Foldable Wheel Chock with Integrated Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel chocks are heavy, prone to rust, difficult to securely attach during transport, and occupy too much space, leading to safety hazards and storage inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A foldable wheel chock design with pivotally mounted leg members and a flexible receiving means, featuring complementary attachment members that allow for secure attachment to vehicles and each other without straps, enabling compact storage and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If wheel chocks are made in one piece, then they are simple in structure, but they are bulky during storage and occupy too much space
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel chock is divided into two separate blocks: a lower block with a ground-contacting surface and an upper block with a wheel-contacting surface. These blocks can be stored separately in a compact configuration and assembled into a functional wedge shape when needed, reducing storage volume while maintaining structural simplicity during use
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel chock transitions between two dynamic states: a compact stored state where the blocks are separated or folded together occupying minimal space, and an operational state where the blocks form a rigid wedge structure. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the same object to satisfy both storage efficiency and functional requirements
2Strength
If wheel chocks are made of steel, then they are strong and durable, but they are heavy and prone to rust
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel chock uses composite construction with the lower block made of a heavy, rust-resistant material (such as rubber or polymer) for ground contact, and the upper block made of a lighter material (such as plastic or aluminum) for wheel contact. This composite approach reduces overall weight and eliminates rust issues while maintaining the necessary strength and durability through material selection optimized for each specific function
3Ease of operation
If wheel chocks are secured with straps during transport, then they can be attached to vehicles, but the straps wear down with time due to large forces, creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment function is merged into the wheel chock structure itself through integrated attachment members (such as loops, hooks, or coupling elements) built into the blocks. This eliminates the need for separate straps, as the attachment mechanism becomes an intrinsic part of the chock, distributing forces directly through the structural components rather than through vulnerable flexible straps
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel chock attaches to the vehicle using its own integrated attachment members without requiring external securing elements. The attachment system is self-contained within the chock design, allowing it to secure itself to the vehicle structure through direct mechanical coupling, thereby eliminating the wear and failure risks associated with separate strap systems
4Volume of moving object
If wheel chocks are foldable with hinged leg members, then they occupy little space during storage, but they are difficult to fasten to brackets without straps
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment members are merged into the block structures themselves, with each block containing integrated coupling elements (such as loops, eyes, or mechanical connectors). This allows the foldable chock to attach directly to vehicle brackets or to other chocks in a stack using its own structural components, eliminating the need for separate straps or complex external fastening mechanisms while maintaining compact storage capability
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 design enhances safety by preventing rotation during transport, reduces wear on securing mechanisms, and allows for efficient stacking and use on vehicles, addressing the issues of weight, rust, and space occupancy.
Implementation Method 1
The leg members are pivotally mounted to each other at the inner end edges of the leg members
Implementation Method 2
a flexible receiving means is fastened between the outer, transverse end edges of the lower and the upper leg member
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A foldable wheel chock 1 for braking a stationary vehicle, which is constituted by an upper 2 and a lower 3 leg member, said leg members 2, 3 comprising an inner 4 and an outer 5 surface with longitudinal side edges 6 and transverse, inner and outer end edges 7', 7", said leg members 2, 3 being pivotally mounted to each other at the inner end edges 7' of the leg members 2, 3 and with the inner surfaces 4 of the leg members 2, 3 facing toward each other while a flexible receiving means 9 is fastened between the outer, transverse end edges 7" of the lower 3 and the upper leg member 2, wherein said wheel chock 1 can assume a configuration for use, in which said leg members 2, 3 are angled relative to each other with said receiving means 9 extended between the leg members 2, 3, and a transport configuration with a substantially planar shape, in which said leg members 2, 3 are disposed substantially in parallel with each other, wherein the wheel chock 1 comprises at least one attachment means 10 comprising two members, wherein a first member 11 is adapted for attaching the outer surface 5 of said lower leg member 3 to a first external surface 13, and a second member 12 is adapted for attaching the outer surface 5 of the upper leg member 2 to a second external surface 14, and wherein the first 1 1 and the second 12 attachment member constitute complementary attachment means 10.