Vehicle Frame Front Module Reducing Saddle Neck Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle frame front modules for semi-trailers face challenges in reducing the saddle neck height while maintaining structural rigidity and avoiding weight increases, which limits the loading volume and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle frame front module design featuring a main plate-shaped member with filler plate-shaped members of varying thicknesses, radially extending second main element areas, and plate-shaped filling elements that optimize supporting forces and provide torsional stiffness, allowing for a reduced saddle neck height and increased loading space without excessive weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the saddle neck height is reduced to increase loading space, then the loading volume increases, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The front module is segmented into a plate-shaped main element with multiple plate-shaped filling elements arranged radially. This segmentation allows the structure to achieve the required rigidity with thinner individual components, reducing overall weight while maintaining loading volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The front module uses a composite structure combining a plate-shaped main element with multiple plate-shaped filling elements of different thicknesses. This composite design optimizes the strength-to-weight ratio, allowing reduced saddle neck height without excessive weight increase.
2Volume of moving object
If the saddle neck height is reduced, then the loading space increases, but the structural rigidity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the front module have different plate thicknesses optimized for their specific functions. The plate-shaped filling elements have varying thicknesses to provide local reinforcement where needed while maintaining overall rigidity with reduced weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate-shaped filling elements are arranged in a radial pattern around the kingpin, creating a curved, star-like structure. This radial arrangement optimally distributes supporting forces from the fifth wheel coupling plate through the kingpin into the ground, enhancing structural rigidity while allowing reduced saddle neck height.
3Strength
If a carrier structure is used to maintain rigidity, then structural strength is improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single heavy carrier structure, the front module is divided into a plate-shaped main element and multiple lighter plate-shaped filling elements. This segmentation achieves the required structural strength with significantly reduced weight compared to a traditional carrier structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The radial arrangement of plate-shaped filling elements creates an optimized force distribution pattern that replaces the need for a heavy carrier structure. The curved, radial geometry naturally distributes loads efficiently, providing structural strength without excessive weight.
4Reliability
If the plate-shaped filling elements are welded to the plate-shaped main element, then structural integrity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The front module is manufactured as segmented components (plate-shaped main element and plate-shaped filling elements) that can be produced separately and then assembled through welding. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing of individual parts while maintaining structural integrity through the welding connection.
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
The design effectively reduces the saddle neck height, increases the loading space, and decreases the overall weight of the semi-trailer, while ensuring structural rigidity and supporting forces are optimally distributed, enhancing the loading capacity and efficiency of the vehicle frame.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of plate-shaped fillers are inserted into the areas between the plurality of second main-member portions of the plate-shaped main member and welded to the plate-shaped main member
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a vehicle frame front module (300) of a vehicle frame (100) of a semi-trailer. The disclosed vehicle frame front module (330) has a plate-shaped main element (310) with a first thickness (T1), and several plate-shaped filler elements (320) with a second thickness (T2) that is smaller than the first thickness (T1). The plate-shaped main element (310) has a first main element region (312) configured to receive a kingpin (120), and several second main element regions (313, 314, 315, 316, 317) configured to extend radially from the first main element region (312) with respect to the kingpin (120). The several plate-shaped filler elements (320) are inserted into the areas between the several second main element areas (313, 314, 315, 316, 317) and welded to the plate-shaped main element (310).