Composite Rivet Seal Assembly for RoHS-Compliant Tamper Evidence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing methods for meters, such as lead seals, are not compliant with RoHS directives and can be affected by environmental influences and time, while soft material seals provide inadequate tamper protection.
Innovation Solution
A tamper-proof locking mechanism using a tubular rivet with a plastic-like material embedded within, which is easily assembled by hand and features embossing for tamper detection, combining the strength of a rivet with the ease of soft material seals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lead seals are used for meter sealing, then tamper protection is provided, but RoHS compliance is violated and environmental harm is caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition of the seal from lead-based to a composite material system consisting of a rigid rivet body with embedded plastic-like material. This parameter change in material composition maintains the mechanical strength and tamper protection properties while eliminating the harmful lead substance, achieving RoHS compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite material structure where a rigid rivet body is combined with embedded plastic-like material. This composite approach provides the strength and durability of rigid materials while incorporating the tamper-evident properties of softer materials, replacing harmful lead seals with a compliant alternative.
2Ease of operation
If soft material seals are used, then ease of assembly is improved, but tamper protection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines rigid and soft material properties in a single composite seal structure. The rigid rivet body provides structural strength and tamper protection, while the embedded plastic-like material allows for easy manual assembly and deformation. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating both desirable properties into one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal structure exhibits local quality differentiation where different regions have different material properties. The rivet body maintains rigid characteristics for strength and security, while the embedded plastic-like material provides localized softness for ease of assembly and tamper evidence. This spatial differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between ease of assembly and tamper protection.
3Device complexity
If traditional seals are used, then simplicity is maintained, but environmental compliance and tamper evidence are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the material parameters of the seal to include embedded plastic-like material within a rigid rivet body. This parameter change enables the seal to provide tamper evidence through visible deformation of the soft material, while maintaining a relatively simple single-component rivet structure that is easy to install and inspect.
Data Source
AI summary
A tamper proof locking mechanism incorporating a first fixture for attachment to an index protective cover, a second fixture for attachment to an instrument, and a third fixture for connecting the first fixture to the second fixture. The first fixture may have a receptacle, the second fixture may have a plate with an opening, and the third fixture may have a protrusive structure that fits into the receptacle of the first fixture and into the opening in the plate to connect the first fixture to the second fixture. The protrusive structure may have a rivet that is partially embedded with a plastic-like material that reveals tampering when an attempt is made to break a connection between the first fixture and the second fixture.