Ceramic Spine Cable Lock Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable locks, such as U-locks and traditional cable locks, provide insufficient protection against theft as they can be vulnerable to tools like bolt cutters, angle grinders, and saws, failing to prevent theft of valuable items like bicycles, motorbikes, and outdoor furniture.

Innovation Solution

A cable lock featuring nested ceramic segments with projections that overlap to form a secure, flexible structure, providing enhanced protection against cutting tools and increasing the difficulty of breaching the lock.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional cable locks are used, then the lock is flexible and easy to use, but the lock can be easily cut by bolt cutters and other tools

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to cutting toolsVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable lock is divided into multiple discrete ceramic segments that are strung together on a flexible cord. Each segment is a separate component with cutting-resistant properties, and the segments are arranged in a sequence that maintains both flexibility and cutting resistance. This segmentation allows the lock to combine the flexibility of a traditional cable with the cutting resistance of ceramic materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cable lock combines ceramic materials with high cutting resistance and flexible cord materials to create a composite structure. The ceramic segments provide the cutting-resistant barrier while the flexible cord provides the necessary flexibility and ease of use. This composite approach allows the lock to simultaneously achieve properties that would be difficult to obtain with a single material.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If ceramic segments are added to provide cutting resistance, then the lock becomes more secure, but the flexibility and ease of storage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against bolt cuttersVSAvoidflexibility for storage
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the cable into separate ceramic segments strung on a flexible cord, the structure maintains flexibility while providing cutting resistance. The segments are discrete components that can flex relative to each other, allowing the cable to be coiled and stored easily while still presenting a cutting-resistant barrier when deployed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible cord that strings the ceramic segments together acts as a flexible element that allows the rigid ceramic segments to move relative to each other. This flexible connection maintains the overall flexibility of the cable lock, enabling easy coiling and storage, while the ceramic segments provide the cutting-resistant barrier when the cable is in use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If nested ceramic segments with overlapping projections are used, then the cutting resistance is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebarrier against cutting toolsVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable lock is divided into multiple discrete ceramic segments that are strung together on a flexible cord. Each segment is a separate component with cutting-resistant properties, and the segments are arranged in a sequence that maintains both flexibility and cutting resistance. This segmentation allows the lock to combine the flexibility of a traditional cable with the cutting resistance of ceramic materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ceramic segments are designed with nested overlapping projections that interlock with adjacent segments. This nesting arrangement creates a layered barrier that enhances cutting resistance, as cutting tools must penetrate through multiple overlapping ceramic surfaces. The nested structure also helps maintain cable flexibility while providing enhanced protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3507434B1Ceramic spine security cable
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 SCHLAGE LOCK CO LLC
  • EP3507434B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3507434B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3507434B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A cable lock including a lock body having a locking mechanism with a locked state and an unlocked state. A ceramic body cable includes a plurality of nested ceramic bodies and a cord, wherein each one of the plurality of ceramic bodies includes a center portion having an aperture. Each aperture of the plurality of nested ceramic bodies forms a channel through which the cord is positioned. Each of the ceramic bodies also includes a projection and a space such that the projection of one of the ceramic bodies overlaps the space of an adjacent ceramic body. A mesh sleeve is positioned on an exterior of the ceramic body cable and a shrunken heat shrinkable tube is positioned over the mesh sleeve. The combined ceramic body cable, mesh sleeve, and shrunken heat shrinkable tube are coupled to the lock body.