USB Dongle Locking Structure for Anti-Tamper Stable Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing USB dongle connections for cellular communication in computers are prone to damage, disassembly, and tampering due to external forces, posing a significant issue in educational and industrial settings where secure, uninterrupted connectivity is essential, especially in environments like schools and ruggedized industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of secure, anti-disassembly, and anti-tamper hardware structures that integrate USB dongles with protective enclosures and circuitry, providing a L-shaped connector and split interfaces for secure mounting on computers, ensuring undisrupted wireless connections and meeting ruggedization standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If USB dongle is manually inserted or pulled out to connect or disconnect external device, then connection can be established or removed, but connection is subject to damage, loosening, and tamper caused by vibration, shock, drop, and external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure segments the USB dongle system into multiple components: an enclosure housing, a secure mounting mechanism with locking features, and the USB interface assembly. This segmentation allows the connection interface to be firmly fixed to the computer while maintaining ease of plug-and-play operation, resolving the contradiction between manual operation ease and connection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The secure mounting mechanism with locking features performs preliminary action by pre-establishing a firm, locked connection between the USB dongle enclosure and the computer. This preliminary securing action prevents vibration, shock, and external forces from causing loosening or damage, while still allowing intentional connection and disconnection when needed.
2Reliability
If integrated cellular modem is built into all computers, then cellular connectivity is secured, but cost increases and existing WiFi computers cannot be upgraded
Solution Approach 1:
The cellular modem functionality is extracted from the computer system and placed into a separate, externally attachable USB dongle enclosure. This extraction allows existing WiFi computers to gain cellular connectivity without requiring expensive integrated modem installation, maintaining cost-effectiveness and compatibility while ensuring reliable cellular connection through the secure mounting mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The USB dongle enclosure with secure mounting mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides cellular connectivity, ensures stable connection through anti-vibration mounting, prevents tampering with locked interfaces, and maintains compatibility with existing computers. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between reliable connectivity and cost/compatibility constraints.
3Reliability
If USB dongle connection is made secure with anti-disassembly structure, then tamper and disassembly are prevented, but connection may be harder to establish or remove when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The protective structure applies local quality by implementing different characteristics at different locations: the mounting interface uses locking features and secure attachment mechanisms for anti-tamper protection, while the USB plug interface maintains standard plug-and-play characteristics for easy connection and disconnection. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between security and operational ease.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and multiple hardware structures to provide secure, anti-disassembly, anti-tamper and uninterrupted network connection between laptop computer and wireless networks. An anti-disassembly structure may include a locking arm having a rear end fixed to a side of a plug, and a front end having an outwardly biased latch projection. When the plug is inserted into a socket, the locking arm inserts into a corresponding slot on a side of the socket. A front end of the locking arm may be bent inward, and the latch projection may extend into a lock hole on the side of the slot to complete the locking. Additional protective and tamper resistant features may be included, such as anti-assembly screws, waterproofing, and protective enclosures with shock resistance.