Coupler Lock Housing with Visual Confirmation Aperture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking devices for trailers with ball and socket couplers are complex, costly to install and maintain, and lack suitability for use with handwheel-secured hitch balls, making them ineffective for securing trailers to vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A coupler lock device with a housing that covers the handwheel and coupler socket, featuring a closure member for secure positioning and visual confirmation of the hitch ball's retention, allowing a padlock shackle for enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prior art locking devices are used to secure trailers, then security against theft is provided, but the devices have numerous components making them complex to install and maintain with high costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the housing, closure member, and locking mechanism into a single integrated lock device assembly that attaches to the coupler. The housing covers both the handwheel and coupler socket, while the closure member integrates the padlock mounting function, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying installation and maintenance.
2Reliability
If prior art locking devices are used to secure trailers, then security against theft is provided, but the devices have high manufacturing and maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The lock device housing serves multiple functions: it covers the handwheel, covers the coupler socket, provides structural attachment points for the closure member, and incorporates the aperture for visual confirmation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining security effectiveness.
3Reliability
If a housing covers the handwheel and coupler socket, then security is improved, but the device becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed as a segmented structure with distinct functional zones: a handwheel covering portion, a coupler socket covering portion, and an aperture region. The closure member is separately attachable to the housing, allowing modular assembly and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive security coverage.
4Ease of operation
If an aperture is provided for visual confirmation, then ease of operation is improved, but the housing structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture is extracted as a simple opening feature in the housing rather than a complex mechanical component. This extraction approach allows visual confirmation functionality to be achieved with minimal added complexity to the housing structure, maintaining ease of operation while avoiding excessive design complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A coupler lock device is used with a trailer coupler that has a handwheel mounted on a threaded member for securing a hitch ball in the coupler socket. The coupler lock device has a housing configured for covering the coupler socket and the handwheel. The housing includes an opening to allow the housing to be positioned over the coupler socket and handwheel. A closure panel is movable between an open position and a closed position. The housing includes an aperture configured so that when the housing covers the coupler with the handwheel tightened to properly secure the hitch ball within the coupler socket, the handwheel threaded member protrudes through the top aperture and provides a confirmation that the hitch ball is properly, secured for towing.