Composite Strand Lock with Rotating Pin and Alarm

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing strand locks, particularly cable locks, face challenges in achieving a balance between resistance, flexibility, and weight, making them cumbersome to transport and operate, while also lacking advanced security features.

Innovation Solution

The use of cut-resistant textile fibers, such as aramid and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, in a braided or woven configuration, combined with a locking mechanism featuring a freewheel and remote-controllable locking pin, and integrated with a UV-impermeable sheathing and optional electrical conductors for alarm systems, addresses the need for improved strand locks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a securing cable composed of metal wires is used, then resistance is maintained, but weight increases and flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveresistanceVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining textile fibers with metallic coatings or foil-type intermediate layers. The core consists of textile fibers (such as aramid or UHMW-PE) providing flexibility and low weight, while metallic coatings or intermediate layers provide cut resistance and strength. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between maintaining resistance and reducing weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If a securing cable composed of metal wires is used, then resistance is maintained, but flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveresistanceVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure with textile fiber core and metallic coatings/intermediate layers provides both flexibility from the textile core and resistance from the metallic components, resolving the contradiction between resistance and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses thin metallic coatings and foil-type intermediate layers that provide protective functions while maintaining the flexibility of the underlying textile fiber structure. These thin films contribute to resistance without significantly compromising flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If remote-controllable locking mechanism is integrated, then security is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical key-based locking systems with remote-controllable electronic locking mechanisms. This substitution enhances security through remote operation and electronic control while simplifying the user interaction, despite adding electronic components. The electronic system integrates with the mechanical locking pin and housing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11649655B2Lock formed by a strand, for securing objects

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 BAUM ALEXANDRA

AI summary

A closure for a strand lock having a securing strand, a locking pin with a latch, and a locking housing defining a receptacle for the locking pin is provided with a rotatable coupling element on the locking pin. Rotation of the coupling element secures the latch in the housing.