Telescopic Wheel Chock Tension Feedback for Dock Vehicle Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securing road freight vehicles during loading and unloading at loading docks are prone to safety risks due to uncertainty in chock placement, inefficiency in blocking forces, especially in adverse weather conditions like snow or ice, and require high accuracy in positioning.
Innovation Solution
A chocking apparatus with a telescoping arm and an arm tension detecting system that adjusts the telescoping arm's position based on tension measures to ensure secure engagement and automatic activation of safety routines if the tension falls outside a predetermined range, using a hydraulic system and control system for precise control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a telescopic arm with engagement means is used to block vehicle wheels, then the capability to easily maneuver the engagement means into a blocking engagement from the outside of the vehicle is improved, but the blocking action becomes less efficient over time due to vibrations and forces during loading/unloading that change the exact position of the vehicle wheel
Solution Approach 1:
The chocking apparatus uses a telescopic arm that can dynamically adjust its length to maintain optimal blocking force. The arm extends and retracts in response to detected wheel position changes, ensuring continuous effective blocking despite vibrations and forces during loading/unloading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a wheel position detecting system that continuously monitors the position of vehicle wheels and provides feedback to the control system. This feedback enables the telescopic arm to adjust its position and maintain effective blocking engagement throughout the loading/unloading process.
2Reliability
If hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly is used to actuate the telescopic arm, then the capability to compensate for minor movements is improved, but the force by which the vehicle is kept in position is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly applies partial compensation forces to handle minor wheel position adjustments, while the main blocking force is provided by the mechanical engagement of the chock with the wheel. This division allows minor movements to be compensated without significantly reducing the overall blocking force.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly to provide controlled, adjustable force for maintaining wheel blocking. The hydraulic system can be designed to provide sufficient blocking force while allowing for minor position adjustments through controlled hydraulic pressure variations.
3Reliability
If fixed devices are used for blocking vehicle wheels, then the blocking action is more stable, but high accuracy in positioning the vehicle is required and snow clearance work becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The chocking apparatus uses a movable telescopic arm that can dynamically adjust its position to accommodate variations in vehicle positioning accuracy. Unlike fixed devices, the telescopic arm can extend and retract to maintain effective blocking engagement even when vehicle positioning is not perfectly accurate.
Solution Approach 2:
The chocking apparatus is divided into separate functional components: a stationary support structure and a movable telescopic arm with engagement means. This segmentation allows the support structure to remain stable while the telescopic arm adjusts to maintain blocking effectiveness, combining stability with adaptability.
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
Enhances safety by maintaining optimal blocking force and preventing unintentional vehicle movement, even in adverse conditions, through continuous monitoring and adjustment of the chocking apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
If the relative positions of the telescopic arm is actuated by means of applying a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly
Implementation Method 2
an arm tension detecting system configured for obtaining a tension-related measure representing a tension in said telescoping arm
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A chocking apparatus (1) for preventing unintentional movement of a road freight vehicle comprises a telescoping arm (10) which comprises a first member (11) telescopically displaceable with respect to a second member. The chocking apparatus further comprises displacement driving means (40) arranged for moving the first member telescopically in relation to the second member. The chocking apparatus also comprises an arm support (30), to which a first end (13) of the telescoping arm being attached and a chock, attached to a second end of the telescoping arm. The chocking apparatus further comprises an arm tension detecting system (5) configured for obtaining a tension-related measure representing a tension in said telescoping arm. The chocking apparatus further comprises a control system (70) connected to the arm tension detecting system and configured for activation of the displacement driving means for retracting the telescoping arm if the tension-related measure falls outside a predetermined range.