Dual Power Electronic Mechanical Lock with Segmented Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electronic locks are unreliable when the control circuit or mechanical parts fail, as they cannot be unlocked, leading to security vulnerabilities.
Innovation Solution
A dual power electronic mechanical lock design that controls the rotation of main and auxiliary motors through an electronic control circuit, allowing the auxiliary motor to unlock the lock via an auxiliary mechanism, and includes a mechanical emergency unlock mechanism using a key to shift the slider and unlock the latch when electronic components fail.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electronic lock uses a single power source and control circuit, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability decreases when the control circuit or mechanical parts fail
Solution Approach 1:
The lock system is segmented into two independent power sources (main power source and auxiliary power source) with separate control circuits. The main power source drives the main motor for normal operation, while the auxiliary power source drives the auxiliary motor for emergency operation. This segmentation ensures that failure of one power source or control circuit does not prevent the other from functioning, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity by distributing critical functions across separate subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary power source and auxiliary motor are installed as a backup system before any failure occurs. The auxiliary motor is mechanically connected to the lock latch through the auxiliary mechanism, ready to take over if the main power source or control circuit fails. This prior cushioning approach ensures that the lock can still be unlocked even when the primary system fails, resolving the reliability concern without requiring complex real-time switching mechanisms.
2Reliability
If an electronic lock relies solely on electronic control, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability decreases when electronic components fail
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into an electronic control circuit for normal operation and a mechanical key mechanism for emergency operation. The electronic control circuit provides convenient keyless entry through cards, codes, or biometrics, while the mechanical key mechanism serves as a backup when electronic components fail. This segmentation allows the system to maintain ease of operation under normal conditions while ensuring operational reliability through the mechanical backup.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock system is designed with multi-functionality to handle both electronic and mechanical operation modes. The lock body and latch mechanism are designed to accommodate both the motor-driven electronic unlocking and the key-driven mechanical unlocking. This universal design ensures that the same physical lock can be operated through multiple methods, resolving the contradiction between ease of electronic operation and reliability through mechanical backup.
3Ease of operation
If a lock uses only mechanical unlocking mechanism, then the reliability is maintained when electronic parts fail, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking mechanism is segmented into an electronic unlocking path (motor-driven) and a mechanical unlocking path (key-driven). The electronic control circuit controls the main motor to rotate the lock latch for convenient electronic unlocking. Simultaneously, the mechanical key mechanism is designed to directly drive the lock latch through the blade group and bracket when electronic systems fail. This dual-path segmentation allows the system to provide ease of operation through electronic means while maintaining reliability through the independent mechanical path.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the lock has a single unlocking mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability decreases when different failure scenarios occur
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking mechanism is segmented into distinct electronic and mechanical subsystems, each capable of independently unlocking the lock. The electronic subsystem includes the main motor and control circuit, while the mechanical subsystem includes the key, blade group, and bracket. This segmentation provides adaptability to different failure scenarios (electronic failure, mechanical failure, power failure) without requiring a completely different lock design, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock system is designed with multi-functionality to handle various failure scenarios. The same lock body and latch mechanism can be operated through electronic means under normal conditions and through mechanical means when electronic components fail. The auxiliary motor and auxiliary mechanism provide an additional layer of adaptability for power failure scenarios. This universal design approach increases adaptability to different failure modes while keeping the overall structure integrated rather than requiring multiple separate locks.
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
Ensures the lock can be unlocked through both electronic and mechanical means, providing enhanced security and reliability by enabling operation even when primary power sources fail.
Implementation Method 1
the cam will be deflected to restrict the slider from moving at the torsion of the torsional spring installed on the cam
Implementation Method 2
the torsional spring installed on the cam
Implementation Method 3
The vertically D-shape cam on the power output shaft of the primary power source is driven and connected by the slider through being connected with its special-shaped groove slider
Data Source
AI summary
A dual-power electromechanical lock is provided. The lock comprises a lock cover and a lock body with a latch therein, wherein the latch is installed in the lock body by a rotation restoring mechanism, the lock body is provided with a main power device in transmission connection with the latch, the lock cover is provided with a key hole corresponding to a key, a mechanical power device corresponding to the main power device is provided inside the lock body, and the mechanical power device is in transmission connection with the main power device.