Door Lock Power Control for Low-Standby and Staggered Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power control systems for electric lock mechanisms, such as solenoids, are inefficient due to high power consumption during standby modes and require significant current peaks during simultaneous actuation, lacking the ability to adapt to different actuator profiles and stagger power output effectively.
Innovation Solution
A power control system utilizing a microcontroller with a look-up table to optimize duty ratios and stagger power delivery to actuators, incorporating a sleep mode and sequential activation to reduce peak currents and improve efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power is continuously supplied to the solenoid to maintain the locked state, then the lock mechanism remains reliable, but power consumption is high during standby modes
Solution Approach 1:
The power control system implements periodic action by supplying power to the solenoid in pulsed intervals rather than continuously. The microcontroller monitors the lock state and delivers power only when needed to maintain engagement, allowing the solenoid to enter low-power states during stable locked conditions while ensuring immediate power restoration if disengagement is detected
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the microcontroller continuously monitors solenoid current levels and lock engagement status. Based on this feedback, the controller dynamically adjusts power delivery, reducing or eliminating power supply when the lock is firmly engaged and increasing power when engagement is detected or threatened, thereby maintaining reliability while minimizing standby consumption
2Reliability
If power is supplied to multiple lock mechanisms simultaneously, then all locks are secured, but peak current demands become excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The power control system segments the power delivery to multiple solenoids by controlling each lock mechanism independently through separate control channels. The microcontroller manages each solenoid's power supply separately, allowing staggered activation and individual optimization of power delivery timing and duration for each lock, thereby reducing cumulative peak current demands while maintaining security across all locked points
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements preliminary action by pre-coordinating the power delivery schedule for multiple solenoids. Before actuating all locks simultaneously, the microcontroller sequences the power delivery to engage solenoids in a predetermined order, allowing the power supply to recover between activations and reducing the peak current burden on the electrical system while ensuring all locks are ultimately secured
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
Achieves significant energy savings, up to 97% in idle modes and 40% compared to current systems, by optimizing power usage based on actuator types and reducing simultaneous current demands.
Implementation Method 1
Solenoids are often used as the driver to actuate many types of electromechanical devices, such as for example electromechanical door latches or strikes
Data Source
AI summary
A power control system for use with an electric lock mechanism including an actuator having a coil with a particular coil impedance. The power control system comprises a power supply configured to provide an output voltage having a drive current to the actuator, a credential device powered by the power supply and configured to signal the power supply to provide the output voltage upon receiving an authorized access code, an actuator driver including a multiple-gain current-sensing circuit, and a microcontroller configured to monitor and control the power supply, credential device, actuator driver, and actuator, and determine the impedance of the coil. The microcontroller is populated by a look-up table having performance data for a plurality of coils such that the microcontroller selects a duty ratio to establish the optimum magnitude of drive current to the coil based only on the determined impedance of the coil.