Anti-tamper locking mechanism and its operation method

Abstract

A tamper-proof locking mechanism and its operating method are disclosed. The tamper-proof locking mechanism includes a bolt, a rotating cover, a connector, and a main elastic element. The bolt includes a locking body; a spacer fixed within the locking body; and a bridging member fixed within the locking body. The rotating cover is rotatably disposed within the locking body. The connector is movable and rotatably disposed within the locking body and connected to the rotating cover. The main elastic element is disposed between the connector and the spacer. When the bridging member is fixed to the spacer, the connector contacts the bridging member, and rotating the rotating cover causes the connector, the bridging member, and the locking body to rotate with the rotating cover. When the locking body is locked to a workpiece, rotating the rotating cover causes the connector to rotate relative to the locking body, thereby disengaging the bridging member from the spacer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a locking mechanism and its operating method, and more particularly to an anti-tamper locking mechanism and its operating method. Background Technology

[0002] The assembly of electronic devices typically involves installing various electronic components inside a casing, which is then secured with screws or similar means. However, children can easily use a regular screwdriver to remove the screws and open the casing, thereby disassembling the electronic components inside and potentially damaging the device.

[0003] Furthermore, if the casing is only secured with screws, it is possible for others to easily steal the storage devices inside the casing, resulting in significant losses due to the theft of important data. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, in this invention, the anti-tamper mechanism allows the user to secure the housing using common locking tools such as screwdrivers. However, opening the housing requires the use of specific disassembly tools, increasing the difficulty of opening the housing. An embodiment of the present invention discloses an anti-tamper locking mechanism, including a bolt, a rotating cover, a connector, and a main elastic element. The bolt includes a locking body; a spacer fixed within the locking body; and a bridging member fixed within the locking body. The rotating cover is rotatably disposed within the locking body. The connector is movable and rotatably disposed within the locking body and connected to the rotating cover. The main elastic element is disposed between the connector and the spacer. When the bridging member is fixed to the spacer, the connector contacts the bridging member, and rotating the rotating cover causes the connector, the bridging member, and the locking body to rotate with the rotating cover. When the locking body is locked to a workpiece, rotating the rotating cover causes the connector to rotate relative to the locking body, thereby disengaging the bridging member from the spacer.

[0005] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the bolt further includes a locking block fixed in the locking body, wherein when the locking body is removed from the workpiece, a disassembly tool is used to connect to the rotating cover and engage the connector with the locking block, and the disassembly tool is used to rotate the rotating cover so that the locking body rotates with the rotating cover.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rotating cover includes a vent opening, through which the disassembly tool supplies air to the locking body, thereby pushing the connector to engage with the locking block.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the bridging member is fixed to the spacer, the connecting member separates from the locking block.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rotating cover includes a limiting groove, and the bolt further includes a limiting member located in the limiting groove. The limiting groove is an annular structure used to restrict the rotating cover from rotating relative to the locking body about a virtual central axis.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the connector includes a limiting groove, and the rotating cover includes a limiting rib located within the limiting groove. The limiting groove and the limiting rib are used to limit the longitudinal movement of the connector relative to the locking body and the rotating cover.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the spacer includes a shaft hole, and the connector includes a shaft portion located within the shaft hole; and a drive structure surrounds the shaft portion for rotating the bolt. The main elastic element is located between the shaft portion and the drive structure.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the connecting member further includes a stop structure disposed on the shaft portion, wherein the stop structure passes through the bridging member to prevent the bridging member from detaching from the connecting member.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the shaft portion further includes a fitting groove, and the bridging member further includes a fitting block. When the bridging member is fixed to the spacer, the fitting block is located in the fitting groove.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the anti-tamper locking mechanism further includes an inner elastic element disposed in the fitting groove of the shaft portion, wherein when the bridging member is disconnected from the spacer, the inner elastic element pushes the bridging member.

[0014] An embodiment of the present invention discloses an operating method for an anti-tamper locking mechanism, comprising the following steps: Rotating the rotating cover of the anti-tamper locking mechanism to lock the locking body of the bolt of the anti-tamper locking mechanism into the workpiece, wherein the bolt further includes a spacer disposed within the locking body and a bridging member fixed to the spacer, and the anti-tamper locking mechanism further includes a connecting member movably and rotatably disposed within the locking body and connected to the rotating cover. Further rotating the rotating cover causes the connecting member to rotate relative to the locking body, thereby disengaging the bridging member from the spacer.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described operation method further includes the following steps: When the rotating cover is rotated, the connecting member, the bridging member, and the locking body rotate relative to the workpiece following the rotation of the rotating cover.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described operation method further includes the following steps: connecting a disassembly tool to the rotating cover and engaging the connector with the bolt's locking block.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described operation method further includes the following steps: The disassembly tool delivers air to the locking body through the vent opening of the rotating cover, thereby pushing the connector to engage with the locking block.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described operation method further includes the following steps: Rotating the rotating cover using the disassembly tool causes the connecting member to rotate the locking body relative to the workpiece, thereby removing the bolt from the workpiece. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of an anti-tamper locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A 3D view of the anti-tamper locking mechanism.

