Southco helps Gidophone secure mobile charging stations

The interactive stations operate like a hotel safe box which, following the entry of a secret code in the centre of the station, opens a locker where a mobile device - such as a phone, tablet, MP3 player, game console and camera - can be placed to recharge. Roman Lecarpentier, who founded the company in 2009, says: "We had to offer a high-level security solution. A mobile phone, for example, may be a person's most valuable possession where they store their most important information and data.

"Essentially, we had one overriding technical requirement. The lock condition was to remain unchanged and remain in closed or open position, in the event of a power failure. We had to design a model offering both a certain programming reliability and the highest level of security"

Gidophone considered several options, including electromagnets, before opting for Southco's R4 EM electronic rotary latch as the only approach which was appropriate in terms of reliability and security. In addition to providing a simple and safe access system, the Southco latch offered Gidophone an array of important advantages.

The R4-EM push-to-close electronic rotary latch is an intelligent component which integrates electronic access convenience with secure rotary latch performance. The latch's microprocessor control accepts a variety of electronic actuation signals including wireless devices such as proximity cards or RF key fobs, hard-wired numeric keypads or swipe-card terminals, smart-reader devices, biometric devices, and remote computer or network security system signals. Compared with a traditional mechanical latch connected to a separate solenoid actuator, the R4 EM drive gear motor provides more security for the latch actuation. Furthermore, because of its reduced power consumption and increased charging capacity, it is more effective.

Thanks to its compact design (65 × 69 × 19mm), the latch is easy to install: only two screws are required for assembly. A combination of its proven mechanical design and 100 per cent metal construction presents excellent resistance to vandalism, long life-cycle durability and long-term reliability. These are of particular concern when the latches are used in remote applications in public places, such as Gidophone charging stations. The latch is operated with a 12 to 24V DC power supply and the inrush current during actuation is lower than 500mA to 12V DC.

To find out more about the R4-EM push-to-close electronic rotary latch from Southco, please visit their website at www.southco.com/.