Frustoconical Kingpin Lock Deflecting Brute Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing kingpin locks can be easily defeated by thieves modifying fifth wheel devices or being broken through brute force, as they are bulky enough to prevent engagement with the fifth wheel but lack sufficient structural integrity to withstand force-based attacks.

Innovation Solution

A kingpin lock with a frustoconical shape and a selectively engageable lock design, featuring a solid malleable material housing and internal components oriented to protect against force-based attacks, which prevents engagement with unauthorized tractors and deflects hammer blows, and a sliding member positioned to rotate under force application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a kingpin lock has a bulky structure to prevent engagement with the fifth wheel, then it can prevent unauthorized towing, but it becomes vulnerable to brute force attacks and easier to defeat by modification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of unauthorized towingVSAvoidvulnerability to brute force attacks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The kingpin lock employs a frustoconical shape with a curved surface that deflects hammer blows and other brute force attacks. The conical geometry causes impact forces to be redirected along the surface rather than concentrated on vulnerable locking components, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing vulnerability to force-based attacks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of manufacture

If a kingpin lock uses thin housing and light weight structure, then it is easier to manufacture and install, but it can be easily broken by tools such as sledgehammers and pry bars

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidresistance to breakage by tools

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The kingpin lock is constructed from a solid piece of malleable material that combines durability with manufacturability. This material choice provides the strength necessary to resist breakage by tools while still allowing for relatively simple manufacturing processes, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and structural strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If a kingpin lock includes components exposed outside the housing, then it is easier to operate and inspect, but it increases vulnerability to breakage and theft

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of locking componentsVSAvoidvulnerability to breakage and theft

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking components are nested within the frustoconical housing structure, with the selectively engageable lock and sliding member positioned inside the conical portion. This nesting arrangement protects the components from exposure while maintaining operational accessibility through the designed engagement mechanisms, thereby reducing vulnerability without completely compromising ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS7469920B2Kingpin lock

Publication Date: 2008.12.30 CARGO PROTECTORS INC

AI summary

A kingpin lock including a body having a substantially frustoconical portion and a kingpin cavity having a central axis, a slide channel having a central axis and a sleeve channel having a central axis. The slide channel intersects the kingpin cavity such that its central axis is substantially offset from a radius that extends outwardly from the central axis of the kingpin cavity. The sleeve channel intersects the slide channel. A slide member is shiftable between an engaged position extending partially into the kingpin cavity and a disengaged position where the slide member does not engage the kingpin. A locking member is shiftable between an engaged position and a disengaged position such that the locking member engages an indentation in the slide member so that the slide member is secured in the engaged position and the kingpin lock is secured to the kingpin.