Electromechanical Lock with Offset Electromagnet and Movable Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromechanical locks require powerful and bulky electromagnets for safety exits, which are expensive and unreliable, and can get stuck in partially protruding positions during power cuts, preventing door opening.
Innovation Solution
The electromechanical lock design features a non-parallel retaining direction for the electromagnetic means relative to the bolt's translational movement, reducing the necessary retaining force and using a less powerful electromagnet, combined with a movable assembly and inclined striker to ensure door opening in emergency situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a powerful electromagnet is used to ensure door resistance standards, then the locking reliability is improved, but the device size and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial relationship between the electromagnet and bolt by making their action directions non-parallel. The electromagnet acts in a direction that is offset from the bolt's translational direction, creating a moment arm that amplifies the locking effect. This dimensional change allows a smaller electromagnet to achieve the same locking reliability as a much larger coaxial electromagnet would require.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a movable assembly that can change position between a first position (when bolt is protruding) and a second position (when bolt is retracted). This dynamic element allows the system to optimize the electromagnetic interaction at different stages of operation, enabling reliable locking with reduced electromagnet size compared to static coaxial designs.
2Ease of operation
If a worm screw mechanism is used with the electric motor, then the bolt translation is achieved, but the system complexity increases due to required limit switches and returning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the screw mechanism from the system and replaces it with a direct-acting electric cylinder. The electric cylinder's rod moves in a direction offset from the bolt's translational direction, but this simple linear actuation eliminates the need for complex worm screw mechanisms, limit switches, and returning mechanisms, significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a movable assembly as an intermediary between the electric cylinder and the bolt. This assembly translates the offset motion of the electric cylinder rod into the required bolt translation, and also serves as the component that interacts with the electromagnet. This intermediary simplifies the overall mechanism by eliminating the need for complex screw mechanisms and limit switches.
3Force
If the electromagnet and motor directions are made non-parallel, then the retaining force requirement is reduced, but the mechanical linkage complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable assembly serves as an intermediary that simplifies the mechanical linkage. It directly translates the offset motion of the electric cylinder rod into bolt translation, and provides a simple interface for the electromagnet's non-parallel action. This intermediary eliminates the need for complex mechanical linkages that would otherwise be required to coordinate the offset motions of multiple components.
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 provides a compact, reliable, and cost-effective lock that automatically releases doors during power failures, ensuring safe evacuation while maintaining mechanical resistance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnetic means retaining said bolt in the protruding position when it is supplied with electric current
Implementation Method 2
a return means acting permanently on said bolt to cause it to pass from the protruding position to the retracted position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The device has an electromagnetic unit i.e. electromagnetic locking member (13), presenting a non parallel retaining direction that is perpendicular to a translational movement direction of a bolt (4). An electrical actuator (11) i.e. electric jack, has a non parallel action direction that is perpendicular to the translational movement direction of the bolt. A mobile assembly (8) includes a pusher (9) sandwiched between the actuator and the member. The actuator is positioned diametrically opposite to the member with respect to the translational movement direction of the bolt.