Vehicle Joint Coupler With Electromagnetic Gap Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle coupler systems experience impacts and slipping phenomena during acceleration, deceleration, and turning, leading to instability and ride discomfort, with a risk of detachment between the tractor and trailer.
Innovation Solution
A joint structure for vehicles using a ball structure with an electromagnetic force applied, featuring a drive coupler and cargo coupler that can move up and down, coupled by a fastening drive unit with electromagnets, allowing controlled electromagnetic interactions to maintain a stable gap and prevent collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional coupler structure is used to connect the tractor and trailer, then the connection is simple and robust, but impacts and slipping phenomena occur during acceleration, deceleration, and turning, leading to instability and ride discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional purely mechanical coupler connection with an electromagnetic coupling system. Electromagnetic forces are applied to the ball structure to actively control and maintain the gap between coupler components, substituting passive mechanical engagement with active electromagnetic field-based force application to prevent impacts and slipping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic control to the coupler system by applying electromagnetic forces that can be adjusted in real-time. The ball structure with electromagnetic force application allows the coupler to dynamically adapt to acceleration, deceleration, and turning conditions, maintaining optimal gap spacing and preventing harmful impacts through active force modulation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the coupler components are fixed in position, then the structure is simple and stable, but the tractor and trailer cannot smoothly adapt to direction changes and sloped surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the coupler components dynamic by introducing electromagnetic force application to the ball structure. This allows the upper and lower coupler components to move up and down relative to each other while maintaining controlled spacing through electromagnetic forces, enabling smooth adaptation to direction changes and sloped surfaces without excessive mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and positioning parameters of the coupler components by applying electromagnetic forces. The ball structure with electromagnetic actuation allows controlled changes in position and spacing between coupler components, enabling adaptability to various operating conditions while maintaining structural integrity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If electromagnetic forces are applied to the ball structure in the coupler, then collisions are prevented and ride comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical locking and cushioning mechanisms with an electromagnetic force application system. The fastening drive unit uses electromagnetic forces to control the ball structure, providing collision prevention through field-based forces rather than mechanical intervention, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the introduction of electromagnetic components.
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 solution ensures smooth direction changes and improved stability during turning and sloped travel, prevents collisions during rapid acceleration and deceleration, and enhances ride comfort, applicable to tractor-trailer systems and Purpose Built Vehicles (PBVs).
Implementation Method 1
a ball structure to which an electromagnetic force is applied
Data Source
AI summary
A joint structure for a vehicle includes a drive module and a cargo module connected to the drive module and configured to move by power of the drive module are coupled, and includes a drive coupler provided at a rear portion of the drive module and connected to a front portion of the cargo module, and a cargo coupler provided at a front portion of the cargo module and connected to the drive coupler, in which the drive coupler is configured to operate to be coupled to or uncoupled from the cargo coupler by power of a fastening drive unit.