Lock Box Shackle Force Sensor Tamper Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lock boxes lack effective mechanisms to detect tampering or breakage attempts, which can compromise the security of the stored property access tools.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of force sensors embedded in or attached to the shackle and mounting location of the lock box, which detect excessive force and generate alerts if tampering or breakage is attempted. These alerts can be transmitted to mobile or home computing devices for notification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If force sensors are embedded in or attached to the shackle and mounting location, then the ability to detect tampering or breakage attempts is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Force sensors are pre-installed in the shackle and mounting location before the lock box is deployed. This preliminary action ensures that the detection capability is built-in from the start, allowing immediate detection of tampering attempts without requiring additional complex assembly or external monitoring systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical tamper detection mechanisms with simpler force sensors that electronically detect applied force. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving detection reliability, as electronic sensors can detect subtle force applications more accurately than mechanical switches or levers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If alert transmission functionality is added to notify users of tampering attempts, then the security monitoring capability is improved, but the use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity monitoring capabilityVSAvoiduse of energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The alert transmission system operates periodically or event-driven rather than continuously. The force sensors and alert transmission components remain in low-power states until a tampering event is detected, at which point alerts are transmitted to notify users. This periodic operation maintains security monitoring capability while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 system effectively detects and alerts users of tampering or breakage attempts on the lock box, enhancing the security and integrity of the stored property access tools.

Implementation Method 1

detecting a magnitude of a force being applied to a shackle of the lock box using a shackle force sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce sensing: Force

Data Source

PatentUS12297688B2Method to detect lock box shackle breakage or attempted breakage and activate alert

Publication Date: 2025.05.13 HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

A method of monitoring a lock box. The method includes detecting a magnitude of a force being applied to a shackle of the lock box using a shackle force sensor; determining whether the magnitude of the force exceeds a selected magnitude, the selected magnitude being a predetermined force that indicates an individual is tampering with the shackle; and generating an alert if the magnitude of the force exceeds the selected magnitude.