Electric Lock Clutch Mechanism Simplification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric locks with complex clutch mechanisms and gear sets are difficult to assemble, leading to higher production costs and lower efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A simplified electric lock design featuring a base with inclined surfaces, a driving module with a motor and rotatable driving member, and a clutch member with a pushed structure, allowing the motor to easily rotate the driving member to engage or disengage the clutch mechanism, facilitating assembly and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex gear set and clutch mechanism are used in the electric lock, then the locking and unlocking functionality is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and difficult to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gear set and clutch mechanism into a single integrated clutch assembly. The driving member directly engages with the clutch member through inclined surfaces, eliminating the need for separate gear components. This integration maintains the locking functionality while significantly simplifying the overall structure and reducing the number of parts that need to be assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate components from the traditional gear set and clutch mechanism. By using a direct inclined surface engagement between the driving member and clutch member, the design removes complex gear teeth and multiple transmission stages, retaining only the essential elements needed for locking and unlocking operations.
2Reliability
If a complex gear set and clutch mechanism are used in the electric lock, then the locking and unlocking functionality is achieved, but the assembly process becomes difficult and production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the driving mechanism and clutch into a single integrated assembly with fewer parts, the patent reduces assembly steps and manufacturing complexity. The simplified structure requires fewer assembly operations, directly improving production efficiency while maintaining reliable locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the electric lock into distinct functional modules: the driving member with inclined surface, the clutch member with corresponding inclined surface, and the handle assembly. This modular segmentation allows for easier manufacturing, quality control, and assembly, thereby improving production efficiency without compromising the locking mechanism's reliability.
3Reliability
If a complex gear set and clutch mechanism are used in the electric lock, then the locking and unlocking functionality is achieved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting and removing unnecessary complex components from the traditional design, the patent reduces the bill of materials and manufacturing complexity. The simplified clutch mechanism requires fewer precision-machined parts, leading to lower production costs while maintaining the essential locking and unlocking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integration of the driving member and clutch member into a simplified assembly reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled. This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs through reduced material usage, fewer machining operations, and simplified quality inspection processes, while preserving reliable locking operation.
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 simplified design reduces production costs and improves efficiency by making the electric lock easier to assemble and maintain, while maintaining effective locking and unlocking functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The motor is configured to drive the driving member to rotate
Implementation Method 2
The driving member has a second inclined surface abutting against the first inclined surface. When the motor drives the driving member to rotate relative to the base along a first rotating direction, the driving member pushes the clutch member to move toward the handle
Implementation Method 3
the pushing structure is configured to abut against the pushed structure to push the clutch member to rotate when the handle is rotated
Data Source
AI summary
An electric lock includes a base, a driving module, a handle and a clutch member. The base has a first inclined surface. The driving module includes a driving member rotatable relative to the base and having a second inclined surface abutting against the first inclined surface, and a motor configured to drive the driving member to rotate. The handle is rotatably mounted to the base, and has a plurality of pushing structures. The clutch member includes a main body abutting against the driving member, and a pushed structure formed on the main body. Wherein, when the motor drives the driving member to rotate relative to the base along a first rotating direction, the driving member pushes the clutch member to move toward the handle, such that the pushing structure is configured to abut against the pushed structure to push the clutch member to rotate when the handle is rotated.