Retail Display Puck for Hand-Held Electronics Power and Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Retail displays for hand-held electronics face challenges in providing both power and security functionalities without the need for complex multi-conductor retractors, which are prone to wear and tear and voltage fluctuations, and struggle to adapt to devices with different power requirements.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a wireless security functionality and a mechanical reel with a steel cable, eliminating the need for multi-conductor retractors by using a puck with its own electronics board to detect security breaches and transmit signals wirelessly, while providing power through a single-source power signal that can be adjusted via an adaptor cable to match the requirements of different hand-held devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multi-conductor retractors are used to provide both power and security signals, then power and security functionalities can be provided, but the system becomes prone to wear and tear, voltage fluctuations, and cannot adapt to devices with different power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the system into two separate components: a mechanical retractor providing physical security and tethering, and a separate power delivery system using spring-loaded contacts. This segmentation eliminates the wear and reliability issues of multi-conductor retractors while maintaining both security and power functionality independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The puck assembly serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical tethering through the retractor, electrical power through spring contacts, and security monitoring through the breakaway mechanism. This universal design allows the same assembly to adapt to different hand-held devices without requiring device-specific cable configurations.
2Ease of operation
If continuous cable connections are used for power and security, then reliable power delivery is achieved, but wear and tear increases and device swapping becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static cable connections to dynamic spring-loaded contacts that automatically engage and disengage. This allows the puck to be easily lifted and moved for device swapping while the springs maintain reliable electrical contact during normal operation, extending the service life of the connection mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical retractor cable system with an electrical spring contact system for power delivery. This substitution eliminates the wear associated with repeated cable plugging and unplugging, as the spring contacts maintain continuous contact without mechanical stress.
3Strength
If mechanical retractors with steel cable are used, then physical security is enhanced, but power delivery capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two previously separate systems into a single integrated puck assembly: the mechanical steel cable retractor for security and the spring-loaded electrical contacts for power delivery. This combination allows both physical security and power delivery to coexist in the same mounting mechanism without interfering with each other.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention disclosed here is a display system for managing power and security for a plurality of hand-held electronic devices sold to consumers in a retail location. The display includes features that allow power to be supplied to individual devices without hard wiring or multi-conductor retractor cables. The display also allows for individual security alarms to be triggered when a theft occurs. Security alarm conditions are triggered via wireless signals.