Portable Tether Lock With Plug-and-Latch Backup Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable lock apparatuses, such as ring locks, face challenges in ensuring that transportation devices remain secured when the lock mechanism is defeated.
Innovation Solution
A security apparatus comprising a tether, a head, and a body with a plug and latch mechanism that allows the latch to move between latching and unlatching positions, providing a secondary security stage that prevents theft even if the primary lock mechanism is compromised.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single lock mechanism is used to secure the transportation device, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of security protection deteriorates when the lock mechanism is defeated
Solution Approach 1:
The security system is divided into two independent segments: a primary lock mechanism and a secondary tether-based locking system. The primary lock handles normal locking operations, while the secondary system activates only when the primary lock is defeated, providing layered security without requiring both systems to be complex simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether and body component are pre-configured as a backup security system that is ready to activate immediately upon detection of primary lock failure. The latch mechanism is pre-positioned to engage with the body component, ensuring automatic secondary security activation without requiring additional user action after the primary lock fails.
2Reliability
If a secondary locking system with latch and actuator is added, then the reliability of security protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tether acts as an intermediary element connecting the head (with latch and actuator) to the body component. This intermediary design allows the secondary locking system to be distributed across separate components rather than integrated into a single complex unit, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary locking system is designed to activate automatically through the latch mechanism that engages with the body component when the primary lock fails. The system serves itself by using the failure condition of the primary lock to trigger the secondary lock without requiring external intervention or complex control logic.
3Ease of operation
If the latch prevents separation of head and body only in latching position, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of security protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed with dynamic behavior where its engagement state changes based on the operational context. In normal operation, the latch engages with the body component to prevent separation. When the primary lock fails, the latch automatically transitions to an disengaged state, allowing the head to separate from the body while maintaining security through the tether's continuous connection.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary security apparatus generally includes a tether, a head, and a body. The head is secured to the tether, and generally includes a plug including a latch and an actuator at least selectively operable to move the latch from a latching position to an unlatching position. The body is secured to the tether, and includes a port operable to receive the plug. With the plug received in the port, the latch prevents separation of the head and the body when the latch is in the latching position, and does not prevent separation of the head and the body when the latch is in the unlatching position.