Door Lock Power via Doorbell Induction
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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 receive power when batteries drain.
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 the lock, ensuring continuous operation even when batteries are depleted, and allowing wireless communication with remote computing devices for control and security features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If electronic door locks use battery power, then the lock can operate independently and portably, but the lock will eventually run out of power and lock users out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the doorbell system and door lock system into a single integrated unit. The doorbell receives power from building wiring, and this power is shared with the door lock through a common power circuit. When the doorbell is pressed, it temporarily powers the lock to unlock the door. This merging eliminates the need for separate battery power in the lock while maintaining portability and independent operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The doorbell system serves multiple functions: it acts as a doorbell button, a power source for the door lock, and an unlock mechanism. By making the doorbell multi-functional, the system eliminates the need for dedicated battery power in the lock, as the doorbell's power circuit can temporarily supply the lock with necessary energy when needed.
2Reliability
If the door lock is mounted on a swinging door, then the lock provides secure access control, but transmitting electricity to the lock becomes difficult due to door movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a flexible printed circuit board as an intermediary power transmission element. This flexible circuit board connects the power source to the door lock mechanism while accommodating the door's swinging motion. The flexibility of the circuit board allows it to bend and flex with door movement without breaking electrical connections, thus simplifying the overall power transmission system while maintaining secure access control.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the door lock requires constant battery power, then the lock can maintain continuous operation, but the system becomes vulnerable to power depletion and lockout
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the doorbell to serve the door lock's power needs on-demand. Instead of requiring the lock to maintain continuous battery power, the doorbell's power circuit temporarily supplies energy to the lock when the doorbell is pressed and during brief intervals. This self-service approach allows the lock to operate continuously using intermittent power from the doorbell system, eliminating power depletion vulnerability while maintaining continuous operation capability.
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 providing a reliable power source for the door lock, enabling continuous operation and integrating security features like camera, microphone, and communication capabilities through remote control.
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 the lock
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.