Removable Anti-theft Coupling Housing with Nested Padlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-theft devices for trailers are vulnerable to theft due to accessible padlocks and complex, cumbersome designs that complicate installation and storage.
Innovation Solution
A redesigned anti-theft device featuring two half-shells with fixing lugs and a fairing that houses the padlock, ensuring the padlock is secure and only the key-receiving portion is accessible, along with centering mechanisms and screws for stable positioning, simplifying installation and storage by reducing the number of removable parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the padlock is placed on the outside of the case, then the locking function is accessible, but the padlock becomes vulnerable to breaking and theft
Solution Approach 1:
The padlock is nested within a housing formed by the fairing and the wall of the half-shell, rather than being exposed on the outside. The fairing creates a protective enclosure that houses the padlock mechanism, allowing the locking function to remain accessible through the key-receiving portion while protecting the shackle and body from external attacks such as breaking with a sledgehammer.
2Reliability
If the anti-theft device has four removable parts (two half-shells, tab, and padlock), then the locking function is achieved, but the device becomes complicated to store and parts can be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The padlock is merged with the fairing structure, where the fairing serves dual purposes: it forms part of the protective housing and simultaneously houses the padlock mechanism. This integration reduces the number of separate removable parts from four (two half-shells, tab, and padlock) to fewer components, as the padlock is no longer a completely separate removable element but rather integrated into the fairing assembly.
3Reliability
If the anti-theft device has four removable parts, then the locking function is achieved, but the installation becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the padlock with the fairing structure and integrating the locking mechanism into the half-shell assembly, the number of discrete components that require separate positioning and assembly is reduced. This integration simplifies the installation process, making it less tedious and time-consuming compared to assembling four separate removable parts.
4Ease of operation
If the padlock is exposed on the outside, then the key can be easily inserted, but the shackle becomes accessible and vulnerable to breaking
Solution Approach 1:
The padlock is nested within the housing formed by the fairing and half-shell wall, with only the key-receiving portion exposed. This nesting arrangement allows the key to be easily inserted for locking operations while the shackle and body of the padlock remain protected inside the housing, preventing malicious persons from accessing them with tools like sledgehammers to break the locking mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Removable anti-theft device for a coupling, said coupling comprising a coupling head, said anti-theft device (1) comprising: - two half-shells (2, 2'), forming an anti-theft housing that clamps said coupling head when butted against each other in a closed position, - a locking means configured to lock the two half-shells (2, 2') in the closed position with a padlock. Each half-shell (2, 2') is equipped with a fixing tab (22, 22'), each having a hole, intended to be opposite each other in said closed position. The anti-theft device comprises a fairing (4) fixed to one of the half-shells (2, 2'), in order to form a housing for the padlock (31), and holding the padlock (31) in such a way that, in said closed position, said shackle can pass through the two holes.