Portable Device Slot Anchor With Retractable Wedge Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable electronic device security systems fail to securely attach to a variety of devices and immovable objects due to inconsistent slot shapes and sizes, and lack efficient mechanisms for secure engagement and disengagement.
Innovation Solution
An anchor system with a body, tapered projecting members, and a fastener that allows the anchor to be inserted into a slot, with the tapered members extending to engage the device's surfaces for secure attachment and retracting for easy removal, utilizing a threaded screw to control the position of the projecting members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the anchor uses fixed projecting members to engage the slot surfaces, then the attachment security is improved, but the adaptability to various slot shapes and sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The projecting members are designed to be movable relative to the anchor body, transitioning between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic configuration allows the anchor to adapt to different slot dimensions while maintaining secure engagement when extended, resolving the contradiction between fixed security and variable adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor system changes the positional parameter of the projecting members through the threaded fastener mechanism. By adjusting the extension position of the projecting members, the system achieves both adaptability to different slot sizes and reliable engagement, effectively managing the trade-off between these two requirements
2Reliability
If the anchor uses a complex mechanism to ensure secure engagement, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the ease of operation for engagement and disengagement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The complex multi-component mechanical engagement system is replaced with a simple threaded fastener mechanism. This substitution maintains secure engagement reliability while dramatically simplifying the operation required for engagement and disengagement, allowing users to control the projecting members' position through straightforward rotational motion
3Reliability
If the tapered projecting members are always extended to ensure security, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the ease of removal and reinstallation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The projecting members transition from a static always-extended state to a dynamic system with two distinct states: extended for secure attachment and retracted for easy removal. This dynamic capability allows the system to provide reliable security during use while enabling simple removal and reinstallation when needed, resolving the contradiction between continuous security and operational convenience
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 anchor system provides secure attachment to various portable electronic devices by matching the device's slot shape and allows for easy engagement and disengagement, ensuring the device cannot be removed once locked, thus effectively preventing theft.
Implementation Method 1
the fastener is a threaded screw, and wherein rotation of the threaded screw causes translation of the threaded screw along a longitudinal axis of the body that selectively moves the threaded screw into or out of engagement with the first and second tapered projecting members
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A security apparatus for a portable electronic device having a slot includes a body having an insertable portion configured to be inserted into the slot of the portable electronic device, and a boss extending from the insertable portion and positioned outside of the slot. The boss is configured to attach to a lock head. The security apparatus also includes a wedge supported at least partially within the insertable portion of the body. The wedge is movable relative to the insertable portion between a first position, in which the wedge extends out of the insertable portion and is configured to engage a surface of the portable electronic device that defines the slot, and a second position, in which the wedge is retracted relative to the first position and is configured to disengage the surface of the portable electronic device that defines the slot.