Trailers have a third wheel and people forget to winch it up so it brakes. Heavy trailer users have even broken 2-3 of them. D&E team created a third wheel system that can be installed to the existing Tiki trailers. Team created a mechanism that prevents driving when the third wheel is lowered and guarantees that the third wheel is always risen from the ground before driving.
Team: Janno Nõu, Tarko Koger, Aleksei Olenik, Max Böhme
Company: Bestnet
4. introduction
Background
Bestnet AS is modern towing trailer manufacturer. It is so popular, that even
word „trailer“ in estonian is often pronounced as „tiki-trailer“. Bestnet is
also one of the biggest exporter of Estonia, with yearly turnover in exess of
15 million euros. The main market is Scnadinavian countries and the brands
are called TIKI and AKU. Tiki-trailer focuses on continuous development of
quality and production technology.
Aim of the project
The aim of this project is to develop a smart trailer. Smart trailer is a
trailer that has higher self-awarness than current plain metallic structures.
Following points give a brief overview of points which to consider:
- Smart trailer, that is able to register overload due to exessive weight,
bad weight distribution, wrong driving manners etc.
- Integrating electronics to raise the trailer self-awareness.
- Integrating smart structures that react on abnormal function of trailer.
- The aerodynamics to reduce the fuel consumption.
- The weight reduction to reduce the fuel consumption.
- Unification of used materials to reduce the manufacturing costs.
Team
Tarko Koger Aleksei Oleinik Janno Nõu Max Böhme
MA D&E MA D&E MA D&E BA Industrial Design
first year first year first year fourth year
Tutors
Henrik Herranen Sven Sõrmus
Tallinn University of Estonian Academy
Technology of Arts
5. contents
introduction
contents
car trailer
RESEARCH working method
visit of Tiki
user interviews
interviews with leasing services
opinions from internet blogs
market situation
Tikis range of products
competitors in comparance
trailer attributes
users specific used trailer
analysis of the web-presentation
ANALYSIS trailer problems
progress
second meeting with Tiki
ritual of boot-trailers usage
ritual vs. robotic
CONCEPT direction for ideas
idea generation
idea selection and evaluation
concept preparation
concept selection
DESIGN mechanical inspirations
concept modelling
coupling connection
adaption to the real trailer
advanced concept-models
final design
developed design
calculation for the spring
risk analysis
static-load-stress analysis
trigger development
prototyping
sources
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
6. research
car-trailer
A general overview
For many transportation issues, trailer are the first choice. Be it, that
people cannot afford a big transporter, or that they don‘t need it every day,
in relation to the price of a big car allows a trailer more specialized use.
Besides this are some goods or objects simple to big for cars, like boots for
example.
Indeed, using and driving of a trailer needs experience, especcially for
bigger trailers and so people need the special application BE for their
driver-licence. That this is not a guarantee for a diligent use is totally clear,
everybody is oblivious in a way.
?
[some examples how not to transport something]
7. So trailer manufacturer nowadays are producing more and more special
trailer for the special issues. That less mistakes will happen and that the use
of working become more practical and give mor independence to the people.
There existing one the one side solutions trough extra equipment and on
the other side customized trailers with adapted dimensions, characteristics
and implemented equipment.
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
8. research
working method
Our goal
Due to the fact, that the bigger part of the team didn‘t worked deeper
in the trailer-business before, we started with a broad research. Also it
was important to find some special solution for Tiki, which gives them
the possibility to set apart from their competitors and reach a unique
selling pont. Our final development of one product means in this way of
thinking not the only possible way. In analysis of the current state and the
circumstances, our discussion and concept-generating about the future of
trailers in general, became the second leg in this project.
What we did at the end, is only a first step in this proposed direction.
Our way
current
Pictures
situation, analyse
of tiki
pile of
brainstorming information
Competition
Needs of users/ analyse/pictures
owners, from our
interviews
Requirements
ideas for the trailer
Ideas
Comparing / WINNER
Ideation Breef and clear
understanding,
what, where ,for
whom ect.
