Partition Wall Lock With Clamping Force Feedback for Cargo Securing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing partition wall closures for transport vehicles lack feedback on the clamping force applied, making it difficult to ensure secure fixation of loads during transport, as the clamping force is typically set based on operator experience rather than measurable data.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a clamping force indicator with an optical display that adjusts proportionally to the mechanical clamping force, allowing for reproducible and safety-relevant force measurement, which can be mechanical or electrosensory, using a piezoelectric sensor or an elastic element like a spring, to provide visual feedback on the clamping force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the clamping force is set based on operator experience without feedback, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of load securing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism through a clamping force indicator that provides visual feedback to the operator about the clamping force being applied. The indicator includes a display element that moves in response to clamping force, allowing the operator to verify that sufficient clamping force has been achieved. This resolves the contradiction by providing reliability-enhancing feedback while keeping the system relatively simple through mechanical or electro-sensory indicator designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent offers an electro-sensory variant where mechanical clamping force measurement is replaced with electrical sensing elements. This substitution provides more precise measurement and feedback while maintaining acceptable device complexity through the use of modern sensing technology, thereby improving reliability without excessive complexity increase.
2Reliability
If a clamping force indicator is added to provide visual feedback, then the reliability of load securing is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping force indicator provides visual feedback to the operator about the magnitude of clamping force being applied. The indicator system includes a display element coupled to sense the clamping force and provide visual information, enabling the operator to verify proper securing. This feedback mechanism directly improves reliability by eliminating guesswork while the design keeps complexity manageable through straightforward indicator implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary indicator system that mediates between the clamping force generation mechanism and the operator. This intermediary provides translated visual information about clamping force without requiring the operator to directly measure or calculate forces, simplifying the interaction while improving reliability through objective feedback.
3Measurement precision
If the clamping force indicator is made electro-sensory using piezoelectric sensors, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent describes an electro-sensory variant where mechanical force sensing is replaced with piezoelectric or other electrical sensors. This substitution provides more precise and quantifiable measurement of clamping force, enabling better control and verification. The increased measurement precision is achieved while managing complexity through the use of modern electronic sensing components that can be integrated into the existing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from mechanical indicator movement to electrical parameter changes for sensing clamping force. By using piezoelectric sensors or other electrical sensing elements, the system converts mechanical force into electrical signals that can be measured and displayed with higher precision. This parameter change enables more accurate measurement while the electrical components can be designed to fit within the existing device form factor.
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 reliable and reproducible securement of loads by providing visual feedback on the clamping force, ensuring the partition wall closure remains fixed during transport, even under dynamic conditions like braking.
Implementation Method 1
In an electro-sensory variant, for example, the clamping force on the front side of the partition wall closure can be detected using a piezoelectric sensor
Implementation Method 2
In a fully mechanical variant, an elastic element with a defined characteristic curve can be provided, such as a spring, which is displaced or compressed in the longitudinal direction of the hollow profile and accordingly exerts a counterforce proportional to its displacement or compression
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a partition wall lock (1) for securing cargo (103) on a loading platform (101) of a transport vehicle (100), wherein the partition wall lock (1) has a clamping hook (3) on at least one of two opposite end faces (2), the clamping hook projecting beyond the end face (2) at an adjustable distance and being clampable with respect to the end face (2), characterized in that the partition wall lock (1) has a clamping force indicator (5) received in a hollow profile (4) of the partition wall lock (1) and displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the partition wall lock (1) against a mechanical clamping force, with an optical display (6) that adjusts proportionally to the mechanical clamping force. A corresponding arrangement is further described.