Load Sensing Wheel Chocks for Aerial Device Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerial device operators face challenges in maintaining load distribution and operational limits when working on uneven surfaces, as they lack real-time monitoring of load on wheel chocks, which can lead to increased lateral forces and torques on outriggers.
Innovation Solution
A wheel chock system equipped with sensors to measure load and transmit data to a processor for display, allowing operators to monitor and maintain load distribution within operational limits, featuring integrated load cells and a display for real-time feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wheel chocks are used to reduce side force and torque on outriggers, then outrigger safety is improved, but operators have no way of knowing the actual force on wheel chocks leading to potential overload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates load cells in the wheel chocks that provide real-time feedback on the forces being applied. Sensors measure the load on each wheel chock and transmit this information to a display system, allowing operators to monitor the actual forces and ensure they remain within safe operational limits while maintaining outrigger safety.
2Force
If wheel chocks are placed under tires to receive vehicle load on incline, then lateral load on outriggers is reduced, but operators cannot monitor load distribution changes as boom is rotated
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses load cells in each wheel chock to continuously monitor load distribution and provides real-time feedback through a display system. This allows operators to see how load distribution changes as the boom is rotated or as conditions change, enabling them to maintain safe operational parameters while benefiting from reduced lateral loads on outriggers.
3Device complexity
If traditional wheel chocks are used without sensors, then device complexity is minimized, but real-time load monitoring capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces simple mechanical wheel chocks with an enhanced system that incorporates load cells and electronic sensors. This substitution introduces measurement capabilities that were previously unavailable, allowing for precise load monitoring while maintaining the fundamental wheel chock function of supporting the vehicle on inclines.
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
Enables operators to maintain load distribution within specifications, reducing the risk of exceeding operational limits and ensuring safe boom operations by providing real-time load data on each wheel chock.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor for measuring the load on the at least one wheel chock imparted by the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A wheel chock system comprising at least one wheel chock for supporting a vehicle, detecting a load imparted by the vehicle, and displaying information indicative of the load imparted by the vehicle is described herein. In some embodiments, the wheel chock detects a load imparted by a vehicle with a load sensor and displays the load. The wheel chock may be in communication with other wheel chocks supporting the vehicle. The wheel chocks may display the loads detected by all wheel chocks and may determine and display a load distribution across all wheel chocks.