ALTEC Automated Locking System Group Members Michael Thompson Justin Rutledge Ben Mize Randy Turner Drew Mardis Richard Moyer

The chrome rings can be replaced by a stronger, cheaper bracket  Retails at 25 cents, while the ring costs 35 cents  Can be bolted on, instead of welded  Is already painted  Is already manufactured

The competition’s system is expensive  The Reading Latch-Matic system costs $800 on a small two cabinet truck  The system is not an extra level of security. It only automates the existing door handles.

Two distinct designs emerged from the design process  The existing system can be equipped with a large solenoid and a manual override.  Each door can be fitted with an automatic lock of its own, as is done in nearly all existing automatic vehicle locking systems.

An automated gang lock can be built with many existing parts  A solenoid can be attached to the existing system, and an access panel installed for emergency locking and unlocking.  Most of the existing system can be retained  This system, after significant thought, is expensive and relatively complex.

A small, independent lock can be put into each door  Using purchased parts and a few manufactured parts, an electric deadbolt can be made for every door.  Installing a system like this, on a per-door basis, could be very simple.

The gang lock system has many drawbacks Pros: -Strong Design -Proven functionality, as it is currently used Cons: -More expensive than the competing design -Large solenoids are very expensive -Clearance issues -Does not work on all trucks -Manual override is difficult and expensive -Assembly is time consuming

The per-door system is made from inexpensive parts Pros: -Can be used on any door -Cheaper than Reading’s current system($800 per truck) -Based on existing technology -Takes up very little internal space -Override system is very simple and dependable -Easy to install and replace Cons: -Many units increase likelihood of failure -Does not use currently manufactured ALTEC parts -Can be expensive if there are many doors

For nearly all trucks, a per-door system is cheaper  Each design requires incurs at least a 70 dollar cost for the wireless receiver.  The per-door system costs 25 dollars per door. On a 10 door truck, the system costs around 250 dollars.  The automated gang lock needs a separate module for each box, costing around 150 dollars apiece, labor included. For a three box truck, the system can cost over 450 dollars.

A per-door system can slide or rotate to lock  A rotational solenoid, a lock and a swinging bar can be integrated to lock a door very simply.  Linear solenoids are frequently more powerful and cheaper, but the system ends up being a little more complex.

A Preliminary Sliding Design - 3 purchased parts (red) - 4 manufactured parts (green)

The manufactured parts are simple

Manufacture is extremely basic  The assembly can be made with the sheet metal stamping machine, 90 degree bends, a drill press and a hacksaw.  Estimated assembly time for a unit is around minutes.

The Rotational Design -2 Purchased Parts (red) -3 Manufactured Parts (green)

The design can benefit from added features  Integrating the system into the cellular network (similar to OnStar).  A modular system could be made easier to install with an installation guide bracket.  A piece of U-channel on the inside of the door can help prevent thieves attempts to bend the doors.