Magnetic Security Tag With Balanced Latch Resists Mechanical Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing security tags with magnetically releasable locks are susceptible to external mechanical forces, such as physical impacts, which can cause the lock to temporarily unlock, allowing unauthorized removal of the tag.
Innovation Solution
A security tag design featuring a latching element with a pivot axis and a bias element that provides a balanced rotational response to external mechanical impulses, minimizing the effect of such forces while allowing efficient magnetic unlocking, using a dual magnetic response mechanism to secure and release the tag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an elongated wedge element with rotational axis at one end is used to maximize magneto-mechanical response, then the magnetic locking mechanism becomes more sensitive to magnetic fields, but the lock becomes susceptible to external mechanical forces that can cause unauthorized unlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The latching element is designed with an asymmetric mass distribution where the center of gravity is positioned away from the pivot axis. This creates an unbalanced rotational response that generates a counteracting moment during external mechanical impacts, preventing the latching element from disengaging the tack while maintaining magnetic field responsiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The unbalanced mass configuration acts as a counterweight mechanism that automatically generates a restoring moment during external impacts. This counter-moment opposes the disruptive rotational force caused by external forces, effectively canceling out the harmful effect and maintaining the locked position
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a stiffer spring is used to counteract external mechanical forces, then the lock becomes more resistant to unauthorized removal, but a stronger and more expensive magnet is required to overcome the greater spring force
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the traditional stiff spring mechanical solution with a mass-balanced rotational system. Instead of increasing spring force to resist external impacts, the system uses the unbalanced mass configuration to generate counteracting moments, thereby maintaining lock resistance without requiring proportionally stronger magnets
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple wedging elements actuated by multiple magnets are used to reduce susceptibility to external forces, then the lock becomes more secure, but the tag requires more precise placement on the detaching magnet arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the resistance to external forces into two independent functional components: a single latching element handles magnetic field responsiveness while the unbalanced mass configuration handles external impact resistance. This segmentation eliminates the need for multiple wedging elements and their associated precise placement requirements
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 design effectively counters external mechanical forces, maintaining the tag's locked position under impact and efficiently unlocking with a magnetic field, enhancing security and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a bias element that provides a bias force to position the latching element in a lock position
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic field is applied to the latching element that causes a magneto-mechanical response from the latching element
Data Source
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AI summary
A security system including a security tag is provided. The security tag includes a housing and a pin in which the pin is removably insertable into the housing. The security tag further includes a latching element disposed within the housing and positionable in a lock position and in an unlock position. The latching element includes a pivot axis. The latching element has a substantially balanced rotational response about the pivot axis when exposed to an external physical mechanical impulse. The security tag further includes a bias element that releasably positions the latching element in the lock position. The latching element releasably engages the inserted pin when in the lock position.