We collected a bunch of informations and analyse them, for setting the
different importances. Then we made concepts of the trailers close, medium
teisipäev, 28. veebruar 12
and far future, for which we created respective ideas and concepts. These
are presented in this report. For the most realistic issue, which is also in
the frame of time, costs, producing possibility and without competitive
alternatives we finally made a range of solutions. In decision of the
circumstances we selected one idea, worked out the design and brought it
to a prototyp.
9. visit of Tiki
7.02 Our first visit to the company
Tiki presented their company in general: structure, facilities, manufacturing,
machinery, warehousing, logistics. During our consultation company
representatives said that they do not want to restrict our flights of thoughts
but contrary during our process, more and more restrictions and “things
needed to be considered” continuesly appeared themselves while developing
because realistic outcome – prototype – was expected at the end of the
course. Our team also only sees point and value generating concepts that
are feasible. Therefore production and development possibilities needed to
be clarified. That was definitely essential to set further frames because this
probably wouldn’t be some futuristic concept but more realistic one that
might even end up prototyping.
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
10. research
user interviews
Never sure if the
load an the hook The empty trailer
is still ok; you can is dancing on the
only gauge. highway!
When I drive my
vehicle on the
tilted trailer, he I have no feeling
seems to brake. for the trailer when
The third wheel
taking a turn.
makes often
problems while
driving.
When I don‘t need
the trailer I store it
in the garage.
I check the weight
To drive back is of the load while
difficult; the back looking how broad
of the trailer is out the tires are.
of view.
It‘s all about
experience.
It lasts so long to
winch the third
wheel up again. I expect that the
trailer is usable
everywhere like
my Lada-Niva.
For our first interviews we asked private users with more and less experience.
Of course the problems are different from person to person, but some
points appeared again and again.
11. interviews with
leasing services
the customers
don‘t care about
sometimes people the trailer, cause
want to have a it‘s not their own
trailer but don‘t
have a hook
the taillights are
often broken while
driven backwards
plastic covers are against sth.
people rarely read
more aerodynamik the manual
the cover is too the leasers
heavy for women don‘t know the
parameters for
loading
we prefer Respo
cause of the better
the leasers forgot
supply, when we
to wind up the
have to repair
third wheel
something
For our interviews of trailer-leasing we went to some building markets
in Tallinn, which offer a less or more good service, to some Gas-stations
in Pärnu, whose want to earn extra cash and so only use the most easy
trailers of less than 750kg (no special permissions neccessary) and at least
to the bigger rental service in Pärnu.
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
12. research
opinions from
internet blogs
TIKI RESPO
Pros Cons Pros Cons
lights were lack of INNER
more quality
do not complain connected in a hooks in standard
made
wrong way equipment
new TIKIs handle does not handle tendency to float
cheaper
overloading better overloading underload
hits suspension to the falls apart (8 years
feels massive and heavy
end experienced both)
LOADED good capacity/
higher trailer surface -
TRALER: side overloading tighter in width
higher lifting surface
swinging carrier
small ground problems with
stronger sides
clearance brakes
suspension does LOADED
more fixing hooks on
not strike if some TRALER: vertical
standard package
extra kg-s swinging
due to low ground
tolerates lightness (3m - clearance -
overcapacity/overloading 220 kg) frequent
harvesting
issues with
stronger frame - brakes but 2
better looking
rec new RESPO times less than
TIKI
more reliable
(used both)
cheaper
exploitation
better assembly,
integration if parts
needed to be
exchanged
RESPO user
TIKI user feedback Used both or just commentator
feedback
The users also make recommendations
• Go for better offer (8 years experiencced both)
• With brakes
• new respo (stronger frame)
• respo because of handling overcapacity
• 4 wheels: TIKI - 1 shaft balanssiiridega; RESPO - 2 separate shafts
• IT‘S ALL ABOUT MAINTAINER
14. beach trailers
special offer 700€
standard trailers
boot trailers
products
research
Tikis range of
professionel trailers
professionel boot trailers
professionel trailers with brakes
and division
car trailers
tractor trailers
closed trailers
cable trailers
16. research
competitors
in comparance
By checking the range of products from competitors, some small differences
were found. It‘s at least not only about the products, which vary less, but
also more about the way of presenting, which gives a different accentuation
on the trailers.
