Electromechanical Lock with Magnetic Grip and Oscillating Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromechanical locks face challenges in minimizing energy consumption, enhancing break-in security, and simplifying their mechanical structure.
Innovation Solution
The electromechanical lock incorporates an electronic circuit for data reading and matching, an actuator with a drive head and driven gear mechanism, and a grip mechanism using permanent magnets to securely hold the lock in place, with energy generation from user interactions and optional NFC technology for power and data transfer, allowing for efficient operation and enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional locks are replaced with electromechanical locks, then security and control capabilities are improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism uses periodic action through the oscillating drive head that moves back and forth to engage and disengage lugs from notches. The grip mechanism also employs periodic engagement to hold the driven gear in locked positions, enabling the lock to maintain security with minimal energy input rather than continuous power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock system incorporates self-service features through its mechanical design where the drive head's oscillating motion automatically engages lugs with notches without requiring additional energy input. The grip mechanism with permanent magnets provides passive holding force to maintain locked positions, reducing the need for continuous electrical power to maintain security.
2Reliability
If the lock mechanism is made more secure against break-in, then break-in security is improved, but mechanical structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the drive head with multiple lugs, the driven gear with multiple notches, and the grip mechanism with separate gripping elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific security function independently, simplifying the overall design while maintaining high break-in resistance through the coordinated action of these modular elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The grip mechanism utilizes composite construction combining permanent magnets with mechanical gripping elements. This composite approach provides both the magnetic holding force for security and the mechanical structure for durability, achieving enhanced break-in security without proportionally increasing mechanical complexity.
3Reliability
If more components are added to enhance security features, then break-in security is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive head serves multiple functions: it transmits rotational motion from the actuator, provides security through lug engagement with notches, and enables the oscillating motion necessary for the lock's operation. The driven gear similarly performs multiple roles including motion transmission and providing the notched structure for security engagement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated security components, lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining enhanced break-in security.
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 solution reduces energy consumption, improves break-in security by maintaining the lock's integrity under external forces, and simplifies the mechanical structure through efficient data-driven operation and energy harvesting, ensuring secure access control.
Implementation Method 1
a grip mechanism (111) holding the driven gear (101) stationary in a locked position (200)
Implementation Method 2
an actuator (103) comprising a drive head (109) rotatable by electric power (160)
Data Source
AI summary
Electromechanical lock. Actuator (103) comprises drive head (109) rotatable by electric power (160). Access control mechanism (104) comprises driven gear (101) with cogs, and grip mechanism (111). Drive head (109) comprises two pins (210, 212) configured and positioned so that one of pins (210, 212) is in notch between two cogs (220, 222, 224, 226, 228) of driven gear (101). For opening, drive head (109) rotates driven gear (101) to open position (400), by two pins (210, 212) driving cogs (220, 222, 224, 226, 228) and overcoming grip mechanism (111), and thereby setting access control mechanism (104) to be rotatable (152) by user. If external mechanical break-in force (172) is applied, drive head (109) remains stationary by at least one of pins (210, 212) contacting at least one of cogs (220, 222, 224), and by grip mechanism (111) holding driven gear (101) stationary in locked position (200).