Luggage tracker

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of luggage tracker, as the back cover of luggage lock is used, it is composed of main block (5), positioning device cavity (6) is equipped in main block, the positioning device is made of electronic circuit board (7), circuit board is equipped with multifunctional button (10), antenna (17) and buzzer (18), for emitting sound prompt;It is additionally provided with independent battery cavity (8), for disposable button cell (9);All cavities are covered with flame-retardant safety film (11);Main block is equipped with the hole (16) with film, for conducting buzzer sound signal;And it is equipped with plug-in rear cover (12), the cover is provided with hole to operate multifunctional button (10).The luggage tracker of the utility model has multiple advantages: after installation, positioning equipment cannot be contacted from the outside of luggage case, even if luggage case is opened accidentally or artificially, it cannot be taken out, and it cannot be found by thief;Compatible with existing lock, can replace the back cover of common lock in market, so that luggage can be tracked.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a luggage tracker. Background Technology

[0002] Luggage is one of the most easily lost or stolen items, especially when checked in with airlines during travel. It is estimated that approximately 4.7 million Italians experienced lost or stolen luggage while traveling by air in 2024. Globally, 33 million cases of mishandled luggage (lost, damaged, or delayed) were recorded in 2024, some of which were ultimately lost permanently.

[0003] In existing technology, baggage is handed over to the airline by the owner, and the airline attaches a plastic or paper barcode tag to the baggage to enable proper and automated management and tracking of the baggage at the airport hub. However, due to its material and structure, this tag is easily damaged or detached, making baggage prone to loss and untraceable during transportation.

[0004] In the existing technology, there are several baggage anti-loss systems protected by industrial intellectual property rights. These systems combine GPS (Global Positioning System) modules with cellular (GSM) modules, which can be installed or fixed to luggage. However, such devices are virtually unusable due to the following limitations: GSM / GPS combination devices require a SIM card or eSIM and a line service contract with a telecommunications operator to transmit location data to a server and / or user; they require high-power rechargeable batteries, necessitating larger capacity batteries, yet still resulting in limited battery life; more importantly, these devices are considered mobile communication devices because they connect to cellular networks, and are therefore subject to international IATA / ICAO (international) and FAA (US) aviation safety regulations, which prohibit the use of powered-on mobile communication devices in checked baggage, even with rechargeable batteries. Therefore, these devices must be switched off before check-in and during transit, rendering their intended positioning function impossible.

[0005] As an alternative, in existing technology, luggage owners place positioning devices (so-called "smart tags" or Bluetooth trackers) in suitcases or their compartments. However, if the suitcase is accidentally opened or damaged, these devices may slip out, making the luggage untraceable. Similarly, in the event of luggage theft, thieves can easily find the trackers and remove, turn them off, or tamper with them.

[0006] In terms of components, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, suitcases are typically equipped with combination locks of different sizes and shapes, mounted on the suitcase shell; the lock consists of two parts (part 1 and part 4): • The main front body 1, accessible from the outside of the suitcase, includes mechanical security devices (combination wheel, open and release button, TSA security key lock cylinder); the main front body is installed on the suitcase by inserting into the opening 2 on the outer shell 3; • The rear cover 4 is a lock auxiliary component installed inside the suitcase. It is fixed to the main front body 1 with screws, thereby firmly fixing the entire lock to the suitcase shell. In the prior art, the rear cover is just a simple plastic cup-shaped part, used only to fix the lock, and has no other practical use. Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned limitations and defects by redesigning the back cover of the luggage lock into a multi-part structure to accommodate the electronic components required for the positioning function.

[0008] This utility model provides a luggage tracker, used as the back cover of a luggage lock. It consists of a main body block, within which is a positioning device cavity. The positioning device is composed of an electronic circuit board equipped with a multi-function button, an antenna, and a buzzer for emitting audible alerts. A separate battery cavity is also provided for a disposable button battery. All cavities are covered with a flame-retardant safety film. The main body block has membrane-covered holes for transmitting the buzzer's sound signal. A plug-in rear cover is also provided, with holes for operating the multi-function button.

[0009] In one embodiment, the main body block and the rear cover are multi-component designs that fit together; the device is non-removable when it is secured to the luggage compartment shell and lock by screws.

[0010] In one embodiment, the positioning device housed within the luggage tracker exchanges data with the mobile device via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology and accesses the mobile device network.

[0011] In one embodiment, the positioning device housed within the baggage tracker is a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tracker powered by a disposable button battery and compliant with IATA / ICAO (international) and FAA (US) aviation safety regulations.

[0012] In one embodiment, the electronic components and battery are sealed in a cavity with a flame-retardant membrane to reduce the risk of fire caused by short circuits, thereby improving the safety of use in checked baggage.

