Hardened Steel Cover Locking Mechanism for Diesel Particulate Filter Theft Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The diesel particulate filter, a valuable and easily removable component in commercial vehicles, is vulnerable to theft due to its ease of dismounting and relatively lightweight design, necessitating a cost-efficient theft prevention solution that can be operated by service technicians using standard tools.
Innovation Solution
A theft prevention device comprising a cover member made of hardened steel to obstruct removal and a locking member with an individual engagement pattern that requires a specific service tool for operation, designed to lock the cover member in place, thereby preventing physical separation of the diesel particulate filter from the muffler container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the diesel particulate filter is designed to be easily removable for servicing, then the ease of operation is improved, but the vulnerability to theft increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protection device is divided into separate components: a cover member that can be installed/removed and a locking member that secures it. This segmentation allows the filter to remain easily accessible for authorized servicing while providing theft deterrent through the locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover member acts as an intermediary between the filter and the external environment. It provides a barrier that must be removed to access the filter, and when combined with the locking member, creates an intermediate security layer that doesn't prevent authorized access but deters theft.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent theft, then the theft prevention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member is integrated with the cover member structure, combining the protective cover function with the locking function in a single assembly. This merging reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate cover and lock components.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member is designed to be operable by service technicians using standard tools, making the system self-servicing rather than requiring specialized equipment or complex installation procedures. This keeps the device simple while maintaining security.
3Reliability
If a specific service tool is required for operation, then the theft prevention is improved, but the ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The locking member uses a standardized parameter (standard tool interface) that balances security and accessibility. By using common standard tools rather than proprietary specialized tools, the system maintains ease of operation for authorized personnel while still providing theft deterrent through the requirement of a tool interface.
4Strength
If the cover member is made of hardened steel to withstand impact, then the strength is improved, but the cost of manufacture increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member is made of hardened steel specifically in the areas most vulnerable to impact or tampering, rather than the entire device. This localized application of high-strength material provides necessary protection while reducing overall manufacturing cost compared to making the entire assembly from hardened steel.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device (101) for preventing theft of a first vehicle component (3), which is releasably connected to a second vehicle component (4). The theft preventing device (101) comprises a cover member (103) arranged for obstructing removal of said first component (3) from said second component (4) and a locking member (105), which is configured for locking the cover member or the second component in an operational position in which the cover member obstructs said removal of said first component from said second component.