Glad Hand Coupler Locking Pin for Air Brake Tamper Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glad hand coupler devices lack a secure locking mechanism that prevents unauthorized detachment, posing a risk of disabling the air brake system in tractor trailers.
Innovation Solution
A glad hand coupler with a locking pin and integrated lock that engages the locking pin to secure the coupler to the fitting, inhibiting unauthorized detachment and ensuring continuous air flow in the brake system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to the glad hand coupler, then security against unauthorized detachment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock is integrated directly into the glad hand coupler body, merging the locking function with the coupler structure itself rather than being a separate attachment. This reduces overall device complexity while maintaining security functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin is disposed within a cavity in the coupler body and can be moved between retracted and extended positions within the same structural envelope. The lock mechanism nests within the coupler body, minimizing additional space requirements and structural complexity.
2Reliability
If a locking pin is used to engage the fitting, then attachment security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin is made movable between retracted and extended positions through a simple rotational lock mechanism. This dynamic design allows the pin to be easily repositioned for coupling and uncoupling operations while maintaining secure engagement when locked.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin is biased by a spring to automatically engage with the fitting when the lock is in the locked position, eliminating the need for manual positioning or additional actuation forces during normal operation.
3Extent of automation
If the locking pin is urgeable into locking condition, then automatic engagement is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin is equipped with a biasing spring that automatically urges it into the extended locking position when the lock is engaged, eliminating the need for external actuation or complex control systems. The spring provides automatic engagement force.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing function is extracted as a separate spring component rather than being integrated into the lock mechanism itself, simplifying the overall design while achieving automatic engagement. The spring handles the urging function independently.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking glad hand device includes a glad hand coupler that is removably attachable to a glad hand fitting on a tail end of an air brake line. A locking pin is movably disposed on the glad handle coupler which engages a respective wing on the glad hand fitting thereby inhibiting the glad hand coupler from being tampered with and potentially disabling the air brake system of the tractor trailer. A lock is rotatably disposed on the glad hand coupler. The lock engages the locking pin when the locking pin is urged into a locking condition and the lock is rotated into a locking position thereby locking the glad hand coupler to the glad hand fitting. Conversely, the lock disengages the locking pin when the lock is rotated into an unlocking position thereby facilitating the locking pin to be biased into the releasing condition.