Safety Lock Transponder Reduction Zone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current safety locks lack sufficient security measures to prevent unauthorized opening and copying, with existing designs being difficult to manufacture and expensive to produce, especially when incorporating RFID transponders for authentication and tracking.
Innovation Solution
A safety lock design featuring a base member with a reduced mechanical strength zone under the RFID IC and antenna coupling elements, connected to a first arresting means, which intermeshes with a second arresting means on the shackle, ensuring that force applied to open the lock is transmitted to the reduction zone, causing the lock to break rather than allowing unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a strong locking mechanism is used to prevent unauthorized opening, then security is improved, but the lock becomes difficult to manufacture and expensive to produce
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into two separate components: a metal shackle providing structural strength and a plastic base member containing the RFID transponder and locking logic. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the metal shackle for strength and the plastic base member for cost-effective manufacturing with integrated electronic components.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID transponder is integrated into the plastic base member, combining authentication functionality with the locking mechanism structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate authentication devices and reduces overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining security.
2Reliability
If sophisticated markings and details are added to metal and plastic parts to prevent copying, then security is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID transponder provides localized authentication capability at the core of the lock mechanism. Instead of complicating the entire structure with sophisticated markings, the security function is concentrated in the electronic identification system embedded in the base member, simplifying overall manufacturing while maintaining anti-copying protection.
3Reliability
If an RFID transponder with IC and antenna is integrated into the lock, then authentication capability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex and expensive to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic base member serves multiple functions: it provides the housing for the RFID transponder, contains the locking mechanism interface, and integrates the arresting means. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall structure despite the added electronic functionality.
4Reliability
If the antenna is made larger to improve RFID identification range, then authentication range is improved, but the lock size and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna design is optimized by adjusting its electrical parameters (such as operating frequency and impedance matching) rather than simply increasing its physical size. This allows adequate RFID identification range to be achieved within the compact constraints of the lock housing, avoiding excessive size and manufacturing complexity.
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
This design enhances the security of safety locks by ensuring that attempting to open the lock results in irreversible damage to the RFID transponder, making it more difficult to copy or tamper with, while also simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs through a modular insert and housing configuration.
Implementation Method 1
The antenna, which is used to collect energy from reader field
Data Source
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AI summary
A safety lock (100) comprising a transponder (1) and a shackle (2). The transponder (1) comprises an inlay (10) including an IC (13) and antenna coupling elements (14). The inlay (10) is arranged in a base member (8). The safety lock (100) further comprises a housing (6), wherein the base member (8) comprises a reduction zone (9) the mechanical strength of which is reduced compared to portions of the base member (8) next to said reduction zone (9). The reduction zone (9) is arranged under the IC (13) and/or the antenna coupling elements (14) of the inlay (10). The force striving the shackle (2) from the locked state to the open state is arranged to being transmitted to the reduction zone (9).