So we compared the prices related to the different trailers, marked some
specialized parts and took looks into the presentation/way of providing (see
analysis of Tikis homepage).
Other than Tiki or Respo, the P+P trailer center is a trading firm instead
of a producer. They are selling trailers which are mostly manufactured in
Germany or the Netherlands. The range of products is wide and so it gives
an insight into the german trailer business.
TIKI TRAILERS prize in € load in kg types size in cm prize in € load in kg types size in cm
Trailer at the P+P Trailercenter
smile T. 700 629 1 265x122 <750kg 500-1235 520-580 19 202x114
300x150
<1400kg 1045-2000 780-1080 21 210x110
standard T. 710-970 443-612 4 200x122 300x150
275x138 <2000kg 1325-2745 1100-1620 13 250x125
300x150
profi T. 900-1630 387-579 9 350x148
<2600kg 1790-3470 2100-2190 7 300x150
252x123 400x185
profi with break T. 2010-4220 968-1682 9 299x148 RESPO TRAILERS prize in € max. weight in kg types size in cm
382x209
standard 525-1770 750kg 17 1.50x1.20
3.50x2.06
boot T. 800-1000 369-635 4 standard with brakes 2066-2396 1500kg 5 3.00x1.50
3.50x1.80
profi boot T. 1110-4830 582-2001 7 double axes 1422-1760 750 8 3.00x1.50
3.50x1.80
double axes with brakes 2294-3035 1700-2700 9 3.00x1.50
strand T. 630-1000 484-1043 3 4.00x1.50
boat trailers 466-1345 700-750 11 3.80x1.79
car T. 3350-3800 1430-2010 4 418x196 5.80x2.09
boat trailers with brakes 1533-3811 900-3500 11 5.80x2.09
489x194 8.10x2.41
closed T. 3740 , 4530 386 , 935 2 346x144 car trailers 2493-4664 2000-3500 6 4.00x1.82
4.90x2.05
flatbed trailers 2428-4388 1700-2700 4 3.06x1.68
cable T. 3720 , 4360 1071 , 2187 2 5.50x2.20
van trailers 2190-5515 750-2000 9 3.00x1.50
tractor T. 3140-4180 2301-3023 3 3.50x1.75
Differences in the range of products from P+P
- no boat trailers and less speciallised order of trailers
- cheapeast offering for a standard trailer (but it‘s a small one)
- trailers use not only metal, for example also plywood for the
sideboards
- sale most times already with the third wheel
- accentuation on the „service-friendly“ bolting, so less welded trailers
- 10 years of guarantee (Koch-Trailers)
- differentiation through the weight of the load and applied covering
17. Differences in the range of products from Respo
- more use of bolted trailers
- well organized homepage (see later in analysis of Tikis homepage)
- more specialized trailers and better range of products
- boat trailers much cheaper than from Tiki
- biggest possible choice of standard trailer
the inconsiderable diffence in the look:
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
18. research
trailer attributes
process
of coupling
overweight braking
to car
issues
foldable
pole
weight
positioning
opening
possibility
TRAILER empty
driving
fixing of
the load
weather
proofed
tilting
possibility
upgrade
weak possibility
the third anti-theft
wheel
wheel devices
arches
power-
cables to reliability
the car long life
materials
normal functions
abnormal functions
19. users specific
used trailer
LOW OPERATING EXPERIENCE
leasers
manifold load
[ just need something
for transportation ]
private owners
boots
[ prefer normally the
cheapest trailer ]
animals
commercial
vehicles
[ ]
prefer the trailer with
the longest life
HIGH OPERATING EXPERIENCE
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
20. analysis
analysis of the
web-presentation
To find more reasons for Tikis current market situation, we also examined
their homepage in comparance to other trailer-companys. The main problem
we get out of this, is that Tiki don‘t determine a special orientation of
their qualities. That way the users and customers don‘t know about the
special characteristics, which in our opinion could be a accentuation on long
life. Some small failure in the web-presentation let the homepage of Tiki
standing back behind the one of Respo. Again the inconciderable difference
in the look:
We took also looks into other webpages of german trailer companies, to get
more different design-solutions.
