Universal Autorack Wheel Chock Storage Grating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage devices for wheel chocks on autorack railcars are specific to particular wheel chock designs, limiting interchangeability and causing security and compatibility issues when different chock designs are used, leading to potential disengagement during travel.
Innovation Solution
A universal storage device with a grating comprising regularly spaced horizontal and vertical rods, including gaps to accommodate various tooth configurations, and a locking mechanism to securely hold wheel chocks in different orientations, ensuring compatibility with multiple wheel chock designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If storage devices are configured for use with a particular wheel chock design, then the wheel chock can be securely stored, but the storage device cannot be used interchangeably for all wheel chock designs
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device is designed with a universal grating structure featuring regularly spaced horizontal and vertical rods with gaps, allowing it to accommodate multiple wheel chock designs with different tooth configurations. The grating pattern can engage with various tooth arrangements (single row, double row, offset rows) making the storage device compatible with different chock types while maintaining secure storage capability
Solution Approach 2:
The grating structure incorporates strategically positioned gaps that align with specific tooth rows of wheel chocks. This local variation in the grating structure (gaps versus solid rods) allows selective engagement with different tooth configurations, enabling the same storage device to securely hold multiple chock designs through localized adaptation of the engagement points
2Area of stationary object
If wheel chocks are stored vertically on the side panels below bumper guards, then circulation space is maximized, but the storage device must accommodate chocks in front end-down position
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device utilizes vertical orientation on the side panel to maximize horizontal circulation space. The grating structure is arranged vertically with horizontal rods providing engagement points, allowing the chock to be stored in a vertical plane while maintaining the front end-down position. This dimensional arrangement separates the storage function from the circulation space, achieving both goals simultaneously
Data Source
AI summary
A universal storage device for a wheel chock used in an auto carrier railcar comprises a grating coupled to a backplate. The grating has a regularly spaced array of horizontal rods, including an intermediate horizontal rod with a missing segment that creates a gap in the array. The backplate has a plurality of tabs extending transverse to the horizontal rods that are wrapped around one or more horizontal rods to couple the grating to the backplate. The wheel chock has multiple rows of teeth for engaging the grating. When installed on the storage device, a first row of teeth engages a first horizontal rod of the grating and a second row of teeth is positioned in the gap in the array of horizontal rods. The storage device further comprises a locking flange rotatable between a locked and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking flange engages an upper surface of the wheel chock to secure the wheel chock to the storage device.