Compact Opening Mechanism Reducing Wear via Biometric Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing opening mechanisms suffer from wear and tear, making them unreliable and prone to jamming, and are too large for use on personal items, while also lacking 100% safety against unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A compact opening mechanism featuring a locking element, blocking element, spring element, and actuator element with a motor-driven cam system, allowing for secure and reliable operation with a biometric input device and efficient power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional opening mechanisms with multiple movable elements are used, then the locking function is achieved, but wear and tear occurs leading to reliability deterioration and jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential locking function from complex multi-element mechanisms, using only three critical elements (locking element, blocking element, spring element) to achieve the same security function with minimal components, thereby eliminating wear from unnecessary moving parts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional complex mechanical opening mechanisms with a biometric authentication system (fingerprint sensor, microcontroller) that electronically controls a simple motor-driven blocking mechanism, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic control
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional opening mechanisms with multiple elements are used, then the locking function is achieved, but the device size becomes large preventing use on personal items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential components needed for locking functionality, eliminating extraneous elements, resulting in a compact mechanism small enough to be integrated into personal items like laptops and diaries
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the locking mechanism with the device housing or frame, integrating the locking element and blocking element into existing structural components, thereby minimizing additional volume required
3Reliability
If traditional opening mechanisms are used, then basic locking function is provided, but unauthorized opening cannot be prevented with 100% safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical key-based or code-based locking systems with biometric fingerprint authentication, providing 100% security against unauthorized access since fingerprints are unique to each individual and cannot be easily replicated or shared
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a fingerprint template stored in memory as a digital copy of the user's biometric data, allowing for rapid comparison and authentication without physical contact with the original fingerprint after initial enrollment
4Productivity
If frequent activation of traditional opening mechanisms occurs, then opening function is provided, but parts get stuck and jammed making operation unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the opening mechanism to its simplest form with minimal moving parts (only the blocking element needs to move), eliminating the possibility of parts getting stuck or jammed even with frequent activation
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element automatically returns the blocking element to its locked position after activation, providing self-service operation that requires no manual intervention and maintains reliability through thousands of activation cycles
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 mechanism provides high safety against unauthorized access and is compact enough for use on personal items, ensuring reliable operation with reduced wear and tear, and efficient power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (32) acting along the locking element axis in such a manner that it releases the locking element (38) from the locking position
Implementation Method 2
The actuating element (26) is driven by the motor, actuated by activating the motor
Implementation Method 3
The actuating element comprises at least one cam with which it can attack the blocking element. The cam engages into the hook-shaped part of the blocking element and moves it out from the closed position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to an opening mechanism comprising a locking element (38) movably arranged along a locking element axis; a blocking element (12) movably arranged along a blocking element axis, attacking in a locking position with a first end (16) at the locking element (38), whereby the locking element (38) is blocked in its freedom of movement, and which is hook-shaped at its second end (14); a spring element (32) acting along the locking element axis, and an actuating element (26) which is so configured that it can transfer the blocking element (12) by attacking at the hook-shaped second end (14) from a closed position into an open position, whereby the blocking element (12) releases the locking element (38). Thereby an opening mechanism is provided which works wear-free and reliable.