Electric Door Lock Current Pulsing for Low-Heat Coil Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric door lock systems consume excessive energy and require large installations due to the use of constant voltage sources, leading to inefficiencies and potential coil failures from heat buildup, especially in low-resistance coils, and lack a reliable battery backup solution.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a current pulse generator and switched mode current source with load-dependent output, including a current pulse generator circuit and a constant current source, to control the electric door lock, minimizing energy consumption and enabling a rechargeable battery backup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If constant voltage sources are used to power electric door locks, then the door lock can operate reliably, but excessive energy is consumed and heat buildup occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic pulsed current action instead of continuous constant voltage. The controller delivers short duration current pulses (typically 5-20 milliseconds) to activate the door lock mechanism, then stops current flow while maintaining the locked state. This periodic activation dramatically reduces energy consumption and heat generation while ensuring reliable operation during the brief activation window when the lock mechanism needs to engage or disengage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical parameters from continuous constant voltage to pulsed current with controlled amplitude and duration. By adjusting pulse width, amplitude, and duty cycle, the system optimizes energy delivery to match the actual operational requirements of the door lock mechanism, providing sufficient power during activation while minimizing overall energy consumption and thermal effects.
2Force
If high current is applied to low-resistance coils to generate sufficient magnetic field, then the door lock achieves higher retention force, but excessive heat is generated and coil life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses brief high-current pulses to generate the necessary magnetic field strength for reliable lock engagement, then immediately reduces or stops current flow. This allows the coil to achieve high retention force during the pulse duration without sustaining continuous high current that would cause excessive heat buildup and reduce coil lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains the locked state without requiring continuous high current by using the mechanical latching action. Once the pulsed magnetic field engages the lock mechanism, the mechanical components maintain the secure state indefinitely with minimal or no power consumption, eliminating the need for continuous high current and its associated thermal problems.
3Reliability
If larger power supplies are used to ensure sufficient power delivery, then the door lock operates reliably, but the installation size increases
Solution Approach 1:
By delivering power in brief pulses rather than continuously, the peak power requirement is short-lived and the average power consumption is dramatically reduced. This allows the use of smaller power supply units that can handle the brief peak demands without requiring large continuous power capacity, thereby reducing installation size while maintaining reliable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts power delivery to match the actual needs of the door lock mechanism by using controllable pulse width modulation and current regulation. This dynamic approach allows the power supply to be sized for average rather than peak continuous requirements, enabling compact installation while ensuring sufficient power is available when needed.
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
Reduces energy consumption, extends the life of the door lock system by preventing heat buildup, allows for a compact installation, and provides a reliable battery backup, ensuring operation during power outages.
Implementation Method 1
when voltage/current is applied to it, an electromagnetic field is generated by the electric current passing through it
Implementation Method 2
This electromagnetic field makes possible the movement of an internal cam, which is attracted or repelled by this field, thus allowing the transformation of electrical energy into mechanical energy
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system and method to control an electric door lock based on a current pulse generator and a switched mode current source with load-dependent output which allows to reduce the size of the installation and the energy needed for the opening/closing of the door and offers the possibility of implementing a rechargeable battery as back up. To do so, the system and method generates 2 sequential current signals after receiving a trigger, wherein one of the signals is a current peak signal with short time duration and the other one a lower but longer in time current signal.