Electromechanical Lock With Magnetic Latching for Low-Power Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical locks for car accessories lack backward compatibility with electronic key systems, making it difficult to integrate digital electronics and maintain flexibility and power efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical lock with a reciprocally moveable longitudinal locking arrangement and an electromagnetic mechanism that allows for both mechanical and electronic control, enabling compatibility with existing mechanical locks and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If digital electronics and RF-circuits are integrated into existing mechanical locks, then backward compatibility is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The lock system is divided into two independent parts: a reusable mechanical lock body that maintains existing functionality, and a separate keyless entry module that can be added or removed independently. This segmentation allows backward compatibility without forcing integration of electronics into the original mechanical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical lock body is designed to work with multiple types of keys (traditional mechanical keys and electronic keyless modules), making it universal. The same lock body can serve both traditional mechanical locking and modern electronic access control functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electronic components are added to mechanical locks, then flexibility and smart technologies are enabled, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic components are activated only periodically when authentication is needed, rather than continuously. The system transitions between active electronic authentication mode and passive mechanical locking mode, reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical locking mechanism serves itself by automatically securing the lock body once electronic authentication succeeds, without requiring continuous electronic power. The mechanical components take over the holding function, allowing electronics to remain dormant.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing mechanical locks are replaced with new electronic lock systems, then modern features are obtained, but manufacturing and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the expensive electronic components into a modular keyless entry module that can be manufactured independently from the standard mechanical lock body, allowing economies of scale in mechanical production while adding electronic features only where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
A standardized interface module acts as an intermediary between existing mechanical locks and new electronic keyless systems, allowing integration without complete replacement. This mediator enables gradual modernization at lower cost.
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 electromechanical lock provides flexibility in using one key for multiple locks while maintaining backward compatibility with existing products, with low power consumption during transitions between locked and unlocked states.
Implementation Method 1
the electromagnet being arranged in the cavity and the locking arrangement being movable from a locked position to an unlocked position by a magnetic field of the electromagnet
Implementation Method 2
a spring arranged in the cavity and the locking arrangement being returnable to the locked position by the spring
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c
AI summary
The disclosure relates to an electromechanical lock (20) comprising a cavity (302). The cavity (302) extends in a longitudinal direction (A) perpendicular to a radial direction (R). The cavity (302) has a first longitudinal end (305a) and a second longitudinal end (305b). The electromechanical lock (20) comprises a locking actuator (306a), a switch (306b) and a longitudinal locking arrangement biased by a longitudinal force towards the first longitudinal end (305a). The longitudinal locking arrangement is adapted to hinder movement of the longitudinal locking arrangement from a longitudinal locking position to a first longitudinal end position when the longitudinal locking arrangement is in a locked state. The longitudinal locking arrangement comprises: - an electromagnet; - a magnetizable longitudinal locking element (310). The actuator (306a) is adapted to control a state of the longitudinal locking arrangement (307) from the locked state to an unlocked state by being adapted to control radial movement of the longitudinal locking element (310) from the first radial position to the second radial position. The switch (306b) is adapted to control a state of the electromagnet between a deactivated state and an activated state, in which activated state the electromagnet is adapted to keep the longitudinal locking element (310) in the second radial position.