21. first look
- at the startpage for the countrys no picture of a trailer
- looks like Respo (colours)
- no mark on a special characteristic of TIKI
shop
- categories only with words --> less clearness what it is
- no possibility for a comparance of trailer on the first look (like Respo)
--> non-direct connection between trailer and the
information about
- totaly no pictures for the extra-stuff
extra informations
- in „Why Tiki“, Products and Contact no pictures
- „Why Tiki“ implicate other companys for trailers
- in „About Company“ bad graphic-design (non-professional)
- no helping information for the customer, which trailer is the best
for him
orientation
- differentiation with countrys or languages?
- three clicks to the final product is OK (sometimes only 1 click),
but the way is hard to find
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
22. analysis
trailer problems
From the research with users of normal and also boot trailers, we listed the
most common problems and handicaps in use. The choice contains largely
the points, which could be intersting in the view of deign and engineering.
sidesboards
sharp edge become instable
which rip without the
clothes backboard
third wheel
isa forgotten
in the down lights brake
position overlad easy while
overload on issue backdriving
the coupling
hook
23. water get into only help for
the lights, but alight the boot
not out again out of the water,
not for alighting
balancing of
the boat even third wheel
with help quite falls down
difficult while driving
tends to rust
no places to
stand during
the procedure braking
not adjustable electronic
in height connections
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
24. analysis
progress
On a gigantic map we collected all our previous informations. Some of
the original issues seemed to be quite ridiculous in consideration of the
feasibility Tiki could offer. We tried to find a logical direction from Tikis
recent position to our design.
Finally we chose some issues to working on, which we presented to Tiki:
weight
measuring stronger
on coupling connection
wheel plug
weight
measuring
failsafe third equipment
wheel
25. second meeting
with Tiki
15.03
Second meeting with Bestnet AS.
We made brief presentation and discussed over the following topics:
• Trailer in general
• Tiki’s product portfolio
• Tiki products in comparison with competitors
• Market and competitor analyses
• Customer survey: from users aspect
• Resellers/distributors feedback: problems with users
Additionally we introduced and proposed several initial possible solutions
for improvements to the main problems. Our main goal was to fix the
development direction among standard, professional or boat trailers.
Bestnet’s interest was to go towards boat trailers.
In our discussion afterwards we decided to elaborat more on a research
for the boot-trailer, but we allready said, that many problems of the boot-
trailer not so much different from normal ones. That for we would also go
on with finding solutions for most of the common trailer problems.
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
26. analysis
the ritual use of
a boot trailer
From a for many years experienced user of boat trailers we get the exactly
order what you have to do, when using a boat trailer:
• Technical service, check
• Visual check
• Holistically in one piece
• Safe to drive
• Condition of tires and pressure in it
• Connecting trailer to a car – „click“ sound
• Control lifting for coupling hook connection
• Safety cable mounting
• Socket connecting
• Car ignition
• Lights check
• Turn signals
• Break lights
• Side (gauge) lights
• Reverse lights
• Lifting up the third wheel: if doesn’t fix -> remove entirely
• Delivering trailer from storage place to yachtport where loading takes place:
meanwhile as well as default short distance control ride
• Trailer unlinking from car: for later balancing
• Trailer position fixing with chocks and handbreak
• Loading
• Yacht is lifted with crane
• Edges are tied with rops for more exact positioning and directing the yacht
• Fixing the load with fastening belts and elastic rope hooks
• Positioning the softeners in between possibly might frictioning surfaces
• The equipment is prepacked before loading in order to avoid dust, dirt and
possible damages from hitting tarmac from the road
• If loading is fixed – physical check for fasteners via shaking and wiggling
• Reversing car as near as possible to coupling hook: for most it’s difficult (even I
have had slight touch between coupling hook and rear spoiler)
• Appling handbreak for car
• Connecting trailer with car
• Loading distribution check: if nessecary – adjustment
• Visual check and evaluation from sides as well as from back view
• Tire pressure control: if need for adaption – stop in gas station
• Visual check via mirrors when starting to drive
• While fueling or stops – visual check and physical control for fastenings
27. ritual vs. robot
Allready in the research we mentioned, that a lot of the problems like
broken third wheel or broken lights, but also a bad weight distribution
or an overloading are caused by careless users. These problems are not
more important, when the users have a lot of experience. Of course also
for the well experienced owner of a trailer would these kind of systems like
an electrical weight-measuring practical. The question arised, how many
technological affort how much benefit for the users would bring.
users neccessary
experience
expert
use
(ritual)
use with
least risk
use with
more risk
full
robotic
trailer
technical
solutions
design solutions
As the two extreme points we set a super experienced user and on the
other side a fully automatical trailer, which act nearly like a robot. Both
extremes are not desirable, cause of the costs for the robotic-trailer or
because of the mistakes which can happen till a user is well experienced.
