Battery Compartment Lock With Universal Mechanical-Electronic Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bicycle manufacturers face limitations in flexibility and cost-effectiveness due to the need for different frame designs to accommodate mechanical and electronic battery compartment locks, making retrofitting difficult and increasing production complexity.

Innovation Solution

A battery compartment lock designed with a universal interface that can be configured as either mechanical or electronic, ensuring identical arrangement of actuating elements and fastening means, allowing for interchangeable installation on a single frame design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If different frame designs are provided for mechanical and electronic battery compartment locks, then the lock can be effectively secured to the frame, but the production complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure lockingVSAvoidframe design variety
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single frame structure with a universal interface that can accommodate both mechanical and electronic battery compartment locks. The interface includes a through-opening and fastening elements that work with both lock types, eliminating the need for different frame designs while maintaining secure locking functionality for both mechanical and electronic configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate frame designs are used for mechanical and electronic locks, then each lock type can be optimized, but retrofitting becomes difficult and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelock type compatibilityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate both mechanical and electronic battery compartment locks. The interface includes a through-opening positioned relative to fastening elements that works with both lock types, enabling a single frame design to support multiple lock configurations and facilitating easier production and retrofitting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the actuating element and fastening means are arranged differently in mechanical and electronic configurations, then each configuration can be optimized, but the interface becomes non-universal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation convenienceVSAvoidinterface universality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the actuating element and fastening means in a specific asymmetric arrangement that is identical for both mechanical and electronic configurations. The actuating element is arranged at a specific distance from the fastening means, creating a universal interface pattern that enables both lock types to be mounted in the same manner while maintaining their respective operational advantages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP4592168A1Battery compartment lock for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 ABUS AUGUST BREMICKER SOEHNE KG
  • EP4592168A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4592168A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4592168A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The invention relates to a battery compartment lock for a vehicle with at least one fastening means by which the battery compartment lock can be fastened to a fastening element of the vehicle provided for this purpose, a latch for locking a battery accommodated in a battery compartment of the vehicle, and a manually operable actuating element coupled or coupleable to the latch, by means of which the latch can be moved from a position locking the battery into a position releasing the battery.