Electric Door Lock Mechanism Resolving Preload and Fatigue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric door locks face issues with stability and malfunction due to magnetic force fatigue and preload, leading to inaccurate locking or unlocking, and are prone to failure under deformation or strong wind pressure.
Innovation Solution
The electric lock design incorporates a case with keeper arms, drive rods, rotate members, and brake members, utilizing a solenoid valve mechanism with a U-shaped positioning slot and push rod to achieve low power consumption and reliable locking/unlocking, with a wider U slot to accommodate preload and an energized/unlocked mode configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnetic coil and spring are used to control release lever pivot position, then the lock can achieve locking and unlocking function, but after frequent use the magnetic coil and spring fatigue causing inaccurate positioning and malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the magnetic coil and spring from the system entirely, replacing them with a pure mechanical linkage system consisting of drive rod, release lever, and positioning slot. This extraction of the deteriorating components (magnetic coil and spring) eliminates the root cause of fatigue and positioning inaccuracy, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and service life.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electromagnetic-mechanical hybrid system (magnetic coil controlling release lever) with a purely mechanical system (drive rod with positioning slot controlling release lever). This substitution eliminates components subject to fatigue while maintaining the locking/unlocking function through mechanical engagement and disengagement.
2Reliability
If conventional electric lock mechanism is used, then locking function is achieved, but the keeper arms stick while encountering preload such as door deformation or strong wind
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic positioning slot that allows the drive rod to move vertically within the slot when preload is applied. This dynamic adjustment enables the mechanism to accommodate door deformation and wind pressure without sticking, as the positioning slot provides clearance for the drive rod to shift position under load while maintaining the locking function.
3Ease of operation
If slot and through hole mechanism is used for engagement, then locking and unlocking is achieved, but inaccurate control of release lever separation from drive rod causes malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning slot is designed with specific geometry (wider at top, narrower at bottom) that enables self-alignment and self-positioning of the drive rod. As the drive rod moves within the slot, the varying width provides natural guidance and positioning, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms and ensuring accurate positioning through the mechanism's own structure.
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
This design ensures stable and reliable operation with reduced power consumption, allowing the door to open normally under preload and deformation, and provides both energized and power-off unlocking modes, enhancing the lock's reliability and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
two drive mechanisms symmetrically set at the lateral side of the brake members, having a shaft rod with the features of pop out and retract
Implementation Method 2
the bottom edge of the pivot hole arranged a torsional spring, when the keeper arms are drove to rotate, the torsional spring can let the keeper arms return
Data Source
AI summary
An improved mechanism of electric lock for door, comprising a case, on both side of the opening of the case arranged keeper arms, drive rods, and rotate member, and a drive mechanism connected to a drive member and a brake member; to achieve lock mode, the drive member drive the brake member to be engaged with the rotate member, making the keeper arms and drive rod unable to rotate, so the keeper arms can block the latch bolt from going through the opening; to achieve unlock mode, the drive member drive the brake member to be separate from the rotate member, making the keeper arms and drive rod able to rotate, so the latch bolt is able to go through the opening.