Dual-Module Locking Mechanism for Power-Outage Reliability

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fingerprint locks in public places are unreliable due to power outages and lack of special authority access for security inspections, as they require electricity for operation and do not provide alternative unlocking methods.

Innovation Solution

An opening and closing device incorporating both an electrical driving module with a fingerprint identification system and an electroless driving module with a hand-driven mechanism, allowing the displacement restricting part to move freely when the electrical module is locked, ensuring the device can be opened without electricity and providing alternative access through a hand-driven mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a fingerprint lock is used to provide contactless unlocking, then convenience of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates when electricity runs out or fingerprint sensing fails

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontactless unlocking convenienceVSAvoidunlocking reliability during power outage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is divided into two independent modules: an electrical driving module for normal operation and an electroless driving module for emergency operation. Each module can function independently, ensuring that if one module fails, the other can still provide unlocking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electroless driving module is pre-installed and ready to activate immediately when the electrical driving module fails due to power outage or fingerprint sensing failure. This beforehand preparation ensures continuous reliability without requiring external intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If a fingerprint lock is used to eliminate keys and codes, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates for special authority access requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontactless unlocking convenienceVSAvoidspecial authority access capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is divided into two independent modules: an electrical driving module for normal operation and an electroless driving module for emergency operation. Each module can function independently, ensuring that if one module fails, the other can still provide unlocking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The electroless driving module with hand-driven part serves multiple functions: it provides emergency unlocking during power outages, enables special authority access when needed, and acts as a backup when fingerprint sensing fails. This multi-functionality enhances the system's adaptability to various scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Extent of automation

If an electrical driving module is used for locking and unlocking, then automation is improved, but reliability deteriorates when electricity runs out

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical driving capabilityVSAvoidoperation continuity during power outage

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines an electrical driving module and an electroless driving module into a single locking system. The electrical module provides automated locking/unlocking through fingerprint recognition, while the electroless module provides manual backup capability. Both modules share common components such as the displacement restricting part and housing, creating an integrated system that leverages the strengths of both electrical and mechanical actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electroless driving module is pre-installed and ready to activate immediately when the electrical driving module fails due to power outage or fingerprint sensing failure. This beforehand preparation ensures continuous reliability without requiring external intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS12044039B2Opening and closing device

Publication Date: 2024.07.23 SINOX CO LTD

AI summary

An opening and closing device is provided. The opening and closing device includes a housing, a displacement restricting part, an electrical driving module, and an electroless driving module. The displacement restricting part is capable of moving with respect to the housing when the electrical driving module is in an unlocked state. The electrical driving module is capable of restricting the displacement restricting part from moving with respect to the housing when the electrical driving module is in a locked state. The electroless driving module is capable of releasing the electrical driving module's restriction over the moving of the displacement restricting part with respect to the housing via the hand-driven part.