Wheel Chock Handling Arm With Adjustable Spring Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing articulated spring-assisted wheel chocks face challenges in adjusting to varying wheel chock installation distances and require compromises that lead to suboptimal performance, excessive force, or difficulty in handling, especially when moving between storage and extended positions.
Innovation Solution
A wheel chock handling unit with a base, articulated cantilever arm assembly, main spring assembly, and force-compensation mechanism, including a lever with elongated sections, to balance weight and adjust forces for smooth operation across different wheel chock positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If an articulated spring-assisted device is used to automatically return the wheel chock to storage position, then the wheel chock can be brought back automatically, but the device requires excessive spring force that makes the wheel chock harder to move by hand and may lift a portion of the wheel chock
Solution Approach 1:
The spring force is made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the operator to dynamically adapt the return force to match the specific conditions (wheel chock weight, distance, friction). This resolves the contradiction by enabling automatic return while preventing excessive force that would make manual positioning difficult.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring assembly includes an adjustment mechanism that allows changing the spring constant or pre-load parameter. This enables the system to provide sufficient force for automatic return without creating excessive force that would hinder manual operation, directly resolving the contradiction between automation and ease of operation.
2Force
If the spring force is increased to overcome friction at maximum extended position, then the wheel chock can be brought back to storage position, but the excessive force can cause the wheel chock to arrive too fast and make it harder to move by hand
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable spring mechanism allows the force parameter to be optimized for different operating conditions. The operator can set the spring force to the minimum required to overcome friction and achieve automatic return, preventing both excessive force that would cause too-fast arrival and insufficient force that would fail to overcome friction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the wheel chock is designed to be moved manually to different positions, then it can accommodate different vehicle sizes and distances, but operators often forget to bring the wheel chock back to storage position
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable spring-assisted device provides self-service by automatically returning the wheel chock to storage position after use. The operator positions the wheel chock for the specific vehicle, and the spring mechanism automatically returns it without requiring the operator to manually retrieve it, preventing forgotten returns while maintaining versatility.
4Ease of operation
If existing articulated spring-assisted devices are used, then they can assist in positioning wheel chocks, but they require compromises that lead to suboptimal performance over some parts of the range
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable spring mechanism allows the force parameters to be optimized for different positions and loads within the operating range. This ensures consistent and reliable performance across the entire range of motion, eliminating the suboptimal performance regions that plague fixed-parameter devices.
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 efficient, adjustable, and controlled movement of wheel chocks, ensuring proper positioning and automatic return to storage, minimizing friction and excessive force issues, enhancing operational ease and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a spring assembly extending between the arm assembly and the base; the spring assembly being adjustable in length and force
Implementation Method 2
a force-compensation mechanism including: a lever having at least an elongated leading section interposed between the main spring assembly and the base
Implementation Method 3
The articulated spring-assisted device should then generate a pulling force sufficient to overcome the friction of the wheel chock on the ground
Data Source
AI summary
The wheel chock handling unit includes a base, an articulated cantilever arm assembly, a main spring assembly and a force-compensation mechanism. The arm assembly has a first end pivotally mounted to the base for angular displacement of the arm assembly in a substantially vertical plane between a storage position and an extended position. It also has a second end receiving a wheel chock. The main spring assembly extends between the arm assembly and the base. The force-compensation mechanism includes a lever pivotally mounted to the base for angular displacement in a plane that is substantially parallel to that of the arm assembly.