Cable Lock and Seal Device Curved Passageway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable lock and seal devices face issues with shear and fraying of cables due to excessive force, lack of effective teeth design to engage both individual and collective strands, and vulnerability to picking attacks, especially when used in heavy-duty applications.
Innovation Solution
A cable lock and seal device with a locking wheel mechanism that includes a rib to limit the locking wheel's entry and a curved passageway to prevent picking, combined with a teeth configuration that engages the cable's longitudinal surface profile, and an optional polymeric sheath for embedding tracking means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking wheel is allowed to engage heavily against the cable to prevent withdrawal, then the cable becomes securely locked, but the cable strands are sheared or frayed due to excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the passageway from a straight configuration to a curved configuration with specific radius and angle parameters. This parameter change allows the locking wheel to engage the cable at an angle, distributing the locking force across multiple cable strands simultaneously, thereby preventing any single strand from bearing excessive shear stress that would cause fraying or shearing.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved passageway acts as an intermediary element between the locking wheel and the cable. Instead of the locking wheel directly engaging the cable in a straight line (which concentrates force), the curved passageway mediates the engagement by redirecting the force vector, allowing the locking wheel to apply clamping force while the cable bends slightly to accommodate the curve, distributing stress more evenly across the cable structure.
2Reliability
If the passageway is made to marginally fit the cable to prevent picking attacks, then picking resistance is improved, but the cable cannot be smoothly inserted or the locking wheel cannot properly engage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the passageway geometry, creating a curved path rather than a straight marginal-fit channel. This curvature provides lateral clearance that allows the cable to be smoothly inserted while still maintaining picking resistance, as the curved geometry prevents straight-line pick attacks from reaching the locking mechanism while accommodating the cable's natural bending during insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from a one-dimensional straight passageway problem to a two-dimensional curved path solution. By adding the dimensional aspect of curvature with specific radius and angle parameters, the design provides clearance in the lateral dimension that facilitates smooth cable insertion while maintaining security in the longitudinal dimension against picking attacks.
3Manufacturing precision
If the teeth on the locking wheel are designed to engage individual cable strands, then engagement precision is improved, but the collective bundle of braided strands cannot be effectively locked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the locking wheel teeth with multi-functionality to serve dual purposes: individual strand engagement and collective bundle locking. The teeth are configured with specific geometric parameters that allow them to simultaneously engage individual cable strands for precise positioning while also engaging the collective bundle structure for secure locking, making the same tooth design universally effective for both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The teeth on the locking wheel are designed with varying local qualities - different tooth geometries or configurations at different locations on the wheel perimeter. This allows certain teeth to optimize for individual strand engagement while others optimize for bundle engagement, with the curved passageway ensuring that during operation, both types of engagement occur simultaneously at different points along the cable structure.
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 effectively limits shear on the cable, enhances locking security by preventing picking, and provides a robust engagement mechanism that adapts to various cable profiles, ensuring secure locking and tamper resistance in heavy-duty applications.
Implementation Method 1
a slot for retaining a first end of a biasing means which second end is disposed to urge a locking wheel up the ramp against said passage
Implementation Method 2
Withdrawing the cable, however, would result in the frictional engagement of locking wheel being pushed up the ramp into the passageway, thus locking and preventing the cable from being withdrawn
Data Source
AI summary
A cable lock and seal device comprising a body (10) and a cover (20) with which complementarily forms a block enclosing there within a passage (30) and a chamber (50). The body (10) is integral with a base (12) in which one end of a cable (14) may be secured. The other free end of the cable (14) may be inserted into the passage (30) which is preferably curved and traverses the assembled body-and-cover block. The chamber (50) is adapted with a ramp (52) rising towards the passage (30), a slot (54) for retaining a spring (56) which second end is disposed to urge a locking wheel (53) up the ramp (52) against said passage (30). The urging of the locking wheel (53) by the biasing means (56 or 58) up the ramp (52) is restrained when the locking wheel's axle (55) engages a rib (51) on the chamber wall to limit the wheel (53)'s further entry into the passage (30) upon sufficiently engaging said cable (14) and preventing its withdrawal by reversing its insertion.