Door Lock Damping Clutch Emergency Manual Override
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door lock apparatuses face issues such as internal component damage leading to jamming, misalignment of the deadbolt with the door frame, and motor failure due to continuous operation or battery discharge, which require dismantling and replacement or manual rotation that can cause further damage.
Innovation Solution
A door lock apparatus featuring a damping clutch part and main gear that can be disengaged by a user-operable knob, allowing for emergency rotation of the shaft and preventing excessive load on the motor, even when internal components are damaged or the motor is not operational due to battery discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the motor is continuously operated to move the deadbolt to a locked position, then the deadbolt movement function is maintained, but a load is imposed on the motor when the deadbolt is restricted from movement, leading to motor failure
Solution Approach 1:
A clutch mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the motor and the deadbolt transmission system. This clutch can disengage the motor from the deadbolt movement mechanism when the deadbolt is restricted from moving, preventing excessive load from being transmitted to the motor while still allowing the motor to operate. The clutch acts as a protective mediator that isolates the motor from harmful loading conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch mechanism provides beforehand protection by disengaging the motor from the load before excessive force can damage the motor. When the deadbolt encounters resistance or misalignment, the clutch slips or disengages in advance, cushioning the motor against the harmful load that would otherwise cause failure.
2Ease of operation
If the damping clutch part and main gear are engaged to transmit power from the motor to the shaft, then the deadbolt can be moved to locked or released position, but jamming occurs in the connecting component when internal components are broken, resulting in operation failure
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism serves as an intermediary that can disengage the power transmission path between the motor and the shaft when jamming or component failure occurs. This allows the system to fail safely without complete operation failure, and enables manual intervention to reset or replace damaged components.
Solution Approach 2:
The power transmission system is segmented into separable components: the motor, the clutch mechanism, the main gear, and the shaft. This segmentation allows individual components to be replaced or repaired independently when damaged, improving maintainability and reducing the impact of component failure on overall system operation.
3Extent of automation
If the motor is used to rotate the shaft for deadbolt movement, then automated locking and unlocking is achieved, but the system becomes complex with multiple components that can be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism is a relatively simple intermediary component that adds automated protection and control without significantly increasing overall system complexity. It provides intelligent disengagement functionality using straightforward mechanical or electromagnetic principles, maintaining ease of manufacture while enhancing automation and reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A door lock apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted in a door and moves a deadbolt to a locked position or a released position as a motor is driven. The door lock apparatus may include a main gear rotated by the motor, a damping clutch part engaged and rotated by rotation of the main gear, a shaft which is engaged and rotated by rotation of the damping clutch part and moves the deadbolt as the shaft is rotated, and a knob which is manually operable by a user and is connected to the shaft. An emergency rotation operation of the shaft may be enabled by disengaging the main gear and the damping clutch part through the knob.