Wheel Lock Security Device with Nested Cam and Rack Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel locks lack enhanced security, usability, and robustness, making them vulnerable to theft and difficult to use safely.
Innovation Solution
A wheel lock security device with a pair of arms and a locking assembly featuring a static and actuatable portion, including rack plates and a rotatable cam, that provides secure engagement and disengagement, along with a chock for wheel stabilization and safety features to prevent injury, and optional electronic security circuitry for tampering detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional wheel lock with arms and locking mechanism is used, then the wheel is secured against theft, but the device lacks enhanced security features and is vulnerable to torque-induced damage
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly is divided into a static portion and an actuatable portion that can be received within each other. The static portion includes rack plates with tabs, while the actuatable portion includes a rotatable cam with arms. This segmentation allows the device to maintain structural integrity while providing secure engagement points, distributing torque forces across multiple engagement points rather than concentrating them in a single locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuatable portion is designed to be received within the static portion, creating a nested structure. The rotatable cam with its arms fits inside the housing that contains the rack plates. This nested configuration protects the locking mechanism from external torque forces while maintaining secure engagement, as the inner actuatable portion is shielded by the outer static portion.
2Reliability
If a wheel lock with secure locking mechanism is used, then theft is deterred, but the device lacks safety features to prevent injury during installation or handling
Solution Approach 1:
The safety assembly includes features that prevent inadvertent separation of the arms before the locking mechanism is fully engaged. This preliminary protective action ensures that during installation or handling, the arms cannot accidentally detach and cause injury, while still allowing the secure locking function to operate when properly engaged.
3Reliability
If a wheel lock with basic functionality is used, then it secures the wheel, but it lacks electronic security features for tampering detection
Solution Approach 1:
The locking assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: the static portion with rack plates provides the basic mechanical locking function, while the actuatable portion with rotatable cam provides secure engagement. Additionally, the device can incorporate electronic security circuitry with motion sensors for tampering detection, allowing the same structural framework to support both mechanical and electronic security functions.
4Ease of operation
If the actuatable portion is made easily receivable within the static portion, then usability is improved, but security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The actuatable portion is designed to be dynamically positionable between a received state (when secured) and an extended state (when opened). The rotatable cam can rotate to engage or disengage from the rack plates, and the actuatable portion can slide or telescope within the static portion. This dynamic design allows easy operation when opening while maintaining secure engagement when locked.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device offers improved security by minimizing torque-induced damage, enhancing usability with safe handling, and providing electronic alerts for tampering, thereby increasing security and reducing the risk of theft and injury.
Implementation Method 1
The actuatable portion may include a rotatable cam having a pair of oppositely disposed arms
Data Source
AI summary
A security device attaches to and secures a wheel of vehicle. The security device has a pair of arms for releasably engaging with a wheel and a locking assembly attached to or disposed between the arms. The locking assembly may include a static portion disposed on one of the arms and an actuatable portion disposed on the other arm. The actuatable portion is receivable within the static portion. The static portion may include one or more rack plates each having a plurality of tabs, with the rack plates being disposed in an opposite and spaced relationship, such that the actuatable portion is receivable therebetween. The actuatable portion may include a rotatable cam having a pair of oppositely disposed arms. The actuatable portion is positionable in a secured position in which the arms are respectively engaged with tabs of the rack plates, and an opened position in which the arms are disengaged from the rack plates.