Trigger Assembly with Segmented Latch for Secure Tow Ball
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current automatic detachable tow balls are prone to accidental triggering and insecure locking mechanisms, leading to potential injury and unauthorized removal, due to the ease of premature release of the latch mechanism during insertion and the vulnerability of existing lock systems.
Innovation Solution
A trigger assembly with multiple independently movable latch members that require simultaneous disturbance to release the shuttle, combined with a lock mechanism where the plunger projects into the path of the shuttle to prevent unauthorized movement, enhancing the security and reliability of the locking system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single latch release element is used to control the latch member, then the operation is simple, but accidental triggering occurs easily during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The single latch release element is segmented into multiple independent latch release elements (first, second, and third latch release elements), each controlling a corresponding latch member. This segmentation ensures that accidental triggering during insertion is prevented because all latch members must be simultaneously disturbed to release the shuttle, which is highly unlikely to occur by chance.
2Reliability
If a lock mechanism with plunger is used to prevent unauthorized removal, then security is improved, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism with plunger is integrated within the housing structure, and the plunger is nested within the lock mechanism. The plunger can project into the path of the shuttle when in the obstructive position, preventing unauthorized removal. This nested arrangement provides enhanced security while minimizing additional complexity by utilizing the existing structural space.
3Strength
If the latch member is positioned to lie partially in bore of housing and partially in bore of bolt, then the locking is effective, but premature disturbance of latch release element causes incomplete insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple latch members are positioned and biased to engage with their corresponding latch release elements before the shuttle begins to move. This preliminary engagement ensures that all latch members are securely held in place during the insertion process, preventing premature disturbance. The biasing mechanism maintains the latch members in an engaged state until deliberate release action is taken.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A trigger assembly for a coupling member comprises a housing and a shuttle. The shuttle is received within the housing (2) and is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the housing. The trigger assembly also comprises one or more coupling elements (18) which are movable between a stowed position and a deployed position, the coupling elements being movable to the deployed position under action of the shuttle moving to the second position. The trigger assembly further comprises a plurality of latch members (20) distributed about the shuttle, each latch member being independently movable from an engaged configuration, in which the latch member retains the shuttle in the first position, to a released configuration, in which the latch member permits movement of the shuttle from the first position to the second position.