[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Exploded cross-sectional view of the anti-tamper locking mechanism.

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 2 An exploded view of the anti-tamper locking mechanism from another perspective.

[0023] Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the operation method of the anti-tamper locking mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention during operation.

[0024] Explanation of main component symbols Anti-tamper locking mechanism 1 10 bolts Locking Body 11 Head 111 Screw 112 Spacer 12 Shaft hole 121 Bridge component 13 Interlocking Block 131 Card Combination 14 Limiting component 15 Rotate cap 20 Cover 21 Tool slot 211 Connecting column 22 Restriction Rib 23 Ventilation column 24 Ventilation opening 241 Barrier 242 Limiting groove 25 Connector 30 Guiding Structure 31 Limiting slot 311 Shaft 32 Fitting slot 321 Drive structure 33 Tooth 331 Stop structure 34 341 of the pole Stop block 342 Internal elastic element 40 Main elastic element 50 Virtual central axis AX1 Vertical D1 Disassembly tool T1 workpiece W1 The following detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, will further illustrate the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To facilitate understanding and implementation of the present invention by those skilled in the art, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the present invention provides many applicable creative concepts, which can be implemented in various specific forms. The specific embodiments discussed and illustrated herein are merely specific ways of manufacturing and using the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] Furthermore, repeated reference numerals or designations may be used in different embodiments. These repetitions are merely for the purpose of clearly and simply describing the invention and do not imply any connection between the different embodiments and / or structures discussed. It should be noted that when an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an element disposed in between. When an element is considered to be "disposed" on another element, it can be directly disposed on the other element or there may be an element disposed in between.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The terminology used herein in the specification of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0028] Figure 1This is a cross-sectional view of the anti-tamper locking mechanism 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the anti-dismantling locking mechanism 1. Figure 3 for Figure 2 Exploded cross-sectional view of the anti-disassembly locking mechanism 1. Figure 4 for Figure 2 An exploded view of the tamper-proof locking mechanism 1 from another perspective. The tamper-proof locking mechanism 1 can be locked onto two workpieces W1, thereby joining the two workpieces W1 together. For example, one workpiece W1 can be a housing, and the other workpiece W1 can be a cover plate. The tamper-proof locking mechanism 1 includes a bolt 10, a rotating cover 20, a connector 30, an internal elastic element 40, and a main elastic element 50.

[0029] Bolt 10 can be locked onto workpiece W1 and includes a locking body 11, a spacer 12, a bridging member 13, and multiple engaging blocks 14. The locking body 11, spacer 12, bridging member 13, and engaging blocks 14 can be integrally formed and made of the same material, such as metal. The locking body 11 can be an elongated structure extending along the longitudinal direction D1. The locking body 11 can be a hollow structure or a cylindrical structure. Furthermore, a virtual central axis AX1 can extend parallel to the longitudinal direction D1 and pass through the center of the locking body 11.

[0030] The locking body 11 includes a head 111 and a screw 112. The head 111 and screw 112 can be hollow or cylindrical. The head 111 is connected to the screw 112, and the outer surface of the screw 112 has threads. In this embodiment, the diameter of the head 111 can be larger than the diameter of the screw 112. The diameters of the head 111 and the screw 112 can be measured in the same direction perpendicular to a virtual central axis AX1. The head 111 and screw 112 can be integrally formed and made of the same material, such as metal.

[0031] The spacer 12 is fixed within the screw 112 of the locking body 11 and can extend perpendicularly to the virtual central axis AX1. The bridging member 13 and the engaging blocks 14 are fixed within the screw 112. In this embodiment, the bridging member 13 and the plurality of engaging blocks 14 can be fixed on opposite sides of the spacer 12. In other words, the spacer 12 can be located between the bridging member 13 and the engaging blocks 14. The engaging blocks 14 are closer to the head 111 than the bridging member 13. The virtual central axis AX1 can pass through the center of the spacer 12 and the bridging member 13, and the plurality of engaging blocks 14 can be arranged around the virtual central axis AX1.

