Anti-Unplugging Unit for Secure Plug Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions fail to effectively prevent unauthorized access to electronic or communications equipment by preventing the easy removal of plugs from jacks, especially in scenarios where physical access restrictions are inconvenient or impossible.
Innovation Solution
An anti-unplugging unit with a latch member and lock mechanism is attached to the plug, which engages with the jack's catching portion and can be selectively released using a key, preventing unauthorized removal of the plug from the jack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a plug is made easily detachable from a jack, then ease of operation is improved, but security against unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is segmented into two functional parts: a standard connector portion for electrical connection and a separate latch member for security. The latch member can engage with the jack to prevent removal, but this engagement is separate from the electrical connection function, allowing authorized users to insert/remove plugs while preventing unauthorized removal
Solution Approach 2:
The latch member is designed to be dynamically changeable between engaged and disengaged states. It can be moved from a locked position (preventing removal) to an unlocked position (allowing removal) through the lock means, providing conditional security that adapts to authorization status
2Object-affected harmful factors
If physical access to equipment area is restricted, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The security function is extracted from the physical environment (area restrictions, locked rooms) and transferred to the plug-jack connection itself. The latch member and lock means provide security at the connection point, eliminating the need for restricted physical access while maintaining security for authorized users
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the whole equipment is placed in a locked housing, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of applying uniform security (locked housing) to the entire equipment, security is applied locally only at the plug-jack connection points where unauthorized access is most likely to occur. This allows other parts of the equipment to remain accessible for authorized operations like rewiring
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an anti-unplugging unit attached to a plug of a transmission cord and to be put in a jack of electronic or communications equipment with the plug for preventing unauthorized removal of the plug from the jack. The anti-unplugging unit includes a latch member having an engaging portion for engaging a predetermined portion of a jack when the unit with the plug is inserted into the jack, lock means for selectively allowing or preventing release of engagement of the engaging portion with the predetermined portion of the jack, and a housing fixable to the plug and accommodating the latch member and the lock means. The invention also provides a transmission cord including a first cord having plugs at both ends, and the anti-unplugging unit fixed to at least one of the plugs.