Disposable RFID Component for Cable Lock Cost Reduction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable locks lack real-time locating and signal sending functions, making it difficult to implement specific functions and usage scenarios effectively, and there is a high cost associated with commercially available products that attempt to incorporate these features.

Innovation Solution

A disposable RFID component for a cable lock is introduced, which consists of a detachable structure such as a T-shaped guide rail or slider, an RFID device, a battery, and a connector, allowing for real-time locating and signal sending while keeping costs low by separating the lock body into disposable and recyclable parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If real-time locating and signal sending functions are added to cable locks, then the functionality and utility of the cable lock are improved, but the production and use cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time locating and signal sending functionVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cable lock is divided into two separate parts: a reusable lock body and a disposable RFID component. The RFID component contains the RFID device, battery, and sealing structure, while the lock body contains the locating component. This segmentation allows the expensive locating component to be reused while only the cheaper RFID component is replaced, resolving the contradiction between adding functionality and controlling costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID component is designed as a disposable, low-cost unit that includes the RFID device, battery, and waterproof sealing. After single use, this entire component is discarded and replaced, while the expensive locating component in the lock body is preserved and reused. This approach enables real-time locating functionality without significantly increasing overall system cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of repair

If the lock body is made detachable with docking structures, then the reusability and cost-effectiveness are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereusability of lock bodyVSAvoiddetachable docking structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The detachable docking structure serves multiple functions: it mechanically connects the RFID component to the lock body, provides electrical connection between the RFID device and locating component, and enables waterproof sealing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maximizing reusability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If the RFID component is designed as disposable, then the overall system cost is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase for the detachable interface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall system costVSAvoiddocking interface precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The docking structure integrates mechanical connection, electrical connection, and waterproof sealing into a single unified interface. The T-shaped guide rail and slider combination merges these functions, allowing the RFID component to be securely attached with proper electrical contact and sealing in one operation, thereby managing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables real-time locating and signal sending functions in cable locks while significantly reducing costs, as the disposable RFID component can be replaced after single use, and the high-cost locating component can be recycled and reused.

Implementation Method 1

a disposable Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) component in the cable lock

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The lock body part is provided with a battery therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentUS12307864B2Disposable RFID component for cable lock

Publication Date: 2025.05.20 SHENZHEN WINS ELECTRONIC TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A disposable RFID component for a cable lock includes an RFID device and a lock body part. The lock body part is a part of a complete lock body of the cable lock. There are following beneficial effects. The traditional integrated lock body is separated into two parts, in which one part is a relatively low-cost RFID component, and the other part is a relatively high-cost locating component. Thereby, the RFID component is disposable after a single use, and a new RFID component can be assembled with a recycled relatively high-cost locating component to form a new cable lock. As such, the locating function can be realized with use cost reduced as much as possible.