Work Trailer Layout for External Tool Access on Rough Terrain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available trailers for construction and renovation jobs face challenges such as difficulty in removing and maneuvering heavy tools, and lack of resources like water, power, and shelter, especially on challenging terrain.
Innovation Solution
A work trailer design with a low center of gravity and wide platform for easy towing, featuring external access to all storage areas, a self-contained workspace with power and lighting, and modular bays for customizable storage and workspaces, including a rear compartment with ramps for large equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a basic enclosed utility trailer design is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it becomes difficult to remove and maneuver heavy tools
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer is divided into distinct functional zones: a box structure for enclosed storage and an exposed platform for heavy equipment access. This segmentation allows tools to be accessed from different locations based on their weight and usage frequency, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The design adds a third dimension by creating an exposed platform that extends beyond the box structure. This allows heavy tools to be accessed from the side/exterior rather than requiring entry into the box, making tool removal easier while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Ease of manufacture
If a basic enclosed utility trailer is used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but it is difficult to maneuver on rough or winding roads
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the trailer into a box and exposed platform creates separate functional areas that can be optimized independently. The exposed platform can be designed with specific ground clearance and wheel positioning to improve maneuverability on rough roads while keeping the overall structure simple and cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the trailer are designed with different properties: the box provides enclosed storage with basic structural requirements, while the exposed platform is designed specifically for maneuverability with appropriate ground clearance and wheel placement, allowing each zone to optimize its function.
3Device complexity
If a basic enclosed utility trailer is used, then the structure is simple, but resources like water, power, and shelter are not readily available
Solution Approach 1:
The exposed platform serves multiple functions: it acts as structural support for the box, provides a workspace surface, offers access to stored equipment, and can accommodate additional resources like water tanks, power generators, or tool racks. This multi-functionality adds versatility without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The trailer design allows for dynamic configuration of resources on the exposed platform. Equipment and resources can be added, removed, or repositioned based on job requirements, making the trailer adaptable to different work scenarios while maintaining a simple base structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Work trailers (10) are disclosed that include a platform (14) and a box (12) fixedly mounted on the platform. In some implementations the box extends substantially the entire length of the platform but covers only a portion of the width of the platform, leaving an exposed strip of platform running the length of the platform on either side of the box. The trailer includes a plurality of storage compartments, all of which are accessible from outside the trailer.