ATM Security Assembly with Perimeter Barrier Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security assemblies for ATMs and safes are vulnerable to breach through the rear doors, allowing access to all cash cassettes, and previous solutions like locking bars are susceptible to being cut open or used as weapons.

Innovation Solution

A security assembly with barrier members extending around the periphery of doors to prevent access through gaps, supported by the frame and doors, and a laminated structure with different materials to deter cutting, along with a mechanism to lock the barrier members in place and move them into a locked condition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional locking bars are used to protect cash cassettes, then individual cassette access is limited, but the assembly remains vulnerable to being cut open through gaps between locking bars

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of cash cassettesVSAvoidvulnerability to cutting attacks
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The security assembly is divided into multiple independent doors, each protecting a specific cash cassette compartment. Each door can be independently locked and breached without compromising access to other compartments, thereby segmenting the vulnerability and limiting attacker access to only the targeted section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Barrier members are added that extend around substantially the whole length of the periphery of each door, creating a three-dimensional protective structure. This adds vertical and lateral dimensions to the protection, preventing cutting attacks from the front, sides, or top of the door assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If locking bars are made completely removable for ease of operation, then access is simplified, but attackers can potentially use the locking bars as weapons against security staff

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to cash cassettesVSAvoidlocking bars used as weapons
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The potentially harmful locking bars are extracted and replaced with fixed barrier members that are an integral part of the door structure. The barrier members cannot be removed or detached, eliminating the risk they being used as weapons while maintaining their security function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Engaging members are introduced as intermediary components that receive and secure the barrier members in a locked condition. These engaging members provide a secure interface between the barrier members and door structure, allowing controlled access without requiring complete removal of protective elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If barrier members extend around the whole periphery of doors to prevent access through gaps, then security is improved, but the complexity of the assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of access through gapsVSAvoidstructure of security assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier members and engaging members are merged into a unified locking system where the barrier members form an integral part of the door assembly. The engaging members on adjacent doors or frame work together with the barrier members to create a cohesive security structure that reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier members serve multiple functions: they prevent access through gaps between doors and frame, provide structural reinforcement to the door assembly, and work with engaging members to enable locking. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Strength

If doors are made moveable when loosened to prevent wedging tools, then resistance to attack is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to tool attacksVSAvoiddoor movement mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The door assembly incorporates dynamic characteristics where doors can move relative to each other when force is applied during an attack. This movement capability is built into the hinge and barrier member mechanisms, allowing the structure to adapt to attack forces while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The movement mechanism is merged with the existing hinge and barrier member structures. The barrier members are designed to slide within engaging members, and the hinge assembly incorporates features that allow controlled movement when force is applied, eliminating the need for separate complex movement mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2152994B1Security assembly and method of controlling a security assembly
Publication Date: 2018.02.14 CEDARDELL
  • EP2152994B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2152994B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP2152994B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A security assembly comprising a frame member (12) and a plurality of doors (14) is mountable inside the housing (4) of an ATM or safe etc. Each door (14) can be opened and closed independently of the other doors. Referring to Figures 4 and 5, each door (14) is attached to the frame member (12) by a hinge (16). A barrier member (18), which acts to lock the door (14), is mounted to the door (14) by two pivoting brackets (20). When in the locked condition, the barrier members (18) extend substantially along the whole length of the edge of the door to prevent access through the boundaries between the doors and the frame. A barrier member actuator in the form of a plurality of independently moveable locking blades (22) is slidably mounted to the frame (12), the locking blades (22) being actuated by drive means (not shown).