Vehicle Transporter Latch Mechanism Preventing Accidental Unlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transverse members for vehicle transporters lack reliability, robustness, and safety, particularly in preventing unintentional removal due to inadvertent displacement of the latch from the locked to unlocked position.
Innovation Solution
A robust elongated box-like transverse member with a movable engagement latch mechanism, featuring a compression helical spring and a manually releasable safety stop, ensures secure engagement and disengagement, preventing accidental unlocking by using a combination of axial pins and a swinging lever to maintain the latch in a locked position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple latch mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases due to risk of unintentional displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing a safety stop that preemptively prevents the latch from moving to the unlocked position. The safety stop is positioned to physically block the latch's path before it can disengage, thereby preventing unintentional displacement before it can occur. This resolves the contradiction by adding a simple preventive element that significantly enhances reliability without substantially increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression spring applies preliminary action by continuously exerting a locking force on the latch to maintain it in the locked position. This preliminary force ensures the latch remains secured until deliberately released, preventing accidental displacement. The spring's continuous action provides reliable locking while using a simple, maintenance-free mechanical component.
2Reliability
If a robust latch mechanism with safety features is used, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the latch system into distinct functional components: the main latch body, the compression spring for locking force, and the safety stop for prevention. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply and effectively, achieving high reliability through coordinated simple parts rather than a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety stop acts as an intermediary element between the latch and the unlocked position. It serves as a physical mediator that blocks the latch's movement path, preventing unintentional disengagement. This simple intermediary component significantly enhances reliability by adding a layer of protection without requiring complex control systems or multiple moving parts.
3Ease of operation
If the latch is easily displaceable, then the ease of operation improves for intentional release, but the reliability worsens due to accidental unlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a two-stage displacement system. The latch can be easily displaced from the locked to unlocked position when intentional force is applied (overcoming the spring), but the safety stop creates a dynamic barrier that prevents accidental displacement. This dynamic design allows easy operation when needed while maintaining reliability against unintended activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety stop applies preliminary anti-action by positioning itself to block the latch's movement path before accidental displacement can occur. It creates a physical constraint that must be deliberately overcome for release, ensuring that easy operation only occurs when intentionally initiated. This resolves the contradiction by making accidental displacement mechanically impossible while allowing intentional release.
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
The solution provides high reliability, robustness, and safety by preventing unintended latch displacement, ensuring secure vehicle transport and easy manual release, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and safety of the loading deck.
Implementation Method 1
a movable engagement member (7) displaceable from an advanced lock position to a receded unlock position relatively to the loading deck of the vehicle transporter, against the action of a compression helical spring (8)
Implementation Method 2
The swinging lever (120) is rotatable between an operative angular position represented in figures 1 to 4, in which it frontally abuts against the second transverse guide element (112), and an inoperative angular position in which it does not interfere with a transverse element (112)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The latch (7) of the transverse member for the loading deck of vehicle transporters, displaceable between an advanced lock position and a receded unlock position of the transverse member, consists of a quadrangular element (9) at whose opposite lateral edges there are fixed two cylindrical pins (10, 10) slidable through a first and a second transverse guide element (11, 12) fixed inside the box-like body (1).