Movable Blocking Arm for Loading Dock Vehicle Immobilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle immobilization devices at loading docks are prone to damage during improper maneuvers and fail to ensure secure immobilization, especially with heavy vehicles, due to unintentional starts or incorrect maneuvering protocols.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a movable blocking arm with detection means, such as a positioning head with a cam and sensor, and optical detectors, which automatically adjusts its position to block the vehicle's wheels, ensuring secure immobilization without damage, even during erroneous maneuvers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed blocking structure is used to prevent vehicle movement, then vehicle immobilization reliability is improved, but the device is vulnerable to damage during improper maneuvers
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking arm is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. It can extend to block the wheel and retract to avoid damage during improper maneuvers, transforming the static structure into a dynamic one that adapts to different operational conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The detection means (positioning head with cam and sensor) detects the vehicle wheel position in advance and triggers the blocking arm to extend before the vehicle makes contact. This preliminary action prevents the need for reactive blocking that would subject the device to impact forces
2Strength
If a movable blocking arm is used to avoid damage, then device protection during improper maneuvers is improved, but vehicle immobilization reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning head with cam and sensor provides continuous feedback on the vehicle wheel position. This feedback loop ensures the blocking arm extends at the correct moment to reliably immobilize the vehicle while retracting when the vehicle is properly positioned, maintaining both safety and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking arm extends in advance based on detection signals before the vehicle makes contact, ensuring immobilization is established proactively rather than reactively, thereby maintaining reliability while protecting the device
3Measurement precision
If detection means are added to improve positioning accuracy, then vehicle positioning precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cam acts as an intermediary mechanical element that converts the vehicle wheel position into rotational motion of the positioning arm, which is then detected by the sensor. This intermediary mechanism provides precise positioning information through simple mechanical means rather than complex electronic sensors
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 device effectively prevents unintentional vehicle movement and minimizes damage to the blocking mechanism, providing a reliable and user-friendly solution for secure vehicle immobilization at loading docks.
Implementation Method 1
angular return means for the positioning arm perpendicular to the docking track
Implementation Method 2
a cam disposed in the upper part of said central axis with an angular sector and a sensor
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for blocking a vehicle in front of a loading dock in a docking path, said device comprising a frame (10), a blocking module (12) provided with manoeuvring means (14) along the frame, characterized in that said blocking module (12) comprises a chassis (12-0) in translation, supporting a blocking head (16) and a detection means (18).