Bidirectional Wheel Chock with Sliding Base Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel restraint systems are inefficient in preventing vehicles from moving in both forward and rearward directions, especially in open areas, as they require high capital investment, are cumbersome, and often damage when strong forces are involved, and are not suitable for cold weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional wheel chock restraint system using a ground-anchored base plate with a single double-sided wheel chock or two single-sided wheel chocks, which can slide between forward and rearward blocking positions, providing strong restraining capabilities without the need for side railings or complex structures, and can be easily installed and removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional wheel chocks are used, then they are simple to use, but they are inefficient when strong forces are involved
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel chock is divided into a movable chock body and a fixed base plate with multiple stoppers. The chock body can slide along the longitudinal axis to engage with different stoppers, providing segmented positioning options while maintaining structural integrity against strong forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel chock transitions from a static conventional design to a dynamic system where the chock body can slide between forward and rearward blocking positions. This dynamic capability allows the same device to adapt to different blocking directions while maintaining reliability under strong forces.
2Reliability
If ground-anchored wheel restraint systems are used, then they are efficient for preventing vehicle departure, but they are designed for only one direction
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel chock is designed with dual functionality to block wheels in both forward and rearward directions. By incorporating both forward-blocking and rearward-blocking teeth on the same chock body, a single device performs multiple functions that would otherwise require separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The chock body can dynamically reposition along the longitudinal axis to engage different stoppers depending on the required blocking direction. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to adapt from unidirectional to bidirectional restraint as needed.
3Reliability
If side railings or blocking structures are installed, then they provide vehicle restraint, but they require high capital cost investment and are cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system is segmented into a fixed base plate with stoppers and a movable chock body. This segmentation eliminates the need for complex side railings while providing effective vehicle restraint through the sliding chock mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential restraining function from complex side railing structures and concentrates it into a simplified base plate with stoppers and a sliding chock. This extraction removes unnecessary structural complexity while maintaining restraint effectiveness.
4Reliability
If blocking structures are permanently installed, then they provide continuous restraint, but they are invasive and create complications in cold weather
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel chock transitions from a permanently fixed blocking structure to a dynamic, movable device. The chock body can be slid to different positions or removed entirely, providing continuous restraint when needed while eliminating the invasive presence and cold weather complications of permanent structures.
Data Source
AI summary
The bidirectional wheel chock restraint system is used for preventing a parked vehicle from moving both in a forward direction and a rearward direction. The restraint system includes an elongated ground-anchored base plate having a plurality of stoppers that are transversally-disposed over the base plate and that are spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal axis. Depending on the implementation, the restraint system also include either a single double-sided wheel chock or two single-sided wheel chocks.