Tamper-Evident Locking Device With Frangible Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security seals, particularly barrier seals, are costly and prone to tampering due to their complex structure and flexible components, which can be easily manipulated without leaving visible signs of tampering.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a rigid lock body and hasp, incorporating a disposable, breakable seal that secures the hasp and lock body, featuring a spring-loaded latch and frangible design allowing noticeable breakage, ensuring the seal cannot be removed without breaking and allowing reuse of the lock body and hasp with a new seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible seal with latch barbs is used to allow flexibility for bending without breaking, then the seal can be inserted and secured, but it becomes easy for a thief to pry the seal out and reinsert it leaving little or no visual indication of tamper
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from flexible to rigid/brittle. The seal is made of a rigid material that is brittle enough to break cleanly when attempts are made to remove it, providing visible tamper evidence. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by eliminating the flexibility that allowed tampering while maintaining the ability to be inserted and secured.
2Reliability
If a barrier seal with stronger materials and increased complexity is used to provide visual evidence of tampering, then tamper evidence is improved, but the cost increases due to higher cost materials and increased number of components requiring factory assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable seal that is simple in structure and made from inexpensive rigid material. The seal is designed to be used once and then discarded after providing its tamper-evident function, eliminating the need for expensive materials and complex assembly processes while maintaining reliable tamper evidence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the sealing system into two separate components: a reusable lock body and a disposable seal. This segmentation allows the complex locking mechanism to be manufactured once and reused, while the simple seal is replaced periodically, reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining security and tamper evidence functionality.
3Reliability
If a rigid frangible seal is used to provide visible breakage indication, then tamper evidence is improved, but the seal cannot be easily manipulated or pried out without breaking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates pre-defined frangible or weakened portions in the seal structure before use. These predetermined break points allow the seal to break cleanly and predictably when tampering attempts are made, providing clear visual evidence of tampering while preventing easy removal or manipulation of the seal.
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
The solution provides a cost-effective, tamper-evident security solution that physically and mechanically secures items, with visible indication of tampering, overcoming the limitations of prior art by using a rigid, frangible seal and latch mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating a spring-loaded latch
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A locking device includes a lock body, a hasp and a seal. The lock body includes a hasp locking latch pivotally disposed therein and a seal locking latch pivotally disposed therein. The hasp is disposed at the lock body and movable between an open state, where a free end of the hasp is external the lock body, and a closed state, where the free end of the hasp is within the lock body. The seal, when inserted into the lock body when the hasp is in its closed state, engages the hasp locking latch to pivot the hasp locking latch to engage and lock the hasp in its closed state, and the seal, when inserted into the lock body, engages the seal locking latch to lock the seal within the lock body. The seal includes a frangible portion that is configured to break the seal into first and second portions.