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 10 15 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