Flexible Penetration Screen with Isolatable Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security enclosures for valuable contents, such as ATMs, are bulky, heavy, and expensive due to the need for custom-made plastic mats with electrode arrays, leading to high re-tooling costs and inventory requirements.
Innovation Solution
A flexible planar penetration screen with electrically isolatable circuits on both sides of a substrate, allowing sections to be deactivated or cut without causing fault conditions, enabling the creation of various shapes and reducing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If custom-made plastic mats with electrode arrays are used for each enclosure design, then penetration detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to re-tooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single standardized penetration screen that can be used across multiple enclosure designs. The screen features a substrate with conductive patterns that can be configured in different ways to detect various penetration methods (drilling, cutting, thermal attacks), eliminating the need for custom-made mats for each enclosure design while maintaining detection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the penetration screen into functional zones: a substrate layer, conductive pattern layers arranged in specific geometries (such as interdigitated electrodes or radial patterns), and insulating layers. This segmented structure allows the same screen design to be adapted to different enclosure shapes and sizes while maintaining effective penetration detection across all zones
2Measurement precision
If custom-made plastic mats are used for each enclosure design, then penetration detection precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to re-tooling and inventory management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the conductive patterns on the substrate in optimized geometries that are proven to detect various penetration methods effectively. These pre-designed patterns (such as interdigitated electrodes or radial configurations) are ready to use immediately, eliminating the time required for custom design and tooling setup for each new enclosure while maintaining high detection precision
3Reliability
If heavy robust security enclosures are used, then security protection is improved, but weight and bulk increase making them difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible shells and thin films by using a thin substrate with deposited conductive patterns instead of bulky rigid structures. The substrate can be a flexible plastic or composite material that provides sufficient mechanical protection while maintaining low weight, and the conductive patterns are formed as thin films on the substrate surface, eliminating the need for heavy robust enclosures while maintaining security protection through penetration detection
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
Enables the production of lightweight, cost-effective security containers that can detect penetration attempts and trigger alarms without the need for custom tooling, improving security and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
When such a mat is damaged by the action of, for example, a drill or thermal lance, a signal is generated to trip the anti-theft countermeasures, for example, an alarm or dye dispersion system. The alarm signal may be generated by the detection of an open circuit in either of the two electrodes, a short circuit between the electrodes, or a combination of both.
Data Source
AI summary
A penetration screen is disclosed which comprises a substantially planar substrate with, at least, one electrical circuit disposed thereon. The electrical circuit is configured such that, at least, one section of the circuit is electrically isolatable from the remainder of the circuit without causing a fault condition in said remainder of the circuit.