Modular dynamically adjustable suspension system for trailers

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a modular apparatus and system for automatically raising and lowering the deck height of a towed trailer. The embodiment is comprised of a trailer frame to which a drop axle is attached via a dynamic height adjustable means, such as electrically operated air springs. The drop axle may have two or more wheels mounted to opposite ends of the drop axle and attached to the trailer frame via the dynamic height adjustable means. Thus allowing the dynamic height adjustable means to raise and lower the trailer frame above and below the centerline of the wheels, which aids loading and unloading of cargo onto the trailer.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to the field of auto parts and vehicle trailer accessories. More particularly, the present invention relates to a modular apparatus and system for the dynamic raising and lowering of a towed vehicle trailer such as a utility trailer, motor-cycle trailer, boat trailer, or soft-tail trailer.

BACKGROUND

A trailer is generally an unpowered vehicle that is attachable to and pulled by a powered vehicle. Commonly, the term trailer refers to unpowered vehicles that are used for transport of goods and materials. The origins lay in utility trailers built in a similar fashion to horse-drawn wagons. Many trailers are made for use with practically any powered vehicle having an appropriate hitch. However, some trailers are part of large trucks called semi-trailer trucks for transportation of cargo. There are also specialized trailers such as open-air motorcycle trailers, bicycle trailers, boat trailers or small automobile trailers riding on a single set of axles. Other trailers, such as utility trailers and travel trailers or campers come in single and multiple axle varieties, to allow for varying sizes of tow vehicles. There also many specialized trailers for housing, storage, mobile businesses, etc. Nearly all of these trailers share the limitation of the trailer's deck or floor being at or above the axle position of the trailer's wheels.

Having the deck or floor of a trailer at or above the axle position of the trailer's wheels makes it difficult to use the trailer for it's primarily purpose, loading, unloading, and carrying cargo. Many of these utility, motorcycle, boat, etc. trailers are designed to tilt about the axle of their wheels to allow the trailer to be easy hitched to a vehicle and to facilitate loading and unloading of cargo. With the deck level of many of these trailers being above the axle position of the trailer's wheels often the trailers must also include a ramp or ramps to facilitate the loading and unloading of cargo. The weight, height and position of these ramps make it difficult to safely and easily load and unload cargo. Furthermore, the design of these ramps also decreases the fuel efficiency of the towing vehicle.

Ramps are added to the utility or cargo trailer because a gradual incline is needed in order to get the cargo up to the same level as the trailer's deck or floor. If the trailer is used to carry heavy cargo including a vehicle such a motorcycle or small car, the ramp has to be strong enough (i.e. heavy enough) to support the weight of the vehicle. What is need is a lightweight apparatus that reduces the complexity of the trailer design by reducing the weight by eliminating the need for ramps and thereby increasing the powered vehicle's fuel efficiency. What is also needed is a system and apparatus of lowering the deck level of a trailer so that it can be loaded easily.

Thus, in view of the foregoing, there is a need for an apparatus and system that overcome the limitations and drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, there is a need for a system and method that provides a dynamic means of lowering the deck of the trailer below the center line of the axle of the trailers wheels. This would allow the trailer to be loaded or unloaded without the assistance of cargo ramps. Embodiments of the present invention provide such solutions.

SUMMARY

The following is a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some of the aspects of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to define the scope of the invention.

In exemplary embodiment, an apparatus and system for automatically raising and lowering the deck height of a trailer is provided. The embodiment is comprised of a trailer frame to which a modular suspension system is attached that comprises a drop axle attached to a dynamic height adjustable suspension system. The drop axle may have two or more wheels mounted at opposite ends of the drop axle and attached to the trailer frame via the dynamic height adjustable suspension system. Thus allowing the dynamic height adjustable suspension system to raise and lower the trailer frame above and below the center line of the wheels, which aids loading and unloading of cargo onto the trailer frame (and/or deck).

In an exemplary embodiment the dynamic height adjustable means comprises air springs coupled to an electrically operable air compressor and an air reservoir tank. The trailer frame is lowered below the center line of the wheels as the air springs collapse when the air compressor pulls air via the compressed air lines from the air springs to the reservoir tank. Likewise, the trailer frame is raised above the centerline of the wheels as the air springs inflate when the air compressor forces air via the compressed air lines from the reservoir tank to the air springs.

