Antitheft Wheel Nut Variable Depth Groove Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antitheft locking devices for motor vehicle wheels, featuring a neutral rotatable bushing retained by an elastic ring, are vulnerable to severe burglary efforts that can forcibly remove the bushing, and the assembly process is challenging, leading to potential damage and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The antitheft locking device incorporates a groove with variable depth to house the retaining ring, ensuring it is seated without radial clearance, allowing the bushing to freely rotate while resisting removal, and featuring an elastic element to maintain spacing and reduce assembly risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a groove with variable depth is used to house the retaining ring, then the bushing is securely fixed without radial clearance, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The groove transitions from a simple circular cross-section to a variable depth structure along the axial dimension. The groove depth varies from a first value at the distal end to a second value at the proximal end, creating a three-dimensional configuration that provides both secure retention and assembly clearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove depth is dynamically varied along its length to serve different functional requirements at different positions. The distal portion has greater depth for secure retention, while the proximal portion has lesser depth to accommodate the retaining ring during assembly, creating a dynamic structural solution.
2Reliability
If the retaining ring is housed without radial clearance, then the bushing resists removal, but the difficulty of assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The groove is segmented into distinct portions along its length: a distal portion with greater depth for secure retention and a proximal portion with lesser depth for assembly accommodation. This segmentation allows the retaining ring to be installed in the shallower proximal region while ultimately being secured in the deeper distal region.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove is pre-configured with variable depth to facilitate the preliminary assembly action. The shallower proximal portion provides initial clearance that allows the retaining ring to be positioned and installed without excessive force, before the bushing is fully assembled and secured.
3Ease of operation
If a steel elastic ring is used to retain the bushing, then the bushing is held securely, but the ring can be forcibly removed by burglary efforts
Solution Approach 1:
The groove incorporates a curved, arcuate path that the retaining ring follows. This curved configuration distributes the retention forces along the arc and makes it more difficult for burglary tools to apply concentrated force to remove the ring, while still allowing normal operational retention.
4Ease of manufacture
If the groove has variable depth, then assembly risks are reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the groove have different depth qualities tailored to their specific functions. The distal portion has greater depth for secure retention, while the proximal portion has lesser depth for assembly facilitation. This local differentiation of quality allows each region to be optimized for its purpose without requiring uniform high precision throughout.
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 effectively resists severe burglary attempts by securely fixing the bushing to the body, reducing the risk of damage during assembly, and simplifying production, thereby enhancing security and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a steel elastic ring, of the 'seeger' type, is generally provided, which is housed in a corresponding circumferential seat provided on the head of the antitheft device
Data Source
AI summary
An antitheft locking device (11), in particular for fixing a wheel to a motor vehicle hub, made in form of a nut or bolt, comprising a body (13) provided with engagement means (21) for a complementary key by means of which it is possible to rotate said device, and an associated bushing (19) freely rotatable around said body (13), in which at least a radial seat (25) is provided for at least a retaining element (23) capable of preventing the axial withdrawal of the bushing (19) from the body (13), said seat being obtained partially in the body (13) of the device and partially in the bushing (19), wherein said seat (25) has a depth varying along the axial direction.