle has a complex subframe and the semi-trailer has a kingpin, this invention inverts the arrangement: the towing vehicle has a simple drawbar coupling and the semi-trailer has the complex fifth wheel mechanism. This inversion simplifies the towing vehicle's structure and reduces purchase cost while maintaining the ability to carry heavy loads.
3Quantity of substance
If the semi-trailer is positioned with coupling point above or in front of the rear axle, then the payload capacity is improved, but the stability on road deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling point is positioned in the vertical dimension (above the rear axle) rather than only in the horizontal dimension. This vertical positioning allows the semi-trailer's weight to be properly distributed onto the towing vehicle's rear axle, improving road stability while maintaining high payload capacity. The semi-trailer acts as an extension of the towing vehicle's chassis in the vertical dimension.
Data Source
AI summary
The assembly has a connection system including a guiding and maintaining device with a guiding and maintain unit (9) mounted on a semi-trailer (3). The guiding and maintaining unit is cooperated with another guiding and maintaining unit (8), in hooking position of the semi-trailer, for maintaining vertical longitudinal planes of the semi-trailer and a towing vehicle (1) in permanent manner and guiding a rotation of a towing vehicle around an transversal axes. The semi-trailer has an inertia brake telescopic draw bar (50) with free end that is equipped with hooking unit (51) i.e. pintle eye.