Pivoting Winch Tie-Down for Faster Vehicle Load Securing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tie-down systems for securing loads on vehicles are often misplaced, complex, and time-consuming to deploy, leading to inefficiencies in loading and unloading, and there is a need for increased productivity and reduced material waste.
Innovation Solution
A tie-down system comprising a pivot, winch, and anchor, where the pivot includes a pin with a rotatable sleeve, and the winch is attached to the sleeve, allowing for quick and flexible securing of loads with the option for selective mounting on vehicles, using stake pockets and locking mechanisms to prevent unauthorized removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional tie-down systems are used, then load securing function is provided, but deployment time is excessive and productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tie-down system is divided into separate modular components: a tie-down device with pivot and winch, and a separate anchor. This segmentation allows the anchor to remain on the vehicle while the tie-down device can be quickly deployed and removed, significantly reducing deployment time and increasing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor is pre-installed on the vehicle at strategic locations, so that when loading is needed, only the tie-down device requires deployment. This preliminary positioning of the anchor eliminates the need to install entire tie-down systems during loading operations, reducing deployment time.
2Ease of operation
If tie-downs are left accessible on the vehicle, then quick deployment is enabled, but loss or theft of tie-downs occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the anchor (which remains on the vehicle) from the tie-down device (which is deployed and removed), the system ensures that the critical anchoring points stay secured to the vehicle while the operational components can be easily deployed and removed without risk of loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot acts as an intermediary mechanism that connects the tie-down device to the anchor. It provides a controlled interface that allows the tie-down device to be quickly attached and detached while ensuring the anchor remains permanently secured to the vehicle structure.
3Reliability
If complex tie-down systems are used, then load securing capability is enhanced, but system complexity increases and deployment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex winch mechanism from the anchor and places it in a separate, portable tie-down device. This allows the anchor to remain a simple, fixed component while the winch functionality is contained in a self-contained unit that can be easily deployed and removed, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot mechanism provides dynamic adaptability, allowing the tie-down device to be positioned at various angles and orientations to accommodate different loading scenarios. This dynamic capability enhances load securing versatility without requiring multiple specialized anchors or complex fixed installations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate tie-down components are used, then load securing flexibility is improved, but material waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor is designed as a universal component that can work with multiple tie-down devices at different locations on the vehicle. This multi-functionality allows a single anchor design to serve various purposes, reducing the need for multiple specialized components and minimizing material waste.
Data Source
AI summary
A tie-down secures a load onto a vehicle. The tie-down has a pivot, a winch, and an anchor. The pivot has a pin, a rotatable sleeve, a cap, and a base. The pin can be either a solid bar, or an annular tube. The winch is attached to the sleeve. The winch has a U-shaped frame comprising two flanges and a wall interconnecting the flanges. The wall is parallel with and attached to the sleeve. The anchor is attached to the base of the pivot. The anchor can be a solid bar, or C-shaped, or two channels sandwiching part of the pin, or annular. The vehicle has a support surface for supporting the load, and a plurality of the tie-downs. The anchor is either attached to the support surface, or, when the vehicle has stake pockets, is removably mountable within a stake pocket.