Automated Trailer Jackstand Deployment for Landing Gear Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual handling of jackstands to support trailers during loading and unloading is a safety concern, particularly in automated trucking environments where trailers need to be securely positioned without human intervention to prevent collapse or up-ending due to improper landing gear positioning.
Innovation Solution
An automated jackstand system that includes a jackstand with a vertically extendable component, a collar, and a mechanical socket, coupled with a grabber on a yard tractor for remote deployment and retraction, ensuring safe and stable trailer support through automated positioning and deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual handling of jackstand is used to support trailers during loading/unloading, then safety of trailer support is improved, but labor intensity and safety risk to workers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The jackstand system performs self-service through automated deployment and retraction mechanisms. The grabber mechanism automatically positions and secures the jackstand under the trailer without requiring manual intervention, while the vertically extendable component automatically adjusts to support the trailer weight, eliminating the need for workers to manually position and operate the jackstand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated mechanical system. The grabber mechanism with retractable claws and drive bit substitutes for manual positioning, while the mechanically geared socket and vertically extendable component substitute for manual jackstand operation, transforming a labor-intensive manual process into an automated mechanical system.
2Productivity
If automated jackstand deployment is implemented, then labor intensity is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The jackstand system employs nesting by placing the vertically extendable component within the collar structure, and the mechanical socket within the collar. The grabber mechanism with retractable claws nests around the collar, allowing the compact storage and deployment of complex components in a space-efficient manner that reduces overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated jackstand system is segmented into distinct functional modules: the grabber mechanism with retractable claws for positioning, the drive bit for engagement, the mechanically geared socket for extension control, and the vertically extendable component for support. This segmentation allows each module to be independently designed and optimized, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining automated functionality.
3Manufacturing precision
If the mechanically geared socket is used to extend/retract the vertically extendable component, then precision control of jackstand height is improved, but mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanically geared socket acts as an intermediary between the drive bit and the vertically extendable component. It provides precise height control through its geared mechanism while isolating the complexity of the precision control function from the overall system, allowing the extendable component to be controlled accurately without requiring complex control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Automated jackstand systems and methods deploy a jackstand to support a front end of a trailer parked at an automated loading dock. The jackstand prevents collapse of the trailer's landing gear and prevents upending of the trailer during loading and unloading. Advantageously, by deploying the jackstand automatically, presence of personnel in the yard where tractors and trailers are moving is not required.