[0032] A rotating cover 20 is rotatably disposed on the head 111 of the locking body 11. The rotating cover 20 includes a cover body 21, a connecting post 22, multiple restraining ribs 23, and a venting column 24. The cover body 21, connecting post 22, restraining ribs 23, and venting column 24 can be integrally formed and made of the same material, such as plastic. A virtual central axis AX1 passes through the center of the cover body 21, connecting post 22, and venting column 24, and the restraining ribs 23 can be arranged around the virtual central axis AX1. The cover body 21 is located within the head 111 of the locking body 11 and protrudes from the bolt 10. The cover body 21 has a tool slot 211. A locking tool (not shown) and a disassembly tool T1 (such as...) are also provided. Figure 6 The cover 20 (as shown) can be inserted into the tool slot 211 to rotate the cover 20. In this embodiment, the locking tool can be a screwdriver. The connecting post 22 is connected to the cover 21 and can be located within the head 111 and / or the screw 112. The connecting post 22 can be a hollow structure. The limiting rib 23 can be fixed to the connecting post 22 and is located within the connecting post 22. In addition, the limiting rib 23 can extend toward and parallel to the virtual central axis AX1. The venting column 24 is fixed to the cover 21 and is located within the connecting post 22 and the locking body 11. The venting column 24 includes one or more vent openings 241. The vent openings 241 communicate with the tool slot 211. In this embodiment, the vent openings 241 are formed on the outer side wall of the venting column 24 and are separated from the virtual central axis AX1. The end of the venting column 24 has a blocking wall 242. The virtual central axis AX1 passes through the center of the tool slot 211 and the blocking wall 242. Therefore, it can reduce the number of objects falling between the rotating cover 20 and the connector 30 through the vent opening 241.

[0033] The rotating cover 20 further includes a limiting groove 25 formed on the outer wall of the cover body 21 and / or the connecting post 22. The bolt 10 further includes a limiting member 15 extending into the limiting groove 25. In this embodiment, the limiting member 15 may be a pin, passing through the head 111 of the locking body 11 into the limiting groove 25. The limiting groove 25 is an annular structure surrounding the virtual central axis AX1. The limiting member 15 and the limiting groove 25 are used to restrict the rotation of the rotating cover 20 relative to the locking body 11 about the virtual central axis AX1. In other words, the limiting member 15 and the limiting groove 25 prevent the rotating cover 20 from moving relative to the locking body 11 along the virtual central axis AX1.

[0034] The connector 30 is movably and rotatably disposed within the locking body 11 and connected to the rotating cover 20. The connector 30 is movable relative to the rotating cover 20 and relative to the longitudinal direction D1. The connector 30 includes a guide structure 31, a shaft portion 32, a drive structure 33, and a stop structure 34. The guide structure 31, shaft portion 32, and drive structure 33 may be integrally formed and made of the same material, such as metal or plastic. The guide structure 31 may extend along the longitudinal direction D1 and may be a hollow structure. The guide structure 31 may include a plurality of limiting grooves 311, which may extend along the longitudinal direction D1 and be spaced apart from each other. In other words, the limiting grooves 311 may be arranged around the virtual central axis AX1. The limiting ribs 23 of the rotating cover 20 may be located within the limiting grooves 311. The limiting groove 311 and the limiting rib 23 can limit the movement of the connector 30 along the longitudinal direction D1 relative to the locking body 11 and the rotating cover 20, and can prevent the connector 30 from rotating relative to the rotating cover 20.

[0035] The shaft portion 32 may be a columnar structure extending along the virtual central axis AX1. In other words, the virtual central axis AX1 can pass through the center of the shaft portion 32. The shaft portion 32 can rotate relative to the locking body 11 with the virtual central axis AX1 as the center. The spacer 12 may include a shaft hole 121, and the virtual central axis AX1 can pass through the center of the shaft hole 121. The shaft portion 32 is rotatably located within the shaft hole 121. The drive structure 33 surrounds the shaft portion 32 and is secured by the rotating bolt 10. In this embodiment, the drive structure 33 may include teeth 331. When the teeth 331 engage with the locking block 14, rotating the rotating cover 20 causes the connecting member 30 and the locking body 11 to rotate with the rotating cover 20.

[0036] A stop structure 34 may be disposed at the end of the shaft portion 32 and may pass through the bridging member 13. The stop structure 34 is used to prevent the bridging member 13 from detaching from the connector 30. In this embodiment, the stop structure 34 may be a screw, and the stop structure 34 may include a rod portion 341 and a stop block 342. One end of the rod portion 341 may be fixed to the end of the shaft portion 32, and the other end of the rod portion 341 may be fixed to the stop block 342. The rod portion 341 of the stop structure 34 passes through the bridging member 13. The bridging member 13 is confined between the stop block 342 and the end of the shaft portion 32. Furthermore, the length of the rod portion 341 in the longitudinal direction D1 is greater than the length of the bridging member 13 in the longitudinal direction D1, so when the bridging member 13 is disconnected from the spacer 12, the bridging member 13 may move along the longitudinal direction D1 on the rod portion 341.

