Dock Gate Barrier Hitch Pin Locking Against Accidental Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dock gates introduce an inherent weakness into safety barriers due to their need for easy opening and closing, leading to potential accidents from human error in securing the gate after collisions, as they require users to manually lock and unlock the gate.
Innovation Solution
A dock gate barrier system with a hitch pin and coupling mechanism that automatically locks upon impact, eliminating the need for manual locking or unlocking by allowing the hitch pin to engage with the coupling in response to a load, ensuring the gate remains secured without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional dock gate with manual lock is used, then the gate can be easily opened and closed for user access, but the gate may be accidentally opened during vehicle collision due to human error in securing
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch pin is designed to automatically engage with the coupling when the barrier member is in the closed position, and to automatically disengage when the barrier member bends during a collision. This self-acting mechanism eliminates the need for manual locking and unlocking operations, thereby preventing human error while maintaining ease of opening and closing.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the hitch pin and coupling transitions from a locked state to an unlocked state dynamically in response to the barrier member's deformation during collision. The hitch pin moves from an engaged position (when barrier is straight) to a disengaged position (when barrier bends), providing adaptive security based on the structural state of the barrier.
2Reliability
If a lock mechanism is added to secure the gate, then the barrier becomes more secure against collision, but the system complexity increases due to manual locking requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch pin automatically performs the locking function by engaging with the coupling when the barrier is closed, and automatically unlocks when the barrier bends during collision. This eliminates the need for complex manual locking mechanisms, keys, or control systems, thereby maintaining high security with minimal device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential locking function from complex manual locking systems and implements it through a simple hitch pin-c coupling interface. The solution removes unnecessary components such as locks, keys, motors, and control systems, retaining only the critical engagement feature needed for security.
3Reliability
If the hitch pin automatically engages upon impact, then the barrier becomes impact-resistant, but the hitch pin must be designed to withstand high impact forces
Solution Approach 1:
The hitch pin is pre-positioned to engage with the coupling before impact occurs, establishing the locked state in advance. When collision happens, the barrier member's deformation automatically triggers the disengagement mechanism, allowing the hitch pin to release rather than resist the full impact force, thereby reducing strength requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing the hitch pin to resist and withstand impact forces, the system is designed so that the hitch pin automatically disengages when impact occurs. The inversion approach transforms the hitch pin from a force-resisting component to a force-responsive release mechanism, significantly reducing strength requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A dock gate barrier system includes: a barrier with first and second ends with a central axis extending therebetween, and a coupling defining a passage; and a support member, from which extends a hitch pin, which extends along a longitudinal axis, and can enter and extend into the coupling passage. The hitch pin and the passage are configured such that: in a first configuration, the hitch pin can enter into/withdraw from, the passage; and in a second configuration, in response to a load being applied to the barrier causing it to bend, the hitch pin is engaged with the coupling to thereby lock the coupling relative to the hitch pin and thereby lock the barrier member to the first support member.