Lunette Ring Enclosure Lock to Block Trailer Hitch Theft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lunette ring trailer hitch locks are inadequate in securing larger trailers, as they can be bypassed or replaced, allowing for easy theft of expensive equipment, and there is a lack of effective deterrents against trailer theft, especially for unattended trailers on job sites.
Innovation Solution
A lunette ring lock design featuring a lunette ring enclosure with a locking pin and blocking tube, coupled with a puck lock, that surrounds and secures the mounting bracket, preventing removal or replacement, and optionally includes a GPS locator for tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple lunette ring lock is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of theft prevention deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin is nested within the lunette ring enclosure, with the puck lock mechanism integrated into the locking pin structure. The enclosure itself is nested around the mounting bracket, creating multiple layers of protection that increase reliability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock is divided into distinct functional segments: the enclosure that surrounds the mounting bracket, the locking pin that passes through the lunette ring, and the puck lock mechanism that secures the pin. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability.
2Reliability
If the lunette ring lock surrounds and secures the mounting bracket, then the reliability of theft prevention is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure is pre-configured with openings and notches that align with the mounting bracket features, allowing the bracket to be inserted into position before the locking mechanism is engaged. The locking pin is designed to be inserted through pre-aligned holes in the lunette ring and enclosure, simplifying the installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The puck lock mechanism acts as an intermediary that simplifies the locking action. Instead of requiring complex multi-step fastening procedures, the user simply needs to insert the locking pin and engage the puck lock, which then secures all components together in a single motion.
3Ease of manufacture
If current lunette ring locks are used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability of security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure serves multiple functions: it surrounds and protects the mounting bracket, provides structural support for the locking mechanism, and acts as a barrier to theft attempts. The locking pin simultaneously secures the lunette ring and engages with the enclosure, reducing the number of separate components needed and simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket securing function and the lunette ring locking function are merged into a single integrated system. The enclosure and locking pin work together to simultaneously secure both the bracket to the trailer and the lunette ring to the bracket, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A lunette ring lock includes a lunette ring enclosure having a top plate coupled to a bottom plate by a pair of opposing side walls along a width and a front plate having a pair of long edges along its length and a pair of side edges, a pair of matching notches including a top notch in the top plate and a bottom notch the bottom plate centered along a back edge for surrounding a mounting plate to the lunette ring, a locking pin 202 for passing through a through hole in the top plate and a through hole in the bottom plate after passing through the lunette ring enclosure, and a rectangular blocking tube coupled to the top plate adjacent to the top notch extending upward from the top plate. The lock connecting top element engages a puck lock to retain the locking pin to the lunette ring lock between the through hole in the top plate and the through hole in the bottom plate. The front plate is coupled between the top place and bottom plates along the pair of long edges and coupled to the pair of opposing sidewalls along the side edges. the locking pin comprises a lock connecting top element, a bottom coupling surface element, and a central shaft element.