Variable Width Truck Alignment System with Blocking Chocks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current loading bay systems struggle to align trucks of varying widths centrally, leading to potential damage from fixed stops and risks of operator entrapment, as narrower trucks lack adequate reference points and often collide with stops during maneuvering.

Innovation Solution

A variable width central alignment system with independent longitudinal guides and actuating means, including chocks and light-signaling, adjusts to truck width, ensuring central alignment and preventing contact with stops by automatically blocking the truck's movement using chocks and sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed bars or elements are used as guides for truck alignment, then wider trucks can pass, but narrower trucks lack adequate reference and may not be centrally aligned

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetruck width adaptabilityVSAvoidcentral alignment reference

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide bars are made movable rather than fixed, allowing them to adjust their position dynamically. The system includes actuating means that can move the guide bars closer together when narrower trucks approach, providing adequate reference for central alignment while maintaining the ability to accommodate wider trucks when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If fixed stops are placed in the loading bay to prevent truck contact, then truck damage is prevented, but repeated contact causes wear and tear on both stops and truck

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetruck damage from stopsVSAvoidstop durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The stops are made movable rather than fixed, allowing them to move out of the way when trucks approach. The system includes sensors and actuating means that detect truck presence and move the stops to minimize contact, preventing wear and tear while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The stops are moved in advance before truck contact occurs. Sensors detect the approaching truck and trigger the actuating means to position the stops optimally beforehand, preventing harmful contact while ensuring safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If chocks are placed manually to block truck movement during loading, then truck stability is achieved, but operator entrapment risk exists and manual operation is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetruck stability during loadingVSAvoidchock placement operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The chock placement system is automated to perform itself without manual intervention. Sensors detect when the truck is in position and automatically activate the chocks to block the wheels, eliminating the need for manual operation and reducing operator entrapment risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system includes sensors that provide feedback on truck position and automatically trigger chock activation when appropriate. This feedback mechanism ensures trucks are stabilized only when safely positioned, eliminating manual judgment requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Measurement precision

If the loading bay platform is lowered to support the truck box body, then central alignment is achieved, but the truck may reverse or move forward beyond safe limits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentral alignment precisionVSAvoidtruck movement beyond safe limits

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Sensors detect the position of the truck relative to the loading bay and provide continuous feedback. When the platform is lowered to achieve central alignment, the sensors simultaneously monitor for excessive reverse or forward movement and trigger alerts or automated responses to prevent harmful displacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The chocks are activated in advance or simultaneously with platform lowering to prevent excessive truck movement. This preliminary action ensures that if the truck attempts to reverse or move forward beyond safe limits, the chocks are already in position to block the wheels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9290336B2Variable width central alignment system with blocking of reverse and forward movement of trucks for loading bays

Publication Date: 2016.03.22 AMISERRU

AI summary

The system comprises at last one longitudinal guide that is independent of the loading bay and disposed on one side of the vertical mid-plane of the loading bay, facing the plane defined by the loading bay and associated with actuating means that trigger the lateral movement thereof, forming a reference for guiding the truck as it is maneuvered towards the loading bay. At least one of the longitudinal guides comprises a vertical post including illuminated signalling means and detectors for detecting the height and width of the truck approaching the loading bay, as well as moveable wedges associated with actuating means for blocking the truck in the loading bay.