In a further exemplary embodiment the dynamic height adjustable means comprises hydraulic springs coupled to an electrically operable hydraulic pump and a hydraulic reservoir tank. The trailer frame is lowered below the center line of the wheels as the hydraulic springs collapse when the hydraulic pump pulls hydraulic fluid via the hydraulic lines from the hydraulic springs to the reservoir tank. Likewise, the trailer frame is raised above the centerline of the wheels as the hydraulic springs inflate when the hydraulic pump forces hydraulic fluid via the hydraulic lines from the reservoir tank to the hydraulic springs.

In another exemplary embodiment the dynamic height adjustable means comprises magnetically adjustable springs coupled to an electrical control system. The magnetically adjustable springs are cable of dynamically damping forces between the surface and the wheels while also allowing the deck of the trailer frame to be raised or lowered to accommodate easy loading and unloading of the trailer.

In an exemplary embodiment the drop axle is further mounted to the trailer frame at each wheel via a trailing arm or a squat bar. One end of the squat bar is mounted to the drop axle at the wheel, and an opposite end of the squat bar is adjustably mounted to trailer frame. The addition of the squat bar provides additional stability and support to the trailer frame.

In a further exemplary embodiment the squat bars are adjustably mounted via shock absorbers to the dynamic height adjustable means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The following is a description of several exemplary embodiments of systems and apparatuses for a dynamic height adjustable trailer suspension system. Embodiments disclosed herein describe a system and apparatus for providing a dynamic height adjustable trailer suspension system. The dynamic height adjustable trailer suspension system has the ability to raise and lower the deck of a trailer above or below the centerline (i.e. axis) of the wheels of the trailer to facilitate easier loading and unloading of cargo. The system comprises dynamically adjustable springs, which are attached between frame of a trailer and to a drop axle attached to the wheels. The drop axle allows the deck of the trailer to be lowered several inches below the centerline of the wheels, thereby placing the deck of the trailer closer to the ground. The lowering and raising of the trailer deck is accomplished through the use of height adjustable springs. This lowering of the deck of the trailer facilitates easier loading and unloading of cargo.

FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary of the dynamically height adjustable trailer suspension system100. In one embodiment, a standard rectangular utility trailer110is used. Attached to either side of the frame of the utility trailer110is a pair of spring mounts135. The spring mounts135may be placed in an area of the utility trailer110that is usually reserved for wheel attachments. Attached to each of the spring mounts is an adjustable spring130. In an exemplary embodiment, air springs130are used. However, these could just as easily be hydraulic springs or electro-magnetic springs. The air springs130are fixedly attached to the spring mounts135along their upper portions. Along a lower portion of the air springs130, a drop axle125is adjustably attached. At opposite ends of the drop axle125are vertical wheel mounts120. Attached to the wheel mounts120are wheels115to facilitate the movement of the utility trailer110. The vertical wheel mounts120include mounting points for the center hubs185of the trailer's wheels115. In an exemplary embodiment, small diameter wheels are used in order to facilitate providing a modular height adjustable suspension system100that can place the trailer110lower to the ground. Along an upper surface of the utility trailer110are supply lines140. In this embodiment, the supply lines140carry compressed air from a compressor160and reservoir tank155to the air springs130. The utility trailer110frame is lowered below the center line of the wheels115as the air springs130collapse when the air compressor160pulls air via the supply lines140from the air springs130to the reservoir tank155. Likewise, the utility trailer110frame is raised above the centerline of the wheels115as the air springs130inflate when the air compressor160forces air via the supply lines140from the reservoir tank155to the air springs130.

Referring now toFIG. 2, the components of this modular height adjustable suspension system are illustrated. The combination of these components working together provides a modular height adjustable suspension system for a utility trailer110that allows the deck of the utility trailer to be lowered closer to the ground to facilitate easier loading and unloading. The combination of the components of this modular system also provides an air, hydraulic, or magnetic suspension system to a standard utility trailer110provides improved damping protection for cargo being carried by the utility trailer110. According to an embodiment the mechanical portions of the dynamically height adjustable trailer suspension system100are comprised of components including wheels115, vertical wheel mounts120, drop axle125, springs130, spring mounts135, damping shock absorbers145, pan-hard bar150, squat bar165, squat bar mount170and rate/height limiting strap175. In an exemplary embodiment, spring mounts135and squat bar mounts170are attached to the frame of the trailer110. In an exemplary embodiment, air springs130are fixedly attached between the spring mounts135and the squat bar165. The squat bar165is adjustably attached to the squat bar mount170and fixedly attached to the drop axle125. A rate/height limiting strap175is mounted between the trailer frame and the squat bar. The rate/height limiting strap175limits the travel of the suspension system100relative to the trailer110. The rate/height-limiting strap175further prevents damage to the suspension system100by only allowing the suspension system100drop a few dew degrees relative to the trailer110and it prevents the suspension components from being overextended. The rate/height-limiting strap175further prevents tipping of the trailer and its cargo if an obstacle is encountered while backing up the trailer. Similarly the panhard bar150is designed to prevent lateral movement of the drop axle125. In an embodiment, the panhard bar150is adjustably attached to the frame of the trailer110via an adjustable attachment means187and extends across to adjustably attach to a squat bar165on the opposite side of the trailer110. The panhard bar150is attached on either end with pivots that permit it to swivel upwards and downwards only, so that the axle is allowed to move in the vertical plane only.