So the aim is, to find smart technical solutions or designs, how user can
play the ritual in an easier way without mistakes.
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
28. concept
direction for ideas
From the already collected problems, we choose four which seemed to fit
in our claims for smartness, benefit for the users and feasability for Tiki.
needs time no information
while using if the load iss
to much and
right balanced
weight
fall down distribution
while driving
dangerous
problems
while driving
will brake
when it is third wheel
forgotten
brake while
backdriving
get wet and
short the
whole electric
lights and system
electrical
system
oblivious user
(ritual of use)
easy to forget
to plug or to
unplug
29. idea generation
We collected some ideas, how it would be possible to solve the problems:
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
30. concept
idea selection
and evaluation
Long discussions in the team, with Henrik and the teachers brought us the
problem, that on the one side super-technical-advanced solutions would be
innovative and able to solve the problems, on the other side these solutions
are not possible today. Tiki wanted to give us a free field for exploration,
but also we wanted to make something realizable.
So we decided to kick out the problem of the weight distribution: To solve
this problem you have to change the complete system of the coupling
part, what is not possible in the context of our project, or you can
implement some simple extra systems. Latter already exist how we found
out; special scales you can use on the coupling hook of the car or which are
implemented in the third wheel:
For other problems also exist some smart additive solutions:
31. The residual solutions we checked out with an evaluation matrix:
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
32. concept
concept
prepraration
The idea evaluation didn‘t identified a clear way; again it was a contradiction
between too simple and too difficult solutions. So we made a second
evalution with the aim, to find realisable work in the context of our project
and to be also able to say, what would be the next step on the path of
developing the super-smart trailer.
After all we distributed the ideas into three concepts, to show what would
be possible in the future, but what doesn‘t fit into the recent schedule.
NOW FEW YEARS FUTURE
no budget some budget unlimited budget
simple add-ons some basical changes high-technical
improved low-tech intelligent
ritual helper robot
33. NOW
simple metal no budget
structures simple add-ons
pretend the easy
ligths from change with
braking plugconnections improved
ritual
more hooks for
fasten the belts
and the plane
third wheel gets
a secondary
adjustment short checklist
system of the ritual at
the coupling
The use of the trailer like a ritual means actually, that you will not forget
the actions you have to do nowadays. All solutions have a cheap realisation
and don‘t change the system, only add something. For task like the weight-
measuring should be used already available add-ons. (see idea-selection)
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
34. concept
FEW YEARS
some budget
completely
some basical changes
waterproofed &
brake-secured
lights scale for load low-tech
possibility to
balancing
winch the boot
into the water
helper
third wheel
cannot be
forgotten
ability to adjust
the height failsafe and
easier use of
the third wheel
plug has
remind-bell
against being
forgotten
The use of the trailer like a helper means, that all systems should become
more reliable and with more adjustment possibilities. Also is the trailer able
to mention, when for example the the user forgot top connect the lights.
Then a noise would sound. Systems like measuring tools could be partly
implented, but could be also still exist as add-ons.
35. FUTURE
unlimited budget
digital load high-technical
measuring for automatic
balancing pushing and
pulling of the intelligent
boot robot
automatically
decoupling
and power-
connection
black-box
control system
with wireless
connection to
automatical the user
adjusting
rollers automaticalle
uprising third
voice-control,
wheel
connection
to the car &
smartphone
application
The trailer like a robot would be able to achieve a lot of actions by his own.
Controlled by a central black-box, the user can command via his voice or a
smartphone screen. There it is also possible to check the conditions of the
load and if problems appear you will get autonomous information.
