Eccentric Hook Assembly for Jam-Free Vehicle Dock Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dock restraint systems often experience 'jamming' and interference issues when trying to engage or disengage from vehicles with different frame configurations, particularly when vehicles shift during loading or unloading, leading to operational inefficiencies and the need for manual intervention or power assistance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle restraint system featuring a hook assembly with a base, crown, and offset shank that allows lateral translation before rotational movement, combined with an eccentric mounting arrangement and catch assembly, enabling smooth engagement and disengagement from vehicle frames without jamming, even when vehicles have moved or shifted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the restraining member is pivotably supported by the carriage to engage vehicle guards, then the vehicle can be securely restrained, but the system becomes prone to jamming and interference when vehicles shift during loading/unloading
Solution Approach 1:
The hook assembly is designed with dynamic movement capabilities, allowing it to translate laterally and rotate relative to the carriage. This dynamic design enables the hook to adapt to vehicle shifts and maintain proper engagement while avoiding jamming, resolving the contradiction between secure restraint and easy disengagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook assembly is divided into separate functional components: a body portion, a shank portion, and a tooth portion. This segmentation allows each component to move independently, with the shank translating laterally and the tooth engaging the vehicle guard, preventing jamming while maintaining secure restraint.
2Reliability
If the hook engages tightly with the vehicle guard to prevent vehicle translation, then security is improved, but disengagement becomes difficult when vehicles have shifted
Solution Approach 1:
The hook assembly incorporates dynamic translation and rotation movements relative to the carriage, allowing it to maintain tight engagement with shifted vehicles while enabling easy disengagement through controlled movement in the opposite direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary lateral translation of the hook assembly before rotational engagement with the vehicle guard. This preliminary action positions the hook to engage shifted vehicles effectively while preparing for smooth disengagement by reversing the translation motion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the restraining member is designed to accommodate various vehicle frame configurations, then versatility is improved, but the system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hook assembly is designed as a universal component that can engage with various vehicle frame configurations through its combination of lateral translation and rotational movements. The same hook body, shank, and tooth configuration adapts to different vehicle types, providing multi-functionality without requiring multiple specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic movement capabilities of the hook assembly allow a single standardized design to accommodate various vehicle frame configurations. The lateral translation and rotation motions enable the hook to adapt to different positions and angles of vehicle guards, providing versatility without increasing 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 effectively secures vehicles to loading docks, preventing translation and allowing for easy disengagement without manual intervention, even when vehicles have shifted, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing the need for power assistance.
Implementation Method 1
an eccentric mounting arrangement and catch assembly, enabling smooth engagement and disengagement from vehicle frames without jamming
Implementation Method 2
The hook assembly (30) includes a hook body (32), an insert (60), and a cover (80). The insert (60) is constructed to receive the hook body (32) such that the hook body (32) is rotatable relative to the insert (60) about a pivot shaft (143)
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle restraint system that includes a carriage and a hook that is moveable relative to the carriage. The hook is moveable between an engaged or extended position wherein the hook interferes with translation of vehicle relative to the vehicle restraint system and a disengaged or retracted position wherein the vehicle can be associated with or removed from interaction with the vehicle restraint system. The hook is secured to the carriage via an eccentric pivot assembly such that translation of the hook relative to the carriage includes an least partially lateral translation of the hook relative to the carriage thereby improving the repeatability associated with operation of the restraint system to securely engage and disengage respective vehicles from the restraint system without independent manipulation of the position of the vehicle relative to the restraint system.