Further to the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2;FIG. 3illustrates the modular adjustable suspension system in operation. For example, air springs130are attached to spring mounts135and between the deck of the trailer frame110at one end and the squat bar165at the other end. Attached to the top of the air springs130are supply lines140. These supply lines are attached to an air compressor160and an air reservoir tank155. As the compressor160pulls air from the air springs130via the supply lines140, the air springs begin to compress130b. When the air springs begin to compress130b, the bottom portion of the air springs130a, which are attached to the drop axel125, guide the deck of the trailer110closer to the ground. Similarly, when the compressor160pumps air from the reservoir tank155to fill the air springs130, the bottom of the air springs130aforces down upon the drop axel125, which causes the deck of the trailer110to rise. In an exemplary embodiment the compressor160is electrically operable. The electrical compressor160may be electrically connected to the vehicle towing the trailer. The electrical compressor160may also feature its own power supply. In an embodiment, the compressor160has a control panel180, which allows an operator to adjustably adjust the height of the trailer110.

In another embodiment the air springs130, supply lines140, and compressor160can be replaced with hydraulic springs130, supply lines140and pump160. The supply lines are attached to a hydraulic pump160and a hydraulic reservoir tank155. As the pump160pulls fluid from the air springs130via the supply lines140the deck of the trailer110is lowered. Similarly, when the pump160pulls fluid from the reservoir tank155to fill the hydraulic springs130, the deck of the trailer110is raised. In an exemplary embodiment the pump160is electrically operable. The electrical pump160may be electrically connected to the vehicle towing the trailer. The electrical pump160may also feature its own power supply. In an embodiment, the pump160has a control panel180, which allows an operator to adjustably adjust the height of the trailer110.

In another embodiment the air springs130, supply lines140, reservoir tank155and compressor160can be replaced with magnetic springs130and an electrical control panel180. The control panel180is configured to allow the magnetic springs130to be height adjusted by the operator. Therefore, in an embodiment, the height of the trailer110deck is electrically adjustable.

The suspension system features dampening shock absorbers145which aid in ensuring smoother travel for the trailer110and deck. In an exemplary embodiment, the dampening shock absorbers are adjustably mounted between the upper air-spring mount135and the squat bar165, thereby aiding the deck of the trailer110to raise and lower in an orderly fashion.

One of the reasons the trailer is capable of raising and lowering below the centerline of the wheels115is due to the use of a drop axle125.FIG. 4illustrates a drop axle125. The drop axle125is a substantially elongated “U” shaped device. The axle spans the width of the trailer110, in the horizontal plane, at either end of the drop axle125are vertical wheel mounts120. The vertical wheel mounts120arc designed to extend up to receive mounting points for the center of the trailer's wheels115. In an exemplary embodiment, the center hubs185of the wheels115are spinning center hubs so that the drop axle125does not turn at all when mounted to wheels115. The unique shape of the drop axle125is designed to allow the deck of the trailer110to be lowered below the centerline of the trailer's wheels115. The deck of the trailer110can also be raised above the centerline of the trailer's wheels115. In an embodiment, the trailer's wheels115are typical12″ to25″ diameter towing wheels depending on the trailer frame requirements. As explained above, in an exemplary embodiment, smaller diameter wheels are used to facilitate lowering the deck of the trailer110closer to ground.

In an embodiment, the modular dynamically height adjustable suspension system for towed trailers is designed to be added on to a utility trailer110as an after-market kit. In another embodiment, the suspension system may be built into a trailer system. In the embodiments described herein, the trailer110is a typical rectangular framed utility trailer. However, the trailer could also be a motorcycle, boat, horse, or any other utility trailer. The system could also be used with recreational vehicle trailers, storage trailers, food vendor trailers, etc.

While the present invention has been described in connection with the exemplary embodiments of the various figures, it is not limited thereto and it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiments for performing the same function of the present invention without deviating therefrom. Furthermore, it should be emphasized that a variety of trailer platforms, suspension components, axles and wheel systems are contemplated. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims. Also, the appended claims should be construed to include other variants and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention.