Remote Trailer Ball Clamp Locking for Unattended Rental
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Solution Overview
Problem
The traditional rental process for trailers requires personnel intervention for identity verification, rental agreement preparation, fee collection, and trailer inspection, which is inconvenient and inefficient, especially without power supply.
Innovation Solution
A remote-controlled locking arrangement with mechanical and electrical elements, including a central processing unit, user interface, and positioning system, allowing automated trailer rental and management without staff, enabling dynamic pricing and location tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If traditional manual locking mechanism is used, then device complexity is low, but extent of automation is insufficient requiring staff intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical locking operations with an automated electromechanical locking mechanism. The locking system uses an electric motor or actuator to automatically engage and disengage the locking elements, eliminating the need for staff to manually operate the locking mechanism while maintaining secure locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically lock and unlock based on pre-programmed conditions or remote signals. The system performs locking operations autonomously without requiring human intervention, enabling unattended trailer management and automated rental operations.
2Extent of automation
If remote-controlled electrical locking elements are added, then extent of automation improves, but use of energy increases due to battery requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical locking system operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when locking or unlocking operations are required. The battery-powered actuators remain dormant between operations, significantly reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining remote-controlled functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses high-torque, low-speed actuators optimized for intermittent heavy-duty locking operations rather than continuous operation. This parameter optimization allows the use of smaller battery capacity while still providing sufficient power for periodic locking cycles.
3Extent of automation
If mechanical locking elements are used without electrical components, then use of energy is low, but extent of automation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates electrical actuators with mechanical locking elements to create an automated hybrid system. The electrical components provide automated control and actuation, while the mechanical elements maintain the physical locking function, achieving automation with minimized energy consumption through efficient electromechanical design.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a locking arrangement for a means of transport to be towed, such as a trailer, a tow-behind cart, or the like. A locking arrangement is intended to prevent a ball clamp, included in a device to be towed, such as in its drawbar, from being coupled to a hitch ball included in a towing vehicle, said locking arrangement including at least mechanical locking elements for preventing the ball clamp from being coupled to the hitch ball. The locking arrangement includes electrical locking elements for preventing/enabling the coupling of the ball clamp to the hitch ball electrically on a remote operation principle.