Door Lock Power via Inductive Strike Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic door locks often run out of power, leading to users being inadvertently locked out of buildings, as they require constant battery electricity and lack a reliable means to maintain power supply.
Innovation Solution
A door lock system that receives electricity from a transformer coupled to a doorbell chime, using near field energy transmission and induction to transmit power from a strike plate assembly to a face plate assembly, ensuring continuous power supply even when the lock is mounted on a swinging door.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic door locks use battery power, then the lock can operate independently, but the lock will eventually run out of power and lock users out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the door lock adaptable to different power sources. The lock can dynamically switch between battery power and harvested electrical power from the building's wiring system, allowing it to adapt its power supply method based on availability and needs, thereby ensuring continuous operation without being limited by battery capacity alone
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing the door lock to accept multiple power sources. The lock can function with either battery power or harvested electrical power from the building's existing electrical infrastructure, making the power supply system versatile and eliminating the single point of failure associated with battery-only operation
2Ease of operation
If the lock is mounted on a swinging door, then access is convenient, but maintaining power supply becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a strike plate assembly with a power receiver as the mediator between the building's electrical system and the door lock. This intermediary component captures electrical energy from the building's wiring through the strike plate and transfers it to the lock, enabling continuous power supply even when the lock is mounted on a moving door where direct wiring is impractical
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a fixed wiring approach to a wireless energy transfer approach. Instead of running wires through the moving door, the system uses electromagnetic induction to transfer power across the air gap between the strike plate and the lock face plate, adding a spatial dimension to the power delivery mechanism that accommodates door movement
3Reliability
If power is transmitted through the door structure, then continuous power is available, but the transmission distance increases signal loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using alternating current (AC) electrical signals to transmit power wirelessly through electromagnetic induction. The periodic nature of AC power allows for efficient energy transfer through the door structure's electrical pathways, minimizing energy loss compared to continuous or direct current transmission over the same distance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/wired power transmission system with an electromagnetic field-based system. Instead of physically running wires through the door structure, the system uses electromagnetic induction to transfer power wirelessly from the strike plate to the lock face plate, eliminating the energy losses associated with long wire runs and connection points
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 system prevents users from being locked out of buildings by maintaining a consistent power supply to the door lock, allowing for remote operation and enhanced security features like camera, microphone, and communication capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The lock can be configured to receive electricity from a transformer that is electrically coupled to a doorbell chime
Implementation Method 2
using near field energy transmission and induction to transmit power from a strike plate assembly to a face plate assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A door lock system can comprise a door lock movable between a locked state and an unlocked state. The door lock system can detect a first indication suggestive of a presence of a visitor. The door lock system can also detect a second indication suggestive of an identity of the visitor. As well, the door lock can validate that the first indication and the second indication are associated with a first identity.