Garment Security Tag Pin Lock Weight Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security tags for garments in self-checkout systems face challenges in minimizing power consumption and preventing damage to the garment while ensuring effective anti-theft measures, particularly for thin or delicate items.
Innovation Solution
A security tag design featuring a pin lock mechanism with a handle that can be manually locked and unlocked, using a mechanical pin lock and handle lock system, which reduces power consumption and distributes the weight of the tag across multiple parts to minimize damage, and can be wirelessly controlled using a Bluetooth chip for secure unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a thin pin is used to penetrate the garment article, then the hole in the garment article is minimized, but the pressure on the garment article may damage the garment article due to the weight of the security tag
Solution Approach 1:
The security tag is divided into multiple parts (first tag part, second tag part, third tag part) that sandwich the garment article. This segmentation distributes the weight-bearing function across multiple contact surfaces rather than concentrating it on the thin pin, resolving the contradiction between minimizing hole size and preventing pressure damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and third tag parts act as intermediary elements between the second tag part and the garment article. These intermediaries provide additional contact surfaces that distribute the weight of the security tag, preventing direct pressure concentration on the garment at the pin penetration point.
2Extent of automation
If an electronic lock is used to control the pin lock, then the security tag can be wirelessly controlled, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic lock is designed to operate periodically rather than continuously - it only consumes power when receiving a wireless signal and executing the locking/unlocking action. This periodic operation mode significantly reduces overall power consumption while maintaining wireless control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the electronic lock by using low-power wireless communication protocols and optimizing the lock mechanism to require minimal actuation energy. This allows wireless control functionality while keeping power consumption within acceptable limits for battery-operated security tags.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a manual handle lock system is used, then power consumption is reduced, but the ease of operation increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The handle lock system is designed to be self-contained and mechanically self-operating. The handle directly engages with the pin lock mechanism through pure mechanical interaction, requiring no external power source or complex control systems. This self-service approach reduces power consumption while keeping the operation straightforward through intuitive mechanical feedback.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A security tag for a garment article for anti-theft purpose. The security tag has a first tag part, and a second tag part for sandwiching the garment article between the first tag part and the second tag part. The first tag part comprises three locks including a pin lock for locking a pin of the second tag part to the first tag, and an electronic lock, which in turns locks the pin lock. The pin lock may be formed as a spring clip.