Oil Container Valve Handle Bracket for Anti-Tamper Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional oil container valves can be tampered with by removing the handle, allowing unauthorized individuals to rotate the stud and actuate the valve, posing a security risk.

Innovation Solution

A bracket system is designed for the oil container valve that includes a plate with specific openings and a channel to secure the handle, using a conjoining pin and lock to prevent unauthorized rotation, ensuring the handle is rotationally secured relative to the mounting plate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the handle is secured using conventional conjoining pins in mounting plate holes, then the valve position is fixed, but the handle can be removed allowing unauthorized rotation of the stud

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve position securityVSAvoidunauthorized tampering

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is divided into multiple functional components: a channel for receiving the handle, openings for pin insertion, and alignment features. This segmentation allows the bracket to provide both handle retention and anti-tampering functionality through distributed security mechanisms rather than a single point of failure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket acts as an intermediary component between the handle and the mounting plate, providing an additional layer of security. The bracket with its channel and opening configuration mediates the connection, preventing direct access to the stud while maintaining valve position control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the handle opening is accessible for tool insertion to rotate the stud, then the valve can be actuated, but unauthorized individuals can remove the handle and rotate the stud with a wrench

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve actuationVSAvoidunauthorized rotation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket provides different qualities at different locations: the channel provides enclosed guidance for the handle, the first opening provides controlled access for tool insertion, and the second opening provides pin retention. This local differentiation allows operational access while preventing handle removal and unauthorized tampering

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If conjoining pins are used to secure the handle, then the handle is fixed in position, but the pins can be removed allowing handle detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle position stabilityVSAvoidanti-tampering security

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket adds a dimensional layer of security by incorporating a channel that receives the handle and restricts its movement to rotational motion only. This dimensional constraint prevents the handle from being completely removed, adding stability while maintaining security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11549609B2Bracket for locking a handle of an oil container

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 MCDOWELL ALAN

AI summary

Brackets including a plate having a first, a second, and a third opening, and a channel extending from the plate. The channel has a first and a second end, the first end defining a fourth opening for receiving a handle into the channel. The first opening is positioned over the channel such that when a handle is fully inserted into the channel the opening in the handle would be accessible through the first opening of the plate. The second opening is positioned over the channel such that when the handle is inserted into the channel and a connecting pin is inserted into the second opening and the handle, the handle becomes connected to the bracket. The third opening is positioned to align with the at least one hole in a mounting plate of an oil container valve when the handle is coupled to the stud of the oil container valve.