Electromechanical Lock Latch Holdback Remote Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Correctional facility locks require manual re-locking of multiple doors, which is time-consuming in emergency situations, as they rely on mechanical latch holdback that needs to be overridden individually.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical lock with a mechanical latch holdback feature that can be remotely released and extended using a control signal, allowing for quick and simultaneous lockdown or lockdown of multiple doors from a control center.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical latch holdback is used to keep doors unlocked, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming manual re-locking of each door individually
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the purely mechanical key-operated latch system with an electromechanical system. An electric motor is integrated into the lock mechanism to automatically extend the latch back to the locked position, substituting manual mechanical operation with automated electrical actuation. This allows the latch to be remotely re-extended without manual intervention at each door.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism performs self-service by automatically re-extending the latch through integrated electric motor operation. After the latch is retracted and held back mechanically, the electric motor automatically returns the latch to its extended locked position without requiring external manual operation, enabling the system to service itself.
2Device complexity
If manual key operation is used for each door, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time increases during emergency lockdown situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical key operation with an electromechanical system featuring an integrated electric motor. This motor can be remotely activated to extend or retract the latch, eliminating the need for physical key insertion and rotation at each door, thereby dramatically reducing the time required for lockdown operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism includes preliminary action features where the electric motor is pre-positioned and ready to actuate the latch. The system can be pre-configured with control wiring and power supply, so that in an emergency situation, the latch can be immediately extended or retracted without requiring setup or preparation time at each door location.
3Productivity
If electromechanical components are added for remote release, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electric motor, control mechanism, and latch operation into a single integrated lock assembly. Rather than adding separate remote release devices, the electrical components are combined with the existing mechanical latch mechanism, allowing remote control functionality to be achieved while minimizing additional complexity through consolidation of functions.
Data Source
AI summary
An electromechanical lock which is configured to provide a mechanical latch holdback feature, whereby a key is useable to retract a latch of the lock, the key can be removed, and the latch remains mechanically held back. The held back latch is remotely releasable. As such, a correctional officer can use his key to mechanically hold back the latch, such that the lock remains open. Subsequently, a control signal can be sent from a remote location causing the latch to be released and extended, such that the lock locks. This ability to remotely override the mechanical latch holdback is useful in a correctional facility—for example, when the mechanical latch holdback has been engaged for cell doors and an emergency situation arises where a quick remote lockdown may be necessary, instead of having to perform the time-consuming task of re-locking the doors one-by-one, locally by key.