[0037] In this embodiment, the shaft portion 32 further includes a fitting groove 321 formed at the end of the shaft portion 32. The bridging member 13 further includes a fitting block 131. When the bridging member 13 is fixed to the spacer 12, the fitting block 131 is located within the fitting groove 321. Furthermore, the fitting block 131 may be polygonal, and the fitting groove 321 may be a polygon that mates with the fitting block 131. Therefore, when the bridging member 13 is fixed to the spacer 12, rotating the rotating cover 20 allows the shaft portion 32, the fitting block 131, and the spacer 12 to rotate with the rotating cover 20.

[0038] The inner elastic element 40 may be disposed within the fitting groove 321 of the shaft portion 32 and abut against the fitting block 131. The inner elastic element 40 may be a spring or an elastic material, such as rubber. When the bridging member 13 is disconnected from the spacer 12, the inner elastic element 40 pushes the bridging member 13 out of the fitting groove 321. In another embodiment, the anti-tamper locking mechanism 1 may not include the inner elastic element 40.

[0039] The main elastic element 50 is disposed between the connector 30 and the spacer 12. Alternatively, the main elastic element 50 may be located between the shaft portion 32 and the drive structure 33. In this embodiment, the main elastic element 50 may be a spring. The main elastic element 50 applies a spring force to the connector 30 to cause the connector 30 to be positioned... Figure 1 The initial position in.

[0040] Figure 5 as well as Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the operation method of the tamper-proof locking mechanism 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention during the operation process. In step 1, as... Figures 1 to 4 As shown, the locking body 11 of the bolt 10 is locked into the two workpieces W1 by rotating the rotating cap 20 with a locking tool. At this time, the bridging member 13 is fixed to the spacer 12, and the connecting member 30 is in the initial position. The teeth 331 of the drive structure 33 of the connecting member 30 are separated from the engaging block 14 of the bolt 10. The fitting block 131 of the bridging member 13 is located in the fitting groove 321 of the connecting member 30. Therefore, rotating the rotating cap 20 allows the connecting member 30, the bridging member 13, and the locking body 11 to rotate with the rotating cap 20, thereby locking the two workpieces W1.

[0041] In step 2, when the locking body 11 is locked to the workpiece W1, the rotating cover 20 is further rotated to make the connecting member 30 rotate relative to the locking body 11, thereby causing the bridging member 13 to... Figure 5 The connection is broken from spacer 12. At this time, the inner elastic element 40 pushes the bridging element 13 out of the fitting groove 321. Figure 5 As shown, when the user continues to use the locking tool to rotate the cover 20 clockwise or counterclockwise, the locking body 11 cannot be rotated again, thus achieving the anti-tampering function of the anti-tampering locking mechanism 1.

[0042] When the user wishes to remove the tamper-proof locking mechanism 1 from the two workpieces W1, steps 3 and 4 below can be performed. In step 3, as follows... Figure 6 As shown, the disassembly tool T1 is inserted into the tool slot 211 to connect to the rotating cover 20. Then, the disassembly tool T1 is used to move the connector 30 toward the spacer 12, so that the teeth 331 of the connector 30 engage with the locking block 14. In this embodiment, the disassembly tool T1 is connected to an air pump. By activating the air pump, pressurized air is delivered through the end of the disassembly tool T1. Therefore, the disassembly tool T1 can deliver air into the locking body 11 through the vent 241, thereby pushing the connector 30 from... Figure 5 The initial position moves along the longitudinal direction D1 to Figure 6 The engagement position is such that the teeth 331 of the drive structure 33 of the connector 30 engage with the locking block 14 of the bolt 10.

[0043] In this embodiment, the vent column 24 has a blocking wall 242 at its end. Therefore, the connector 30 cannot be pushed by passing the rotating cover 20 along the longitudinal direction D1 with the needle-like rod, thus increasing the difficulty of disassembling the tamper-evident locking mechanism 1. In another embodiment, the vent column 24 may not include the blocking wall, and the vent opening 241 of the vent column 24 may be located on the virtual central axis AX1. Therefore, the user can disassemble the tamper-evident locking mechanism 1 using a disassembly tool T1 with a needle-like rod at its end.