[0013] The main advantages of this invention are: after installation, the positioning device cannot be accessed from the outside of the suitcase, cannot be removed even if the suitcase is accidentally or intentionally opened, and will not be discovered by thieves. Furthermore, the device is not subject to international aviation safety regulations, and its structure and configuration allow it to operate continuously for up to 3 years without battery replacement. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 and 2 The diagram shows a combination lock typically found on existing suitcases; Figures 3-9 An embodiment of the luggage tracker of this application is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0015] like Figures 3-9 As shown, the luggage tracker of this application consists of a back cover that, while retaining the original function of the lock, has been innovatively redesigned to accommodate electronic components for positioning.

[0016] The redesigned back cover, as shown in the attached cross-section, consists of the following parts: • Main body 5, which includes a cavity 6 for housing a positioning device, which is composed of an electronic circuit board 7 equipped with a multi-function button 10, an antenna 17, and a buzzer 18 for emitting an audible alert; the electronic circuit board includes a connector extending to a separate battery cavity 8 for a disposable button battery 9; the cavity is covered with a flame-retardant safety film 11 to prevent combustion in the event of a short circuit in the electronic components or battery; the main body has a membrane-covered hole 16 for transmitting the sound signal emitted by the buzzer to the outside; • The plug-in rear cover 12 can be removed when replacing the battery. It is fixed to the main body by two safety screws 13, which serves to seal the electronic component cavity. The cover has a membrane-covered hole 14 for operating the multi-function buttons on the circuit board. The main body and the cover fit together perfectly, appearing as a single unit.

[0017] Figure 7 This is a view from the main body block 5 and the rear cover 12. Figure 8 This is a side view.

[0018] After redesign and assembly, this utility model is used as a back cover, with the main lock secured to the trunk shell by screws 15, in the same way as existing standard back cover installation methods (see...). Figure 9 ).

[0019] Regarding positioning functionality, the positioning device (i.e., the "tracker") exchanges data with mobile devices (phones, computers, tablets) via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology and accesses the mobile device network. This technology is not subject to international IATA / ICAO and FAA aviation safety regulations and allows it to remain powered on in checked baggage because this invention is specifically designed to be powered by disposable button batteries with a lithium content lower than the limits stipulated by relevant regulations.

[0020] The redesigned back cover offers the following advantages and conveniences under the new structure: • Compatible with existing locks because the internal dimensions and screw holes used to secure the lock match existing locks; therefore, the new back cover can replace commonly found lock back covers on the market, making luggage trackable; • Unlike common detachable smart tags, the cavity inside the back cover hides the positioning device, making the luggage tracker look exactly the same as a regular back cover. • Unlike common detachable smart tags, it is not detachable because it is fixed to the trunk shell along with the main lock; it can only be removed by breaking the lock or completely removing the trunk main lock, and special tools are required; in addition, since the device is installed inside the trunk and is larger than the main lock body, damage to the lock from the outside will not affect the tracking function. • Unlike locks that integrate GSM / GPS modules, this positioning device is based on Bluetooth Low Energy technology and is powered by a disposable button battery, complying with national and international aviation safety regulations (IATA / ICAO and FAA); its battery cavity can accommodate a battery of sufficient size, and a single battery can last for approximately 3 years. • Electronic components and batteries are sealed in a cavity with a flame-retardant membrane, which reduces the risk of fire caused by short circuits and thus improves the safety of checked baggage.

Claims

1. A luggage tracker, characterized in that, Used as the back cover of a luggage lock, it consists of a main body block (5), inside which is a positioning device cavity (6), which is composed of an electronic circuit board (7). The circuit board is equipped with a multi-function button (10), an antenna (17), and a buzzer (18) for emitting sound prompts; there is also an independent battery cavity (8) for disposable button batteries (9); all cavities are covered with a flame-retardant safety film (11); the main body block has a membrane hole (16) for transmitting the buzzer sound signal; and it is equipped with a plug-in rear cover (12), which has a hole for operating the multi-function button (10).

2. The baggage tracker according to claim 1, characterized in that... The main body and the rear cover are multi-component designs that fit together; the device is not removable when it is fixed to the luggage shell and lock by screws (15).

3. The baggage tracker according to claim 1, characterized in that... The internal positioning device exchanges data with mobile devices via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology and accesses mobile device networks.

4. The baggage tracker according to claim 1, characterized in that... The internal positioning device is a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tracker, powered by a disposable button battery, and complies with IATA / ICAO (international) and FAA (US) aviation safety regulations.

5. The baggage tracker according to claim 1, characterized in that... The electronic components and battery are sealed in a cavity with a flame-retardant membrane.

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