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
36. concept
concept
selection
Adequacy for the project
From all single solutions in the three possible concepts we finally decided
in the team to work on the issue of the third wheel. It shall be possible
to create an design, which can Tiki produce by its own without investing in
special equiptment or capacities. Also the mechanical part seemed to be
complex enough, when it should work mechanical automatically.
Following the NOW-concept for a promtly realisation, the aim is find a
solution with fits in the most already existing trailer.
Benefit for the User
In the research become clear, that the third wheel is a point which has often
problems. These are more important than, for example the lights system,
which is only needed for communication in traffic. When you lose the third
wheel, than that will have other bad consequencies. (see red graph) With
inversion of the problems to their reasons, we can say what the third wheel
should be able to do. (green graph)
37. recently problematic
you have to
remove it while
driving
the wheel
lose time
can fall down not possible to
while driving discouple the
trailer when it‘s
loaded
the third
wheel brakes
cannot use
the trailer
(only super-
the user can
light load)
forget to rise
the wheel lose money
you have to
buy a new one
conceptional third wheel
save money wheel cannot
be forgotten
save time
wheel cannot
fall down
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
39. design
modelling
With a bound of sketches we started to approach the design and found out,
that for the 3rd-wheel-system are mostly three parts neccessary:
1. the way the third wheel is able to rise
2. how it will be locked in both positions
3. how we can connect the system to the coupling
1. the way the third wheel is able to rise
For uprising exist two posibilities: The wheel can strictly lift up or it can
turn arround an pivotable point. Latter would have to advantage, that
there is less friction to be mentioned. For both solutions it has to find a
way, how giving the power to the system. The system should also work,
when there is no electrical power from the car, so in mechanical thinking
springs are most capable.
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
41. some pivotable systems
(pivotbale point inside/outside the main profile; rotable plate instead of
axis; different solutions for the fixing point)
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
42. design
Finally we decided for a torsion spring in a pivotable system. Then
there is no long way (for lifting up the third wheel) like a normal spring had
also need and this torsion spring would take the least space for working.
A common use of them you can find in automatic knifes, which have already
an intersting locking system.
One problem of the spring was the length (or broad) of the spiral: This
would mean, that the third wheel have to be placed more far away from
the main profile and could become so instable. Or it has te be place beneath
the spring, which also brings quite similar problems.
43. 2. How it will lock
Again with the pivotable spring system we had to decide, if we want to use
one turning point or better a turning plate. The plate would have much more
stability and distribute the tension of the wheel, but would also generate
much more friction. Together with the fact, that for the locking system are
two fix-points better (even the third wheel would stay up, because of the
spring), we choose the pivotable plate. So the locker, or trigger how we
called it, can have to fixpoints in the plate.
It should be made out of one material to don‘t use to much parts and
assembling time. The flexibility can be created with cutting long holes into
the material, which drops the resistibility of the solid material.
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
44. design
coupling
connection
3. how we can connect the system to the coupling
For an intelligent connection to the coupling-system, we evaluated when
the locking system need and can get which input-information from the
coupling:
connected
process third wheel coupled locker to couple
trailer alone down no locked yes
coupling up yes unlocked working
before discoupling down yes workable no
It showed, that the couple-connection (the system which will unlock the
third wheel when you couple the trailer to the car) is only allowed to work
when the car is uncoupled and the third wheel is fixed. If it would also work
when the car is coupled, then you cannot push the third wheel down by
discoupling; the locker wouldnt work.
45. 3rd wheel down + car uncoupled
The locker (right orange part) hold the
3rd wheel (left orange part) in tension;
the couple-connection (blue) is pulled
back by a spring (blue)
coupling
The couple-connection pulls(0) the locker
0 out of the tab location(1) and the pulling
1 2 end (red cross) slides upwards in the
x hole(2) of the backplate (green).
The 3rd wheel already try to turn.(3)
3
coupling + uprising wheel
The trailers coupling is nearly closed and
the 3rd wheel turn 90° in the hoizontal
4 position.
The pulling end is so high in the hole(4),
that it nearly gives the locker free
again.
coupled + uprised/
The puller is at the end; his spring want
to pull him back, but the coupling of the
5
car is holding him.
