Door Lock Escutcheon Lighting for Dark Keyway Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical door latching and locking mechanisms are difficult to manipulate in the dark, leading to inconvenience and excessive exterior illumination from conventional entry door lighting arrangements, causing distraction and higher power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A door latching and locking assembly with an integrated lighting arrangement that includes a motion sensor and ambient light sensor to activate lighting elements when motion is detected and ambient light is below a threshold, utilizing a power source such as batteries or photovoltaic cells for illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional entry door lighting arrangements are used to provide illumination for door latch manipulation, then the illumination for key manipulation is improved, but excessive exterior illumination is generated causing distraction and light pollution
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting arrangement directs illumination locally to the key cylinder area only, using targeted light sources positioned to illuminate the keyway and surrounding area. This localized illumination approach provides sufficient light for key manipulation while preventing excessive light from spreading to the exterior environment, thereby resolving the contradiction between providing necessary illumination and avoiding light pollution.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when motion is detected near the door or when ambient light levels fall below a threshold. This periodic operation ensures illumination is provided exactly when needed for key manipulation while minimizing overall light output to the environment, thus reducing distraction and light pollution.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional entry door lighting arrangements are used to provide illumination for door latch manipulation, then the illumination for key manipulation is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting arrangement uses motion sensors and ambient light sensors to activate illumination only when needed - specifically when motion is detected near the door or when it is dark. This on-demand periodic operation dramatically reduces power consumption compared to continuous lighting, while still providing adequate illumination for key manipulation when users actually need it.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system incorporates automatic sensing capabilities through motion sensors and ambient light sensors that detect user presence and environmental conditions. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual light control, automatically providing illumination when users approach or when darkness requires it, thereby optimizing power consumption based on actual usage needs.
3Reliability
If mechanical door latching and locking mechanisms are used, then the latching and locking functionality is provided, but difficulty in manipulation in the dark occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting arrangement activates in advance when motion is detected near the door or when ambient light levels indicate darkness. This preliminary illumination prepares the environment before the user attempts to manipulate the key cylinder, ensuring that the mechanical latching and locking components are visible and easy to operate from the moment the user approaches, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable functionality and improving ease of operation in dark conditions.
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
Provides targeted illumination for key manipulation, reducing user inconvenience and power consumption while minimizing light pollution and distraction.
Implementation Method 1
a motion sensor mounted to the escutcheon plate
Implementation Method 2
an ambient light sensor mounted to the escutcheon plate
Implementation Method 3
at least one lighting element mounted to the escutcheon plate and configured to illuminate at least a portion of the key cylinder
Implementation Method 4
a power source mounted to the escutcheon plate
Data Source
AI summary
A door latching and locking assembly includes an escutcheon plate configured to be mounted to a door, a door handle mounted to the escutcheon plate, a key cylinder mounted to the escutcheon plate, and a lighting arrangement. The lighting arrangement includes a controller in circuit communication with at least one lighting element, a power source, a motion sensor, and an ambient light sensor each carried by the escutcheon plate. The controller is configured to supply power from the power source to the at least one lighting element in response to at least one of an indication from the motion sensor of motion in proximity with the door latching and locking assembly and an indication from the ambient light sensor of ambient light below a predetermined threshold.