Trailer Coupler Plate Plug With Snap-In Ears for Hole Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing king pin couplers in trailers and transport vehicles allow wiring harnesses and pneumatic lines to fall out, and are prone to foreign object intrusion, leading to corrosion and animal nesting, causing operational issues and warranty problems.
Innovation Solution
A plastic plug with triangular ears is installed into the through holes of the upper coupler plate, which snaps into place to prevent objects from falling out and includes a design that prevents interference with the truck's fifth wheel, ensuring the plug does not extend beyond the coupler plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a through hole is provided in the coupler plate for accessing electrical and pneumatic lines, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates as objects may fall out and foreign objects may enter
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is segmented into a cylindrical body and multiple triangular ears that can be independently deformed. The ears are compressed during insertion and then expand to engage with the hole, creating a secure fit that prevents objects from falling out while maintaining access to the lines
Solution Approach 2:
The plug is pre-formed with triangular ears that are compressed before insertion. During installation, these pre-compressed ears are pushed into the hole and then expand to lock in place, preventing future intrusion of foreign objects and preventing objects from falling out
2Reliability
If a flange is added to the bottom end of the plug to prevent it from falling out, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and it may interfere with the truck's fifth wheel
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding a flange that extends in the radial direction (another dimension), the invention uses triangular ears that deform and engage along the axial direction. The ears are compressed during insertion and then expand to lock the plug in place, achieving retention without radial extension that would interfere with the fifth wheel
Solution Approach 2:
The triangular ears are made pliable and dynamic, allowing them to be compressed during insertion and then expand to engage with the hole. This dynamic behavior provides reliable retention without requiring a static flange structure that would add complexity and potential interference
3Ease of repair
If the plug is made removable without tools, then ease of repair is improved, but reliability may deteriorate as the plug must be securely held during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The triangular ears are designed to be self-gripping, allowing a technician to easily catch and remove the plug by hand or with simple tools. The ears' deformation characteristics enable them to be securely held during removal while maintaining reliable retention during operation, achieving both ease of repair and reliability
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 plug effectively prevents wires and objects from falling through the holes and avoids snagging issues with moving parts, while being removable without tools, thus enhancing the reliability and maintenance of the trailer systems.
Implementation Method 1
As the plug is pushed into the hole in the steel coupler plate, the three triangular ears are compressed by the circular edge of the hole. As the plug is pushed slightly farther through the hole, the ears may 'pop out' or snap into place once they clear the edge of the hole.
Data Source
AI summary
A plug for insertion into a through hole of a king pin coupler plate of a trailer includes a body defining two opposite axial directions and having a cylindrical, circular and continuous outer surface defining a perimeter. A plurality of pliable ears extend from the outer surface. The ears are each individually aligned in the axial directions. The ears each have a width that is less than ten percent of a distance around the perimeter of the outer surface of the body.