Rotatable Sleeve Wheel Lock Assembly for Tamper Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle wheel lock assemblies have a non-wheel contacting end that is completely exposed, making them vulnerable to tampering and unauthorized removal.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle wheel lock assembly featuring a main body with a rotatable sleeve that at least partially covers the non-wheel contacting end, preventing access to the key receiving end and thereby impeding tampering and unauthorized removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the non-wheel contacting end is completely exposed to allow key access, then ease of operation is improved, but security against tampering and unauthorized removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is nested over the main body of the wheel lock assembly, creating a protective enclosure. The sleeve contains a key receiving aperture that aligns with the key pattern on the main body, allowing key access while physically protecting the vulnerable areas from tampering attempts.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve acts as an intermediary protective barrier between the external environment and the key receiving end of the main body. It provides a controlled access point through the key receiving aperture while preventing direct contact with the key pattern, thus mediating between operational access and security protection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective sleeve is added to cover the non-wheel contacting end, then security against tampering is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel lock assembly is segmented into two distinct functional components: the main body containing the key pattern and locking mechanism, and the protective sleeve that covers and protects the main body. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve is designed to be rotatable relative to the main body, introducing a dynamic element that enhances security. The rotational capability allows the sleeve to be positioned in different orientations, with the key receiving aperture aligning with the key pattern only when properly positioned, thereby preventing unauthorized access while maintaining structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle wheel lock assembly includes a main body and a hollow cylindrically-shaped sleeve. The main body has a wheel contacting end, a sleeve retaining section and a key receiving end that includes surface contours defining a first key pattern. The hollow cylindrically-shaped sleeve has a first end and a second end, the first end being open with the main body extending therein. The sleeve retaining section retains the sleeve to the main body for free rotation about a central axis of the main body. The sleeve retaining section further is configured to prevent movement of the sleeve in an axial direction of the main body. The second end is closed covering the key receiving end and includes a key receiving aperture providing access to the first key pattern.