The puller gets free and flip back because
of the own flexibility.(5)
It‘s possible to push the 3rd wheel down
again, even though the car is coupled.
uncoupling
By uncoupling the car, the spring bring
the puller back in the original position.
If the trailer loaded, the third wheel has
to be pushed down at first.
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
46. design
adaption to the
real trailer
Examination if the trailer-part
For a better and constant development we removed the front part of the
trailer Tiki had given to us. In the coupling system we checked at the part,
which is moving by connecting the trailer to the car. The bolt is able to pull
strongly over a distance of 2 cm. Also we took the right measurments of
the recent adjustment of the third wheel.
The moving part in the
coupling system. The red
dot-line marks the way and
distance it pass.
47. advanced
concept-models
In this idea the spring works also around a tube, which is holding additionalle
the pivotable part and is holded by itself through a sheet-metal-shroud.
This shroud would be able to stop the third wheel at the lowest point and
has directly the connections to the base at the trailers frame.
Here a turnable plate, holded in a ring between two other plates is holding
a tube for spring and the third wheel with two long screws. The holding
plates are connected with screws and also with screws fixed to the base of
the trailer profile.
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
48. design
final concept
Problems of the design with the movable plate had been, that it has to be
really big when it should fit together with the recent holding part of the
third wheel. The tubes with the special cut should be not necessary, while
using the original holding part. The three layers for holding the pivotable
part, also a lot of scews and in this way assembling time is required.
By an inversion of the holding frame to the inside and using the most of the
parts in a opposite way, we finally found an easier design with less parts:
base on the trailer profil
base-plate
movable part
wheel-adjustment
trigger
holding plate
tube
The adjustment for the 3rd wheel
is combined with the movable
part and holding the tube.
The base on the trailer profil is
combined with the base-plate and
the holding-plate; they are fix and
hold the other sid of the tube.
The completely movable part is
stabilized by pressing against the
edge of the holding-plate and
against the end of the tube (which
leads on the base) in the other
direction.
The spring is attached to the
movable part und in a hole in the
fixed holding-plate.
49. - movable parts (orange)
- fixed parts (blue)
- tube (light grey)
- screws (dark grey)
- spring (red)
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
54. design
static-load-stress
analysis
To check if the indeed robust planed design seems to be able for competing
with the reality, we made a digital static-load-stress analysis. It showed
that all expectations on the material should be fulfilled.
55. trigger
development
To find the best working trigger, we had checked also a few different shapes
of the material-spring-mechanism.
stress
final version
displacement
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012
56. design
prototyping
With the help of Tiki we started a prototype-production, to check out the
function in real. For this we had to divide the movable part into two pieces,
which later become welded together. Together with the spring and the
screws, which were supposed to be standard-parts, we assemblied all in
TUT for the testing and the final presentation.
52,5 52,5
80
11 11
40
167
161
22
R3
28
R6
155
Materjali paksus 3mm
Designed by Checked by Approved by Date Date
admin 24.05.2012
Edition Sheet
1/1
A
35
20
55
R3,5
85
0
R2 R3,5
130
20°
167
5
3,
109
130
R5
R90
7
,6
58
3
,5
R5
80
1
4,
31 A(1:1)
16
124°
Materjali paksus 3 mm
5,5
Materjali paksus 3 mm Materjali paksus 2 mm
Designed by Checked by Approved by Date Date Designed by Checked by Approved by Date Date Designed by Checked by Approved by Date Date
admin 24.05.2012 admin 24.05.2012 admin 23.05.2012
puller
Edition Sheet Edition Sheet Edition Sheet
1/1 1/1 kogus 2 1/1
admin
Designed by
Sisemine diameeter vastavalt võimalustele vahemikus 30...36 mm
Oluline välisdiameeter 40 mm.
Checked by
36
Approved by
32
40
tube
Date
23.05.2012
Date
Edition
1/1
Sheet
57. With the exception of the trigger, Tiki made all parts quite well. But while
testing the prototype, Alex and Tarko found out: some parts needs little
changes of 0.1 - 2.0 millimetre in the design, to work fluently. Also the
spring has to have exactly the right power.
design & engineering | TTÜ & EKA Tallinn | springsemester 2012