Trailer Coupler Lock Enclosure with Segmented Steel Box
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trailer coupler locks are vulnerable to theft as they can be easily defeated by bolt cutters, hammers, or pry bars, leading to significant economic and insurance-related issues due to the high frequency of trailer thefts.
Innovation Solution
A welded steel box enclosure with a hinge and a high-security hasp surround that mates with a 'puck' style lock, providing a fully encased trailer coupler lock that requires power tools or cutting torches to be defeated, unlike conventional locks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional trailer coupler locks are used, then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but the reliability is poor as they can be easily defeated by bolt cutters, hammers, or pry bars
Solution Approach 1:
The lock is divided into two separate halves that are attached to opposite sides of the coupler, with a hasp bridge connecting them. This segmentation allows the lock to encase the coupler completely while maintaining structural integrity and resistance to conventional breaking tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock combines multiple materials including steel for the hasp bridge and lock body, rubber or plastic for the coupler encasement, and a high-security puck-style lock mechanism. This composite construction provides both security and protection against environmental factors.
2Reliability
If a fully encased steel box enclosure with hasp surround is used, then the reliability and security are significantly enhanced, but the ease of manufacture decreases due to welding requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The steel box enclosure is constructed from two separate halves that are welded together, allowing for easier manufacturing and assembly while maintaining the security benefits of a fully encased structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The hasp surround is welded directly to the steel box enclosure, creating a unified structure that integrates the locking mechanism with the encasement, thereby enhancing security while streamlining the overall design.
3Reliability
If conventional locks are used, then the ease of operation is high, but the reliability is low as they can be defeated with common tools
Solution Approach 1:
A hasp bridge acts as an intermediary component that connects the two halves of the lock and provides a mounting surface for the high-security puck-style lock. This intermediary structure simplifies the locking mechanism while maintaining high security standards.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the steel box enclosure is made larger to accommodate different coupler sizes, then the adaptability increases, but the weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lock design allows for adjustable or removable components that can accommodate different coupler sizes without requiring a completely different lock structure, thereby maintaining adaptability while controlling weight.
Data Source
AI summary
A hinged lock for trailer couplers utilizing a hasp that mates with “puck” style locks. The hinged lock enclosure fully encases the trailer coupler and may have apertures of differing shapes and sizes allowing the lock to mate with various trailer couplers.