Wheel Chock Alarm System with Retractable Cable

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wheel chocks used for restraining vehicles at loading docks often slip on slippery surfaces, get misplaced, and are not suitable for shipping containers with legs, posing safety risks and operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A wheel chock alarm system that monitors the movement of wheel chocks using sensors and retractable cables or wireless communication links to detect displacement from a predetermined position, emitting an alarm when the wheel chock moves beyond a certain distance, ensuring the vehicle remains securely restrained.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional wheel chocks are used to restrain vehicles at loading docks, then vehicle restraint function is provided, but the chocks slip on slippery surfaces and get misplaced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel chock stabilityVSAvoidwheel chock positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an articulated arm as an intermediary mechanism between the wheel chock and the loading dock. This articulated arm provides a stable connection that prevents the chock from slipping on slippery surfaces while maintaining ease of positioning through its flexible, multi-jointed design that can adapt to various angles and positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If wheel chocks are made loose and movable for ease of positioning, then ease of operation is improved, but the chocks get misplaced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel chock positioningVSAvoidwheel chock location retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates sensors that provide feedback on the wheel chock's position and status. This feedback mechanism allows the system to monitor whether the chock is properly positioned and retained, alerting operators if the chock becomes misplaced while maintaining the ease of manual positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional wheel chocks are used, then vehicle restraint is provided, but they are not suitable for shipping containers with legs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestraint system compatibilityVSAvoidrestraint system design

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel chock system is designed with universal adaptability to work with different vehicle types including trucks with wheels and shipping containers with legs. The articulated arm and sensor system can accommodate various geometries and support structures, making the same basic system suitable for multiple applications without requiring completely different designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11285932B2Wheel chock alarm systems and related methods

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 RITE HITE HLDG CORP

AI summary

Example vehicle restraint systems and related methods are disclosed. An example vehicle restraint system includes a wheel chock having an inclined tire-engaging surface, where the wheel chock is movable to an installed position at which the wheel chock is to engage the freight transporter. The vehicle restraint system includes a take-up reel and a retractable elongate member to be at least partially wrapped around the take-up reel. The retractable elongate member to extend between the wheel chock and a platform structure.