Modular Locking System for Trailers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current locking systems for trailers and trucks face issues such as strength problems, increased stocking costs, and manufacturing complexities due to varying post geometries and the need for welding, which causes thermal stress and deformation, especially when dealing with trailers with or without side doors.
Innovation Solution
A modular locking system that secures the side door lock striker to the post using bolts-nuts or rivets, eliminating the need for welding and ensuring common component usage across front, middle, and rear posts, regardless of side door presence, by incorporating a lock assembly with fitting lugs, a lower extension, and a fitting plate secured with fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If door lock strikers are welded to posts, then the connection strength is improved, but welding debris and heat damage occur causing additional labor costs and thermal stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the welding process (thermal-chemical joining) with a mechanical fastening system using bolts and nuts. This substitution eliminates the harmful thermal effects and debris generation while maintaining connection strength through properly designed mechanical fasteners and mounting plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mounting plates as intermediary components between the door lock strikers and the posts. These mounting plates provide a standardized interface that distributes loads and simplifies the connection process, eliminating the need for direct welding while maintaining structural integrity.
2Ease of manufacture
If door lock strikers are riveted to posts, then welding labor is eliminated, but no form bond is created causing strength problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the mounting plate component: it serves as both the attachment interface and the load-distributing element. By merging the mounting function with structural reinforcement, the system achieves strong connections without requiring form bonds or welding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction with mounting plates and fasteners creating a hybrid connection system that combines mechanical fastening with distributed load paths, achieving connection strength comparable to or exceeding welded joints while maintaining ease of assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If posts are made to accommodate both side door and no side door configurations, then all trailer types can be served, but post geometry differences increase stocking costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the posts with universal mounting features that can accommodate both side door and no side door configurations using the same door lock striker assembly. The mounting plates and fastener system provide standardized interfaces that work across different trailer types, eliminating the need for geometry-specific post variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the door lock striker assembly from the post structure, allowing the striker and mounting hardware to be standardized while the post remains a simple structural element. This segmentation enables universal mounting solutions without requiring complex post geometries for different configurations.
Data Source
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AI summary
Present invention relates to a modular locking system (A) for common use on front posts (30) and rear posts (40) of trailers, semi-trailers and trucks that are used for road haulage, eliminating post geometry differences between trailers with or without side doors incorporating a lock assembly (1) secured to front (30) and rear posts (40), where the deadbolt located on the side door (20) is inserted, a lower extension (2) located under the lock assembly (1), supporting the side door (20), a minimum of one fastener (4) securing the lock assembly (1), front post 30), rear post (40) and fitting plate (3) to each other detachably.