Latch System for Cargo Deck Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cargo deck conveying assemblies for vehicles often lack secure intermediate positions, leading to inconvenient and potentially unsafe operation, especially in sub-optimal conditions like cramped spaces or uneven surfaces, as they can unintentionally transition during loading or unloading.
Innovation Solution
A latch frame and notch frame system with a notched bar and biasing mechanism that allows the latch paddle to be biased into multiple notches along the path, providing secure engagement at various positions beyond the fully-extended and fully-retracted states, enabling controlled extension and retraction of the cargo deck.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a slidable cargo deck conveying assembly is installed to facilitate loading and unloading, then access to the cargo deck is improved, but the cargo deck may unintentionally transition during operation leading to safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The conveying assembly is divided into discrete position segments marked by notches along the guide rails. The latch mechanism engages with these segmented positions to provide discrete, controllable stopping points rather than continuous movement, preventing unintentional transitions between positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is pre-configured with multiple engagement notches along the path of the conveying assembly. These notches are positioned in advance to define safe stopping positions, allowing the operator to securely halt the deck at predetermined locations before loading or unloading operations begin.
2Ease of operation
If the cargo deck is extended from the truck bed to provide fuller access, then loading and unloading convenience is improved, but the deck becomes vulnerable to unintentional movement
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism applies a preliminary locking action at extended positions through the engagement of the paddle with notches. This pre-emptive securing prevents harmful unintentional movement from occurring during loading or unloading operations at extended positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch paddle acts as an intermediary element between the conveying assembly and the truck bed structure. It mediates the connection by engaging with notches in the guide rails, providing secure intermediate positioning that prevents harmful movement while allowing controlled extension and retraction.
3Ease of operation
If a latch mechanism with multiple notches is implemented to provide secure intermediate positions, then positioning control is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism with multiple notches serves multiple functions: it provides secure locking at extended positions, defines intermediate stopping points, and enables controlled retraction. This multi-functional design achieves superior positioning control without requiring multiple separate locking mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides secure, controlled positioning of the cargo deck at multiple points along its path, enhancing safety and convenience by preventing unintentional movement during loading and unloading, even in challenging environments.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing mechanism may operably couple to the latch frame and the latch rod and may be configured to bias the latch paddle into the multiple notches
Implementation Method 2
The latch paddle may be gravitationally biased into removable engagement with the plurality of notches as the latch frame slides along the notch frame
Data Source
AI summary
A slidable conveying assembly may include a latch frame and a latch rod rotatably engaged with, and extending at least partially through the latch frame. The latch rod may include a latch paddle at a first end. The assembly may also include a notch frame configured to slidably engage with the latch frame and a notched bar that may extend at least partially through the front notch frame and that may include multiple notches. The assembly may also include a biasing mechanism operably coupled to the latch frame and the latch rod and configured to bias the latch paddle into the multiple notches such that the latch paddle is biased into removable engagement with the multiple notches as the latch frame slides along the notch frame.