Bolt Identity Validation in Electronic Lock Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic lock systems can be tampered with by inserting a loose locking bolt or item into the striking plate, leading the system to incorrectly assume the door or window is locked when it is not.
Innovation Solution
The lock assembly incorporates a striking plate assembly with a first and second communication module, where the second module powers the first, and only considers the bolt secured when its identity is validated through wireless communication, using a sensor to detect the bolt's presence and status, preventing tampering by ensuring only valid bolts are recognized.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor detects the presence of a locking bolt to determine lock status, then the system can monitor whether the door is locked, but the system becomes vulnerable to tampering by inserting a loose bolt or item into the aperture
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a communication module in the bolt to provide feedback about its identity and status to the striking plate. The striking plate receives and verifies this information, creating a feedback loop that ensures only authenticated bolts can indicate a locked state, preventing false positives from tampered items
Solution Approach 2:
A communication module acts as an intermediary between the bolt and the striking plate sensor system. This intermediary transmits authenticated identity information and power signals, ensuring that only verified bolts can interact with the detection system and prevent unauthorized items from triggering false lock status readings
2Reliability
If wireless communication modules are added to bolts and striking plates for identity verification, then security against tampering is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The communication module serves multiple functions: it provides identity authentication, transmits status information, and enables wireless power transfer. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional component, the system achieves high security without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The communication module in the bolt automatically performs identity verification and establishes communication with the striking plate without requiring manual configuration or complex setup procedures, reducing system complexity while maintaining security
3Ease of operation
If power is transmitted wirelessly to power the communication module in the bolt, then the bolt can operate autonomously without batteries, but energy loss increases during wireless power transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless power transfer operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when the bolt needs to communicate its identity or status. This periodic operation reduces cumulative energy loss while maintaining the bolt's autonomous operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes communication and power transfer connections in advance before authentication is needed, allowing the bolt to remain in a low-power state until communication is initiated, thereby reducing overall energy consumption and loss
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
This solution significantly reduces the risk of attackers tricking the system into thinking the lock is secured when it is not, by ensuring only valid bolts are recognized, thus enhancing security and reliability of electronic lock systems.
Implementation Method 1
wherein wireless signals from one of the first and second communication modules powers the other
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
It is provided a lock assembly (1) comprising: a striking plate assembly (10) comprising an aperture (12a, 12b); a first communication module (20a); and a bolt (13,14) being displaceable to enable movement through the at least one aperture (12a, 12b) of the striking plate assembly (10), the bolt (13,14) comprising a second communication module (20b); wherein the first communication module (20a) is configured to receive an identity of the bolt (13, 14) by communicating with the second communication module (20b) and wherein wireless signals from one of the first and second communication modules (20a, 20b) powers the other.