Cabinet Lock With Inductive Electronic Key
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Retailers face challenges in securing merchandise display cabinets as existing lock mechanisms require the sales associate to hold the lock separately, leading to potential loss or theft and increased customer distraction, and existing programmable electronic keys do not provide secure communication and power transfer for unlocking the cabinet.
Innovation Solution
A programmable electronic key with inductive transfer capability that communicates a security code with the cabinet lock and transfers electrical power to keep the lock attached to the cabinet, allowing for secure unlocking and locking without removing it from the lock arm, using an electrically passive cabinet lock that relies on external power for operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional mechanical key and lock mechanism are used, then the lock can be easily operated manually, but the lock must be completely separated from the lock arm requiring the sales associate to hold it separately which increases the risk of loss or theft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lock mechanism with the lock arm by providing a lock arm extension that integrates the lock body, allowing the lock to remain attached to the cabinet while still being operable. This eliminates the need for the sales associate to hold the lock separately, reducing the risk of loss or theft while maintaining ease of manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lock arm extension as an intermediary component that connects the lock mechanism to the cabinet structure. This extension allows the lock to maintain its functional separation from the cabinet body while being physically attached, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and security reliability.
2Ease of operation
If the cabinet lock is separated from the lock arm for operation, then the lock can be accessed easily, but the lock may become lost or stolen while the sales associate's attention is focused on the potential sale
Solution Approach 1:
The lock arm extension merges the lock with the cabinet structure, allowing the lock to remain in a fixed position on the cabinet while still being accessible for operation. This eliminates the need to remove or separate the lock during transactions, ensuring it remains accounted for while maintaining ease of access.
3Reliability
If the cabinet lock remains attached to the cabinet, then the lock cannot be lost or stolen, but the lock mechanism must be completely separated from the lock arm which complicates the structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lock system into distinct components: a lock mechanism body, a lock arm extension, and a cabinet mounting structure. This segmentation allows the lock to remain attached to the cabinet while maintaining a simplified structure where each component has a specific function, reducing overall complexity despite the attachment requirement.
4Reliability
If a programmable electronic key is used, then secure communication and power transfer can be achieved, but the key and lock must be completely separated which requires the sales associate to hold the key separately increasing distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electronic key functionality with the attached lock mechanism, allowing the lock to remain on the cabinet while still enabling secure communication and power transfer. This eliminates the need for the sales associate to hold the key separately, reducing customer distraction while maintaining secure electronic operation.
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
This solution ensures the cabinet lock remains attached during use, reducing theft risks and minimizing customer distraction by allowing secure, efficient access to merchandise while maintaining accountability for locking the cabinet.
Implementation Method 1
the key transfers electrical power to the cabinet lock via inductive transfer
Data Source
AI summary
A cabinet lock for protecting merchandise within a merchandise display cabinet having an inner door and an outer door. The cabinet lock includes a strike plate affixed to the inner door and a lock housing affixed to the outer door such that the cabinet is in a locked configuration that prevents access to the merchandise when the lock housing is operably engaged to the strike plate. A programmable electronic key communicates a security code with the cabinet lock and transfers electrical power to the cabinet lock to operate a lock mechanism between the locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. An indicator is provided for indicating whether the cabinet lock is in the locked configuration or the unlocked configuration. The indicator includes a first segment and a second segment that can be energized to visually indicate the status of the cabinet lock.