Automated Trailer Jackstand Positioning for Dock Loading Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual deployment and retraction of jackstands required for supporting trailers at loading docks pose safety risks and inefficiencies, especially in automated trailer handling environments, as they necessitate human intervention and can lead to trailer collapse or up-ending due to improper positioning of landing gear.
Innovation Solution
An automated jackstand system that includes various mechanisms for remotely deploying and retracting jackstands, such as extendable components, grabbers, and controllers, to securely support the front end of trailers without manual intervention, using sensors for precise positioning and feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual positioning of jackstand is used to support the trailer, then the trailer is safely supported during loading/unloading, but safety risks arise for personnel handling the support and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect when a trailer is positioned at the loading dock and autonomously deploys the jackstand to support the trailer front end, eliminating the need for manual positioning by personnel while maintaining reliable trailer support throughout the loading/unloading process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical positioning system with an automated system that uses sensors for detection and a motorized actuator to deploy and retract the jackstand, substituting human labor with an automated mechanical-electrical system that improves both safety and operational efficiency
2Device complexity
If manual deployment and retraction of jackstand is performed, then the system is simple in structure, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming manual operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection using sensors to identify when a trailer is correctly positioned at the loading dock before deployment begins, and automatically initiates the jackstand deployment sequence, eliminating manual assessment time and accelerating the overall loading/unloading cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a motorized actuator with automated control to replace manual deployment operations, adding electrical and control system components that initially increase complexity but ultimately improve productivity by eliminating time-consuming manual actions and enabling faster, more consistent deployment and retraction cycles
3Productivity
If automated jackstand system is implemented, then productivity and safety are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system serves multiple functions: detecting trailer presence, verifying correct positioning, and triggering the deployment sequence, while the motorized actuator both deploys and retracts the jackstand, reducing the need for separate specialized components and managing system complexity through multi-functional elements
4Device complexity
If jackstand is not properly positioned, then device complexity remains low, but reliability decreases due to trailer collapse or up-ending risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple manual positioning with an automated system that uses sensors to precisely detect trailer position and a motorized actuator to accurately deploy the jackstand at the correct location, eliminating positioning errors that could lead to trailer collapse or up-ending while managing complexity through automated control
Data Source
AI summary
Automated jackstand systems and methods deploy a jackstand to support a front end of a trailer parked at an automated loading dock. The jackstand prevents collapse of the trailer's landing gear and prevents upending of the trailer during loading and unloading. Advantageously, by deploying the jackstand automatically, presence of personnel in the yard where tractors and trailers are moving is not required.