[0044] In step 4, the rotating cover 20 is rotated using the disassembly tool T1 to cause the connector 30 to rotate the locking body 11 relative to the workpiece W1, thereby removing the bolt 10 from the workpiece W1. In other words, when the rotating cover 20 is rotated, the connector 30 and the locking body 11 rotate with the rotating cover 20.

[0045] In summary, the anti-tamper locking mechanism 1 of the present invention can be fixed to the workpiece W1 by using a conventional screwdriver, and the anti-tamper locking mechanism 1 cannot be disassembled by using a conventional screwdriver, thereby achieving the anti-tamper function of the anti-tamper locking mechanism 1.

[0046] For those skilled in the art, other corresponding changes or adjustments can be made based on the creative scheme and concept of the present invention in combination with the actual needs generated, and such changes and adjustments should all fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tamper-proof locking mechanism, characterized in that, include: Bolts, including: Locking the body; Spacer, fixed to the aforementioned locking body; and The bridging component is fixed to the aforementioned locking body; The rotating cover is rotatably mounted on the aforementioned locking body; A connector, movably and rotatably disposed within the aforementioned locking body, and connected to the aforementioned rotating cover; and The main elastic element is disposed between the aforementioned connecting member and the aforementioned spacer. When the bridging member is fixed to the spacer, the connecting member contacts the bridging member, and the connecting member, the bridging member, and the locking body rotate with the rotating cover by rotating the cover. When the locking body is locked to the workpiece, the connecting member is rotated relative to the locking body by rotating the rotating cover, thereby causing the bridging member to disconnect from the spacer.

2. The anti-dismantling locking mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bolt further includes a locking block, which is fixed to the locking body. When the locking body is removed from the workpiece, a disassembly tool is used to connect to the rotating cover and engage the connector with the locking block. The disassembly tool is used to rotate the rotating cover so that the locking body rotates with the rotating cover.

3. The anti-dismantling locking mechanism as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The aforementioned rotating cover includes a vent opening, through which the aforementioned disassembly tool supplies air to the aforementioned locking body, thereby pushing the aforementioned connector to engage with the aforementioned locking block.

4. The anti-dismantling locking mechanism as described in claim 2, characterized in that, When the bridging member is fixed to the spacer, the connecting member separates from the locking block.

5. The anti-dismantling locking mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned rotating cover includes a limiting groove, and the aforementioned bolt further includes a limiting member located within the aforementioned limiting groove. The aforementioned limiting groove is an annular structure used to restrict the aforementioned rotating cover from rotating relative to the aforementioned locking body with respect to a virtual central axis.

6. The anti-dismantling locking mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned connector includes a limiting groove, and the aforementioned rotating cover includes a limiting rib located within the limiting groove. The limiting groove and the aforementioned limiting rib are used to limit the longitudinal movement of the aforementioned connector relative to the aforementioned locking body and the aforementioned rotating cover.

7. The anti-dismantling locking mechanism as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned spacer includes a shaft hole, and the aforementioned connector includes: The shaft portion is located within the aforementioned shaft hole; and The drive structure, surrounding the aforementioned shaft, is used to rotate the aforementioned bolts. The main elastic element is located between the shaft and the drive structure.

8. The anti-dismantling locking mechanism as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The aforementioned shaft portion further includes a fitting groove, the aforementioned bridging member further includes a fitting block, and the aforementioned anti-tamper locking mechanism further includes an internal elastic element disposed within the aforementioned fitting groove. When the bridging member is fixed to the spacer, the fitting block is located in the fitting groove, and when the bridging member is disconnected from the spacer, the inner elastic element pushes the bridging member.

9. A method for operating an anti-tamper locking mechanism, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: (a) Rotating the rotating cover of the aforementioned tamper-proof locking mechanism locks the locking body of the bolt of the aforementioned tamper-proof locking mechanism into the workpiece, wherein the bolt further includes a spacer disposed within the aforementioned locking body and a bridging member fixed to the aforementioned spacer, and the aforementioned tamper-proof locking mechanism further includes a connecting member, movably and rotatably disposed within the aforementioned locking body and connected to the aforementioned rotating cover; and (b) Further rotate the aforementioned rotating cover to rotate the aforementioned connector relative to the aforementioned locking body, thereby causing the aforementioned bridging member to disconnect from the aforementioned spacer.

10. The operation method of the anti-tamper locking mechanism as described in claim 9, characterized in that, It also includes the following steps: (c) Connecting the disassembly tool to the aforementioned rotating cover and engaging the aforementioned connector with the aforementioned bolt's locking block; and (d) Using the disassembly tool described above, rotate the rotating cover to cause the connecting member to rotate the locking body relative to the workpiece, thereby removing the bolt from the workpiece.

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