Movable Chock Assembly for Vehicle Test Rig
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chocks used in vehicle testing are cumbersome to position and secure, requiring multiple units and obstructing access to dynamometer test rigs, making it difficult to reconfigure the test rig between different vehicle types and increasing the time needed to swap vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A chock assembly comprising a guide member and a securing member, where the guide member is movably coupled to the securing member, allowing the chock to be slidably or rotationally positioned along the test rig, and a support structure that can be used as a handle to move the guide member laterally without altering its longitudinal position, reducing obstruction and facilitating the movement of vehicles and equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional chocks are used to secure non-driven wheels, then the vehicle is kept in position on the dynamometer, but the chocks are cumbersome to position and secure, requiring manual handling of heavy objects (up to 50 kg each)
Solution Approach 1:
The chock system is divided into multiple components: a base unit with securing mechanism, an extendable arm with chock, and a guide member. This segmentation allows the heavy chock to be positioned remotely without direct manual handling, while maintaining secure vehicle positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
An extendable arm acts as an intermediary between the operator and the chock. The arm can be extended to reach the vehicle wheel, position the chock, and then retracted, eliminating the need for operators to manually handle and position heavy chocks directly.
2Reliability
If multiple individual chocks are used to prevent wheel movement, then the vehicle is securely positioned, but the test rig reconfiguration time increases due to the need to move and re-secure each chock individually
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple chocks are integrated into a single unified assembly with a common base unit and securing mechanism. This allows all chocks to be positioned and secured simultaneously as one unit rather than individually, significantly reducing reconfiguration time while maintaining the same wheel securing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The chock assembly incorporates movable and adjustable components including an extendable arm and adjustable chock positions, allowing the entire assembly to be dynamically repositioned and reconfigured quickly between different vehicle types without manual intervention for each chock.
3Reliability
If chocks are positioned to secure wheels, then the vehicle remains in position during testing, but the chocks block access to the test bed, reducing accessibility when moving vehicles and equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The guide member and chock assembly are designed to be movable along the test bed. During vehicle positioning, the assembly can be moved out of the way to clear the test bed for accessibility. During testing, the assembly is positioned to secure the vehicle. This dynamic repositioning maintains both accessibility and position stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The chock can be extracted or removed from the guide member when not in use, allowing the guide member to be stored in a compact position that does not block access to the test bed, while the chock itself can be stored separately or repositioned to a location that does not obstruct movement.
Data Source
AI summary
A chock assembly for a vehicle test rig includes a guide member, a chock, and a securing member. The chock is coupled to the guide member, and the securing member is configured to secure the guide member to the vehicle test rig. The guide member is movably coupled to the securing member.