Bidirectional Overrunning Clutch for Non-Interfering Electronic Door Locks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In smart home applications, conventional mechanical and electronic door locks often interfere with each other when used together, leading to undesirable interactions between mechanical and electronic lock driving systems.
Innovation Solution
A bi-directional overrunning clutch mechanism is introduced, comprising a rotatable shaft, an inner wheel, an outer wheel, and a magnetic overrunning clutch mechanism, allowing independent operation of mechanical and electronic lock driving systems by engaging and disengaging the wheels based on torque direction, ensuring harmonious operation without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional mechanical and electronic door locks are combined, then both locking systems can be integrated in a single door lock, but the mechanical lock driving system and electronic lock driving system interfere with each other during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The door lock system is segmented into two independent driving systems: a mechanical lock driving system with a first driving mechanism and an electronic lock driving system with a second driving mechanism. Each system has its own dedicated drive train that operates independently through a common output member, eliminating interference between the two systems while maintaining integration in a single door lock assembly
Solution Approach 2:
A common output member serves as an intermediary element that receives driving forces from both the mechanical driving mechanism and the electronic driving mechanism. This intermediary component allows both systems to operate independently while achieving their respective locking functions through a shared output interface, preventing direct interference between the two driving systems
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a bi-directional overrunning clutch is used to allow independent operation of mechanical and electronic driving systems, then interference between systems is eliminated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The overrunning clutch mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the direction of rotational torque applied to the common output member. When the mechanical driving system operates, the clutch automatically disengages the electronic driving system, and vice versa, without requiring external control signals or complex control logic. This self-regulating behavior eliminates system interference while keeping the control system simple
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The bi-directional overrunning clutch enables seamless operation of mechanical and electronic door locks, allowing the inner wheel to rotate independently of the outer wheel based on torque direction, thus preventing interference and ensuring smooth operation of both systems.
Implementation Method 1
an overrunning clutch mechanism comprising a magnetic face plate, a magnetic pin attached magnetically and moveable on the magnetic face plate
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a bi-directional overrunning clutch, electronic door locks having bi-directional overrunning clutches, and methods of using the same. In certain embodiments, the electronic door lock includes a first locking mechanism for driving an inner wheel through a first torque to rotate a rotatable shaft to operate a locking device on a door by a user from outside, a second locking mechanism for driving inner wheel through the first torque to operate the locking device from an inside, a third locking mechanism for driving an outer wheel rotatable coaxially around the rotatable shaft through a second torque to operate the locking device electronically, and the bi-directional overrunning clutch. When outer wheel rotates at second torque, inner wheel and rotatable shaft rotate along with outer wheel, and when inner wheel rotates at first torque, outer wheel does not rotate along with inner wheel and rotatable shaft.