Electronic Locking System for Bicycle Rental Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bicycle rental systems face issues with vandalism, theft, and user inconvenience due to the physical effort required to secure and unsecure bicycles, as well as the vulnerability of locking mechanisms to malicious tampering.
Innovation Solution
An electronic locking system with complementary connecting members, a movable locking member, and electronic control means that automatically secures and releases the lock upon engagement and identification, using an actuator and position detecting mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access and reduce user effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a latch member is used as a lever with an axle as pivot point, then the locking mechanism can engage and disengage the bicycle, but the latch becomes vulnerable to vandalism where malicious persons can tug at the bicycle to bend the latch out of shape or damage the keeper
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical latch-and-axle system with an electronic locking system that uses an actuator (motor-driven mechanism) to secure the connecting members. The electronic lock with movable locking member engages a locking aperture on the male connector, eliminating the vulnerable lever-style latch that could be bent or damaged through physical force.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is divided into separate functional components: the actuator for locking/unlocking, the electronic control means for operation control, and the connecting members for structural engagement. This segmentation allows the critical locking function to be isolated from the connecting members, protecting it from vandalism while maintaining operational ease.
2Device complexity
If manual lifting or manipulation of the bicycle is required to unsecure it from the rental station, then the locking mechanism can be simple, but great physical effort is required from the user which is inconvenient and may lead to injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical manipulation with an electronically controlled actuating system. The actuator automatically moves the locking member between locked and unlocked positions based on signals from the electronic control means, eliminating the need for users to apply physical force to lift or manipulate the bicycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic locking system performs the locking and unlocking operations automatically through the actuator and electronic control means, without requiring user physical effort. The system serves itself by detecting engagement status and autonomously securing or releasing the connecting members.
3Reliability
If the locking mechanism is designed to be robust against vandalism, then security is improved, but the device complexity increases with additional electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control means serves multiple functions: it controls the actuator for locking/unlocking operations, monitors the position detecting means to detect engagement status, and interfaces with the identification reader for authentication. This multi-functionality consolidates security features into a single integrated system rather than adding separate complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary electronic control means that coordinates between the actuator, position detecting means, and identification reader. This intermediary layer manages the complexity by providing a centralized control interface, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining robust security functionality.
4Ease of operation
If position detecting means and identification reader are added to automatically control the locking, then user convenience is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the position detecting means, identification reader, and actuator control into a single integrated electronic control means. This consolidation combines multiple functions (detection, identification, and control) into one unified component, reducing overall system complexity while enabling automatic locking operations based on engagement detection and user identification.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electronic lock for removably securing a movable item to a structure, the electronic lock comprising first and second complementary cooperating connecting members, each being engageable together in a lockable position; and a securing assembly for securing the first and second connecting members together when engaged in the lockable position, the securing assembly comprising a movable locking member operatively associated to the first connecting member, a locking aperture defined in the second connecting member, the locking aperture being adapted for receiving the movable locking member when the connecting members are engaged together in the lockable position; an actuator operatively coupled to the movable locking member for actuating the movable locking member between an unlocked position enabling disengagement of the first and second connecting members and a locked position wherein the movable locking member engages the locking aperture, and electronic control means for controlling selective actuation of the movable locking member.