Trailer Hitch Rear Door Lock With Integrated Entry Step
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vans, particularly panel vans, face challenges in securing their cargo spaces due to high entry points, making them susceptible to theft, and there is a need for a security lock and step to facilitate easy access.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lock system utilizing a blocking device that locks the rear door, a blocking device lock, a locking hitch coupler, and a support, which can be mounted to a trailer hitch receiver, providing both security and a step for easy access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a blocking device is added to lock the rear door, then security of cargo space is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking device is merged with the existing rear door structure, integrating the security function into the door assembly. The blocking device includes a blocking member that works with the door panel and a locking mechanism that integrates with the door's existing hardware, thereby improving security without adding a completely separate complex system.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking device serves multiple functions: it acts as a security lock to prevent unauthorized opening, and it includes a step member that provides assistance for entering the vehicle. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices, thereby improving security while limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a step is added to facilitate entry, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The step function is merged into the blocking device structure. The blocking device includes a step member that is integrated with the blocking mechanism, allowing it to serve as both a security lock and an entry step. This integration improves ease of entry without requiring a separate step device.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking device is designed to perform multiple functions: securing the rear door and providing a step for entry. By combining these functions into a single device, the patent improves ease of operation while minimizing the increase in device complexity compared to having separate systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a blocking device with step is integrated, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking device is designed as a multi-functional unit that can lock the rear door and provide a step for entry. This universal design allows a single device to fulfill multiple needs, thereby improving versatility. The integration of these functions within one device structure helps limit the overall complexity increase compared to having separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the security locking function and the entry step function into a single integrated blocking device. This combination improves versatility by providing both functions through one device, while the integrated design approach helps control the increase in complexity that would result from multiple separate components.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle lock system for use with a trailer hitch receiver. The vehicle lock system includes a blocking device configured to lock at least one panel of a vehicle. The vehicle lock system also includes a blocking device lock. The vehicle lock system also includes a locking hitch coupler configured to couple to the trailer hitch receiver. The vehicle lock system also includes a support configured to facilitate locking of the blocking device via coupling with the blocking device lock.