Adjustable Electromechanical Lock Cylinder for Varying Door Thickness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electromechanical locks face challenges in easy replacement of conventional cylinder mechanisms, require complex mounting processes, and are not adaptable to varying door thicknesses, leading to potential security issues and inefficiencies in maintenance.

Innovation Solution

An electromechanical lock design featuring a rotary knob with adjustable length, a motor integrated within the rotary knob, and an adjustment mechanism allowing disassembly and reassembly for precise fitting to existing lock cylinders, enabling easy mounting and adjustment to accommodate different door thicknesses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electromechanical locks are mounted to replace conventional cylinder mechanisms, then security and access control functionality are improved, but mounting complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity functionalityVSAvoidmounting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The electromechanical lock is divided into separate modular components: the lock body, the cylinder mechanism, and the control unit. This segmentation allows each component to be independently installed and adjusted, significantly reducing mounting time and complexity while maintaining security functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the cylinder mechanism as a separate replaceable component that can be removed and installed independently from the main lock body. This extraction allows for quick replacement of conventional cylinders with electromechanical ones without requiring complete disassembly of the entire locking system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If electromechanical locks have fixed cylinder sizes and shapes, then manufacturing and inventory management are simplified, but adaptability to different door configurations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to door thickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lock cylinder incorporates adjustable components that can be dynamically repositioned along the cylinder axis. The closing element and control knob positions are made variable through threaded adjustment mechanisms, allowing the same lock model to adapt to different door thicknesses without requiring multiple fixed-size variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the fixed geometric parameters of the cylinder by introducing adjustable elements. The distance between the control knob and closing element can be modified by rotating adjustment members that move these components along the cylinder axis, thereby adapting the lock to various door configurations while maintaining a single standardized cylinder design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If electromechanical locks require precise fitting to door thickness, then locking reliability is improved, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock cylinder incorporates self-adjusting mechanisms with clear indication systems that allow installers to achieve proper fitting without requiring complex measurement tools or specialized skills. The adjustment members feature visible reference marks that guide the installer to the correct position, making the system self-explanatory and reducing installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces intermediary adjustment members that serve as mediators between the fixed lock body and the variable door thickness. These adjustment members provide a simple interface for modification, allowing precise fitting through basic rotational adjustments rather than complex mechanical modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of repair

If conventional locks are completely uninstalled for maintenance, then repair capability is improved, but security vulnerabilities increase during the process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance capabilityVSAvoidsecurity during maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lock system is segmented into a permanent fixed lock body and a removable cylinder assembly. During maintenance, only the cylinder assembly needs to be removed, while the lock body remains installed and functional. This segmentation allows maintenance work to proceed without completely uninstalling the lock, maintaining security during the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows the cylinder to be pre-removed and replaced without affecting the core locking mechanism in the lock body. This preliminary action capability enables maintenance personnel to service or replace cylinders independently, avoiding the need to fully disassemble the locking system and maintain security throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3109383B1Adjustable electromechanical lock
Publication Date: 2019.01.30 DESI ALARM VE GUVENLIK SISTEMLERI SAN VE TIC AS
  • EP3109383B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3109383B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4b
  • EP3109383B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An electromechanical lock (10) comprises a rotary knob (11), a motor (24) built-in in the rotary knob (11) for locking and unlocking by way of rotation of a main shaft (25), preferably a remote control unit (49) for authenticating authorized users prior to granting permission and communicating such information to a driver circuitry (26) which is in communication with said motor (24), said electromechanical lock (10) further comprising a lock cylinder (12) adjoined to rotary knob (11) through an adaptor portion (27), having a first and second half-housings (50, 51) divided by a notch in which a rotatably arranged pawl (19) is driven. Said electromechanical lock (10) further comprises a locking pin slot (17, 57), arranged on the lock cylinder (12), into which a locking pin (14, 53) can be driven; an adjustment member slot (16, 56) intersecting with the locking pin slot (17, 57); said adjustment member slot (16, 56) arranged on the lock cylinder (12), into which an adjustment member (13, 58) can be inserted for blocking movement of the locking pin (14, 53) such that longitudinal length of the rotary knob (11) is arranged.