Anchoring Profile with High-Friction Locking Layer for Electronic Tags
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anchoring profiles for electronic tags fail to securely lock the tags in place, allowing for accidental or intentional sliding and theft due to insufficient friction and ease of manual extraction.
Innovation Solution
A C-shaped anchoring profile with lateral retention wings featuring a locking layer made of a material with a higher friction coefficient than the profile, which is compressed by mating teeth to enhance retention and prevent sliding, combined with a design that allows for easy assembly and secure fastening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional anchoring profiles without locking features are used, then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but the reliability of preventing tag sliding and theft is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The locking layer is designed to be deformable under compression, allowing it to dynamically adapt to the mating tooth while maintaining high friction. The layer can be compressed during tag insertion and then exerts a locking force to prevent sliding, providing a dynamic locking mechanism without complex structural components.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction coefficient is changed by applying the locking layer with different friction properties than the anchoring profile. This parameter change enables the interface between the tag and profile to transition from low friction (allowing easy insertion) to high friction (preventing sliding and theft) through the compression action of the mating tooth.
2Reliability
If elastic tabs or locking pins are added to anchoring profiles, then the reliability of locking electronic tags improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged with the anchoring profile itself through the locking layer applied on its surface. Instead of adding separate locking components like elastic tabs or locking pins, the locking capability is integrated into the profile's surface structure, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking layer can be implemented as a relatively simple, cost-effective material coating or attachment on the anchoring profile. This approach uses a simpler, more economical solution compared to complex mechanical locking components, making the system easier to manufacture and more cost-effective.
3Reliability
If locking layers with high friction coefficient are applied on lateral retention wings, then the reliability of preventing tag sliding improves, but the ease of operation for inserting tags may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The locking layer is pre-positioned on the anchoring profile surface before tag insertion. During insertion, the mating tooth compresses the locking layer, temporarily reducing its frictional resistance to allow the tag to be inserted. Once in position, the locking layer's high friction coefficient engages to prevent sliding, thus preliminary preparation enables both easy insertion and secure retention.
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 solution provides a secure and reliable locking mechanism that prevents unauthorized removal and sliding of electronic tags, ensuring safety and reliability while being cost-effective and easy to implement using common materials.
Implementation Method 1
at least one locking layer (7), which can be engaged by contact by at least one portion of the corresponding side (6a, 6b) of the electronic tag (6) and is made of a material that has a friction coefficient, with respect to the electronic tag (6), that is higher than the anchoring profile (2)
Implementation Method 2
The locking layer (7) is engaged by at least one mating tooth (9), which protrudes from the corresponding side (6a, 6b) of the electronic tag (6) and is designed to deform by compression the locking layer (7)
Data Source
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AI summary
A support for electronic tags, which comprises at least one anchoring profile (2), which can be fixed to a supporting structure and has a pair of mutually facing lateral retention wings (4a, 4b) that are mutually joined by a central body (2a) in order to form an accommodation seat (5) for at least one electronic tag (6); the lateral retention wings (4a, 4b) are adapted to fasten the electronic tag (6) on two mutually opposite sides (6a, 6b) thereof. On at least one of the lateral retention wings (4a, 4b) there is at least one locking layer (7), which can be engaged by contact by at least one portion of the corresponding side (6a, 6b) of the electronic tag (6) and is made of a material that has a higher friction coefficient, with respect to the electronic tag (6), than the anchoring profile (2), in order to contrast the possibility of the electronic tag (6) to slide along the anchoring profile (2).