Mechanical Combination Lock with Electronic Key Override
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical combination locks for lockers and similar storage devices require labor-intensive processes for key management and resetting combinations, especially when transitioning from one school year to another, and lack efficient electronic key override solutions without battery power.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical combination lock with an electronic key override that does not require battery power, designed for versatility and ease of use, featuring a lock assembly with rotatable dials that can be scrambled upon opening for enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical combination lock is used for lockers, then security is provided, but the process for resetting combinations and managing keys becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical combination resetting process with an electronic key override system. The electronic key, when inserted, automatically overrides the mechanical combination mechanism and allows the administrator to reset combinations electronically, eliminating the manual mechanical resetting process and significantly reducing the time required for combination management while maintaining security through the electronic authentication layer
2Ease of operation
If a mechanical key override is included in the combination lock, then administrators can open locks when combinations are forgotten, but the lock requires labor-intensive removal, rekeying, and reinstallation of key cylinders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical key cylinder system with an electronic key override mechanism. The electronic key inserts into an electronic interface rather than a mechanical cylinder, and the override function is achieved through electronic authentication and actuation of a release mechanism. This eliminates the need for physical rekeying and reinstallation of key cylinders, reducing labor while maintaining the administrative override capability
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic key override system is designed to be universally applicable without requiring custom mechanical key cylinders for each lock. The electronic interface and override mechanism can be standardized across multiple locks, allowing administrators to use the same electronic key system across different locations and eliminating the need for individualized mechanical rekeying processes
3Reliability
If mechanical combination locks are used in schools, then student lockers can be secured, but administrators must manually rekey all locks at the end of each school year
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical rekeying process with an electronic override system that allows administrators to remotely or efficiently reset combinations across multiple lockers. The electronic key activates an override mechanism that can reset combinations without physical rekeying, dramatically improving the productivity of the annual locker reset process while maintaining security through controlled electronic authentication
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic key override system is pre-configured with administrative authority, allowing administrators to perform combination resets without the time-consuming process of physical rekeying. The system is designed in advance to support efficient batch resetting operations, enabling administrators to quickly secure all lockers at the end of each school year without manual intervention in each individual lock mechanism
4Ease of operation
If an electronic key override is added to a mechanical combination lock, then key management becomes more efficient, but the lock structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lock system into distinct functional modules: the original mechanical combination mechanism remains intact, and the electronic key override is added as a separate, independent module. The electronic key interface, authentication mechanism, and override actuation are divided into discrete components that can be added without disrupting the existing mechanical structure, managing complexity through modular design while providing efficient key management
Data Source
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AI summary
A combination lock can be operated manually via the manipulation of rotatable dials and by way of a key, such as an electronic key. The lock includes one or more rotatable dials each having multiple indicia disposed thereon. Rotation of the rotatable dials to predetermined indicia places the lock in the unlocked position. The lock can further include an electronic port and an actuator. Upon receipt of a predetermined credential via the port, the actuator can place the lock in in the unlocked position. The lock further includes a knob that, when the lock is in the unlocked position, can be rotated between a first position in which the lock is in a latched position and a second position in which the lock is in an unlatched position. The combination lock may automatically scramble the positions of the dials upon opening for security purposes.