Stepped-Box Wheel Chock Structure for Stress Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wheel chock devices concentrate mechanical stresses in specific areas, leading to potential deformation and cracking under load, which compromises their structural integrity and utility.

Innovation Solution

The wheel chock device features a stepped-box body with a coupling surface, a tire-contacting surface, and a body surface that includes a horizontally oriented segment, a vertically oriented segment, and an intermediate sloped segment, designed to distribute and dissipate mechanical stresses more evenly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional wheel chock device is compressed between the tire and carrier deck, then the chock device secures the vehicle, but mechanical stresses concentrate in specific areas causing deformation and cracking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidmechanical stress concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The chock body incorporates a stepped-box geometry with varying wall thicknesses and an intermediate sloped surface that strategically distributes stress to different regions. The non-uniform structure directs mechanical loads away from critical areas, preventing stress concentration while maintaining overall structural integrity during compression between tire and carrier deck

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The design transitions from a simple geometric form to a multi-level stepped-box structure with horizontal, vertical, and sloped surfaces. This dimensional complexity creates a more sophisticated stress distribution pathway through the body, allowing forces to be dispersed across multiple surfaces and internal regions rather than concentrating at single points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the chock device withers the stepped-box body design, then stress distribution improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestress distributionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The stepped-box body is formed as a single integrated structure where the coupling surface, tire-contacting surface, and intermediate sloped surface are all part of one continuous chock body. This merging of multiple functional surfaces into a unified geometry simplifies manufacturing compared to assembling separate components, while still achieving the desired stress distribution characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12233770B2Wheel chock device and method of forming

Publication Date: 2025.02.25 TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A vehicle chock device includes a first body portion and a stepped-box body integrally formed with the first body portion. The stepped-box body has a lower portion and an upper portion. The stepped-box body transitions from a first generally planar, generally horizontal surface on the lower portion to an intermediate sloped surface to a generally planar, generally vertical surface on the upper portion. The lower portion has a second generally planar, generally horizontal surface configured to engage a supporting surface of a carrier vehicle on which an automobile is disposed. An opposite side of the upper portion that is opposite the generally planar, generally vertical surface defines a tire-contacting surface that is positioned to engage a vehicle tire of the automobile while the second generally planar, generally horizontal surface engages the supporting surface of the carrier vehicle.