Multi-Hook Window Panel Locking for Claw Machine Theft Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lock devices for claw machines fail to provide secure locking of transparent window panels, allowing prizes to be stolen and requiring a key for operation, which can lead to inconvenience and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A lock device with a lock unit and engaging unit, featuring a lock cylinder, actuating plate, extension plate, guide plate, and hooks, that allows secure locking and unlocking of the window panel without a key, using a rotating mechanism to engage and disengage with engagement slots in the main housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lock device with a key is used to lock the transparent window panel to the housing, then the window panel can be locked, but the key may remain with the window panel causing inconvenience and safety uncertainty
Solution Approach 1:
The key is extracted from the locking mechanism. The lock cylinder is designed to retain the key inside during rotation, automatically extracting the key from the user's hand and holding it within the housing structure. This eliminates the problem of keys being left with the window panel while maintaining the locking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock device performs self-service by automatically retaining the key within its structure. The lock cylinder's internal design causes the key to be caught and held inside after insertion and rotation, without requiring separate key retention mechanisms or user actions to secure the key.
2Reliability
If a conventional lock device is used, then the window panel can be locked, but the locking is not firm allowing prizes to be stolen through edges
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is segmented into multiple independent hooks distributed across the window panel. Instead of relying on a single locking point, multiple hooks engage with corresponding slots at different locations, providing distributed security that prevents prize theft through edges while maintaining overall locking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a single-point lock to a multi-point distributed locking system. The hooks are arranged in multiple dimensions across the window panel surface, engaging with slots at various positions to create comprehensive coverage that prevents exploitation of single-point weaknesses.
3Reliability
If multiple hooks are used to lock the window panel securely, then locking reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple hooks are merged into a single integrated engaging unit that moves as one component. The hooks are connected to a common extension plate and guided by a shared guide plate, allowing them to move simultaneously during locking and unlocking operations. This reduces the number of independent parts while maintaining multi-point locking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging unit serves multiple functions: it provides multi-point locking through multiple hooks, guides the locking motion through the guide plate, and enables simultaneous movement of all hooks through the extension plate. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each hook, simplifying the overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A lock device includes a lock seat, a lock cylinder, an actuating plate, an extension plate, a guide plate, and hooks. The lock seat is fixed to a window panel. The lock cylinder is connected to the lock seat. The actuating plate extends from the lock cylinder. The extension plate is connected to the window panel. The guide plate extends from the extension plate over the actuating plate. The hooks are connected to the extension plate and engageable with engagement slots of a main housing. Each hook has an inclined guide surface. When the lock cylinder rotates, the actuating plate moves the guide plate and the hooks so that the hooks are disengaged from the engagement slots to unlock the window panel. The inclined guide surface is slidable to the main housing to move the extension plate when the window panel is to be locked.