Wireless Wheel Chock Sensor Placement Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wheel chock systems for restraining shipping vehicles at loading docks are cumbersome due to cables and require frequent service or replacement, leading to inefficiencies in placement and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A wireless wheel chock system that uses reflective sensors or electromagnetic communication to confirm proper placement of the wheel chock against a vehicle wheel, eliminating the need for cables and reducing maintenance needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional wheel chock systems use cables to connect the sensor to the loading dock for power and communication, then the sensor can detect and communicate wheel chock placement, but the cable and supporting structure make placement cumbersome and require frequent service or replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor communication reliabilityVSAvoidwheel chock placement ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cable and supporting structure from the wheel chock system, replacing wired communication with wireless communication. The sensor on the wheel chock now communicates placement status wirelessly to the loading dock control system, eliminating the physical cable connection that caused placement difficulties and maintenance issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with an electromagnetic wireless communication system. Instead of using physical cables to transmit sensor data and power, the system uses wireless signals (such as radio frequency communication) to achieve the same function without mechanical connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If conventional wheel chock systems use cables and supporting structures for sensor connection, then power and communication are established, but wear and tear from normal use leads to frequent service or replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower and communication establishmentVSAvoidcable and supporting structure maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the cable and supporting structure components that are prone to wear and tear. By extracting these mechanical connection elements and replacing them with wireless communication, the system eliminates the parts that require frequent service or replacement due to normal use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The wireless sensor system requires no external cable connections or supporting structures that need maintenance. The sensor autonomously communicates its status wirelessly without requiring human intervention for cable management, connection maintenance, or structural support, effectively making the system self-sufficient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If wireless communication is used between the wheel chock sensor and loading dock, then cable complexity is eliminated and placement is simplified, but power transmission to the remote sensor becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewheel chock placement simplicityVSAvoidsensor power supply

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable-based power transmission system with a wireless power transmission system. Instead of delivering electrical power through physical cables, the system uses wireless energy transmission methods (such as inductive coupling or other wireless power technologies) to supply power to the sensor without requiring physical connections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 wireless wheel chock system simplifies placement, reduces maintenance costs, and enhances reliability by ensuring accurate positioning without the complexity of cables, improving overall operational efficiency at loading docks.

Implementation Method 1

A sensor, such as a retroflective optical sensor, can be mounted on or proximate to the dock face

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10329105B2Wheel chock systems

Publication Date: 2019.06.25 ASSA ABLOY ENTRANCE SYST AB

AI summary

Wheel chock systems for use at loading docks and other locations are described herein. In some embodiments, the wheel chock systems can include a wheel chock assembly that is positionable in contact with a vehicle wheel to restrain the vehicle at a loading dock. The wheel chock assembly can include a sensor target, and a corresponding sensor can be mounted to, for example, an outer wall of the loading dock or a wheel chock storage cradle mounted to the outer wall. In operation, the sensor can emit a wireless signal (e.g., an electromagnetic signal) that is reflected off of the sensor target and received back by the sensor when the wheel chock has been positioned in a blocking relationship relative to the vehicle wheel to restrain the vehicle at the loading dock. The sensor can be operably connected to a loading dock signal system (e.g., a signal light system) that displays appropriate signals to loading dock personnel based on detection of proper wheel chock placement. In other embodiments, wheel chock systems can include other types of devices for wirelessly communicating wheel chock placement information to loading dock systems. Such device types can include, for example, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RFID, etc.