Spare Tire Carrier Ferrule Shield for Underbody Theft Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire hoist systems under vehicles face challenges in preventing the theft of spare wheels, particularly in vehicles like pick-up trucks with limited interior space, as they are mounted outside and lack effective anti-theft mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A tire carrier system with a raising and lowering mechanism, a rotatable cable end shield, and a ferrule that prevents unauthorized access and tampering by rotating independently of the cable, thereby making it difficult to steal the spare wheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the spare wheel is mounted outside the vehicle body, then interior cargo space is increased, but the spare wheel becomes vulnerable to theft
Solution Approach 1:
The cable end shield is pre-installed on the cable assembly before deployment, creating a protective barrier that prevents thieves from accessing and cutting the cable. The shield's design with a ferrule and aperture configuration establishes preliminary anti-theft action by blocking direct contact with the cable end, thereby protecting the spare wheel while maintaining exterior mounting for cargo space efficiency
2Object-affected harmful factors
If anti-theft mechanisms are added to protect the spare wheel, then theft prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-theft function is segmented into a separate modular component - the cable end shield with ferrule - that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows the anti-theft mechanism to be added without redesigning the entire tire carrier system, maintaining simplicity of the main system while providing enhanced security through a dedicated protective component
Solution Approach 2:
The cable end shield acts as an intermediary component between the cable and the external environment. Instead of directly protecting the cable through complex locking mechanisms, the shield serves as a simple intermediate barrier that prevents direct access to the cable end, providing theft protection through a straightforward geometric design rather than complex mechanical interlocks
3Ease of operation
If the cable is made accessible for easy operation, then ease of operation is improved, but vulnerability to tampering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable shield provides localized protection specifically at the cable end where the ferrule is positioned, rather than enclosing the entire cable. This local quality approach allows the cable to remain accessible along its length for normal operation while providing concentrated anti-tampering protection at the critical vulnerable point - the cable end where cutting or manipulation would occur
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle tire carrier system for installation beneath a motor vehicle and protecting the wheel from unauthorized removal. The tire carrier system comprises: a raising and lowering mechanism comprising a cable and a rotational member for winding and unwinding the cable. A hub carrier is constructed to receive the wheel. The cable has a free end, and a ferrule is fixed to a free end portion of the cable. A rotatable cable end shield is mounted about the free end portion of the cable. The rotatable cable end shield comprises a housing having a top aperture in an upper portion thereof through which the free end portion of the cable is received. The housing encapsulates the free end portion of the cable and the ferrule for protection thereof. The rotatable cable end shield is configured to rotate independently to the free end portion of the cable and the ferrule.