Terminal Docking Lock Mechanism for Secure Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing commodity sales data processing apparatuses with portable data processing terminals and docking stations face issues with the terminals being easily detachable, leading to potential drops and damage, as well as the need for secure locking mechanisms to prevent unauthorized removal.
Innovation Solution
A commodity sales data processing apparatus featuring a connection mechanism that securely connects and disconnects the data processing terminal from the docking station using hooks and engagement holes, and a lock mechanism that locks the connection with a cylinder lock, requiring a specific key operation to unlock, ensuring the terminal cannot be carelessly dropped or removed without authorization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the data processing terminal is made separable from the docking station, then the terminal can be easily removed and carried, but the terminal may be accidentally dropped or unauthorizedly removed
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism is divided into separate components: hooks on the docking station and engagement holes on the terminal. This segmentation allows the terminal to be easily inserted and removed while maintaining secure connection during use. The modular design enables both ease of operation and connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection mechanism transitions between two states: locked (when hooks engage with engagement holes) and unlocked (when a key is inserted). This dynamic state change allows the system to provide both secure attachment during operation and easy removal when needed, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If a lock mechanism is added to secure the terminal, then unauthorized removal is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A key is introduced as an intermediary element to control the locking mechanism. The key interacts with the cylinder lock to change the connection state between locked and unlocked. This simple intermediary provides secure locking without requiring complex electronic systems or multiple components, thus maintaining low device complexity while achieving high connection security.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a commodity sales data processing apparatus includes a portable data processing terminal with a first connector and a touch panel. A docking station has a second connector which connects to the first connector and performs transmission and/or reception of information between the data processing terminal and the docking station, when the data processing terminal is connected to the docking station. A connection mechanism connects the data processing terminal and the docking station in a separable state. A lock mechanism locks connection by the connection mechanism, so as to make the connection by the connection mechanism from in the separable state to in an inseparable state, and releases locking of the connection by the connection mechanism when a specific key operation is performed.