Portable Beach Safe with Sand Anchor and Wireless Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Beach environments pose challenges for securing valuables due to loose sand and the risk of theft, as small objects can easily be lost or stolen, especially in busy areas where vigilance is low.
Innovation Solution
A portable safe with a removal-resistant edge or anchor for securing into sand, combined with a settable tamper-detecting alarm and wireless locking and alerting system, including a computer hardware and software control system with proximity sensors and a waterproof fob, to prevent theft and remind users of the safe's location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a portable safe is inserted into sand for security, then theft prevention is improved, but removal difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safe incorporates removable anchors that can be detached and reattached. The anchors feature a dynamic design where they can be easily removed by authorized users (who have keys or access codes) but resist removal by unauthorized forces. This allows the safe to transition between secured and removable states, resolving the contradiction between theft prevention and ease of retrieval.
Solution Approach 2:
The safe has different properties at different locations: the body of the safe is streamlined for insertion, while specific anchors or edges are designed with removal-resisting features. This local differentiation allows the safe to be securely anchored against theft while still permitting authorized removal, addressing both the security and operational ease requirements.
2Ease of operation
If a streamlined shape is used for easy insertion into sand, then ease of operation is improved, but removal resistance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The safe is divided into functional segments: a streamlined body for easy insertion and removal, and separate anchor mechanisms that provide removal resistance. The anchors can be independently deployed or engaged, allowing the streamlined shape to maintain its insertion advantages while the anchors provide the necessary security against unauthorized removal.
3Reliability
If valuables are placed in a secured compartment, then theft prevention is improved, but access difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safe employs wireless locking and unlocking mechanisms (such as electronic locks, biometric authentication, or remote-controlled locks) instead of traditional mechanical key locks. This substitution maintains strong security against theft while allowing authorized users to access valuables conveniently through wireless authentication methods, eliminating the need for physical key manipulation.
4Reliability
If a tamper-detecting alarm is added, then theft prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper-detecting alarm functionality is integrated into the existing wireless control system and locking mechanism of the safe. The same sensors, microcontrollers, and communication modules that manage locking/unlocking are also used for tamper detection and alarm functions. This merging approach provides comprehensive security without significantly increasing overall device complexity, as multiple functions share common hardware and software resources.
Data Source
AI summary
New techniques for safeguarding valuables in a recreational, public setting are provided. In some aspects of the invention, a specialized portable safe is configured for insertion and securing into sand or other loose ground particles, with at least one removal-resisting edge or anchor. The edge or anchor may be shaped to facilitate insertion into the ground, but resists removal until switched for release by an authorized user. In further aspects, the invention comprises a tamper-detecting alarm. In other aspects, a compartment access door permits the placement and removal of valuables from a compartment of the safe, even when the safe is installed in the ground. In still other aspects of the invention, new wireless locking, unlocking and alerting techniques are provided. In some embodiments, computer hardware and tracking tags and beacons are provided, and trigger locking, unlocking and location alerts to aid a user in locating the safe.