Anti-theft Fastener Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fasteners lack a locking feature, making them susceptible to theft as they can be easily loosened or tightened using a sleeve or wrench, which is a drawback in securing valuable items like bicycle wheels or vehicle components.
Innovation Solution
An anti-theft fastener with a nut having a concave chamber, flange, and positioning ball, combined with a lock casing and spring mechanism that prevents rotation when locked, requiring a key to disengage and allow rotation for unfastening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional nut is used to fasten valuable articles, then the fastening operation is simple and easy to perform, but the nut can be easily loosened or tightened using a sleeve or wrench, making it susceptible to theft
Solution Approach 1:
The fastener is divided into multiple independent components: a nut with positioning balls, a nut casing with receiving chambers, a lock casing, and a lock mechanism. Each component performs a specific function, and they work together to provide anti-theft security. The segmentation allows the fastening operation to remain simple while adding security features through the coordinated interaction of separate elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism is nested within the lock casing, which is in turn nested within the nut casing. The positioning balls are nested within recesses in the nut. This nested structure allows multiple functional elements to be compactly arranged without significantly increasing the overall size or complexity of the fastener, while providing the required anti-theft functionality.
2Reliability
If a locking feature is added to prevent theft, then the anti-theft security is improved, but the operation to fasten and unfasten becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded positioning balls automatically engage with the lock mechanism when the fastener is assembled, providing automatic locking without requiring additional manual operation. The spring mechanism self-regulates the engagement and disengagement of the positioning balls, reducing the operational complexity for the user while maintaining strong anti-theft security.
3Reliability
If multiple components are used to create the locking mechanism, then the anti-theft functionality is enhanced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning balls serve multiple functions: they act as locking elements, engagement indicators, and transmission elements for rotational motion. The nut casing simultaneously provides structural support, houses the lock mechanism, and guides the positioning balls. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining enhanced locking functionality.
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 anti-theft fastener effectively secures items by preventing unauthorized loosening or tightening, ensuring the fastener remains firmly in place until properly dismounted, thus enhancing security against theft.
Implementation Method 1
a spring and an ejecting pin are disposed in the receiving groove of the nut
Data Source
AI summary
An anti-theft fastener with locking feature includes a nut, a nut casing, a lock casing and a lock. An engaging ball of the lock casing gets embedded in an engaging groove of the nut casing. The lock and its' casing are positioned inside the nut casing. An abutting portion of the lock no longer abuts against a positioning ball of the nut. The positioning ball is no longer embedded inside a positioning engaging passage of the nut casing, thereby preventing the nut casing from driving the nut except idling. Under locked condition, the fastener is unable to be mounted. To dismount the fastener requires turning the lock with a key until the engaging ball falls into a curved groove of the lock and exits the engaging groove. The positioning ball is pushed outward and embedded inside the positioning engaging passage, thereby unfastening the screw element.