Low-Profile Electronic Cam Lock for Standard Cabinet Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a simple, reliable, and compact electronic lock that can fit in standard cam lock openings, offering keypad or electronic key operation, and suitable for various secure situations like file cabinets, doors, and access panels, without requiring additional housing or electronics on the back side.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile electronic cam lock with a keypad or handle that fits in standard cam lock openings, using coin cell batteries for compactness, and featuring a rear-extending cam lock cylinder unit with a threaded nut for secure mounting, along with optional additional fastening mechanisms like machine screws or nipples, allowing for easy installation and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a standard electronic lock is used, then security functionality is achieved, but the lock size exceeds standard cam lock openings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical key-operated locking systems with an electronic locking mechanism that uses a motorized cam driver. The electronic lock unit contains a motor that rotates the cam driver to engage or disengage the locking cam, eliminating the need for physical key manipulation while maintaining security functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic lock unit is designed to be universally compatible with standard cam lock openings by using a standardized cam driver interface. This allows the same electronic lock unit to replace various types of mechanical cam locks (D-shaped, double D-shaped, oval, round) across different applications including file cabinets, doors, and access panels.
2Ease of operation
If electronic components are added to the back side, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electronic components (battery compartment, circuit board, keypad or RFID reader) and places them entirely within the lock housing, leaving the back side of the lock simple and clean. This separation allows the electronic functionality to be contained in a compact unit that interfaces with the mechanical cam locking system without adding complexity to the mounting structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the electronic locking mechanism, battery power source, user interface (keypad or RFID reader), and mechanical cam driver into a single integrated lock unit. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate housings or additional mounting structures, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full electronic functionality.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact design is used, then installation space is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lock into distinct functional modules: an electronic control unit, a motorized cam driver, a battery compartment, and a mechanical interface. This modular segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and tested independently, then assembled into the compact lock unit, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements while achieving a compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock uses a universal cam driver interface that conforms to standard cam lock specifications. This standardization allows the compact electronic lock to interface with existing cam lock mechanisms without requiring custom machining or high-precision manufacturing, as the interface dimensions and tolerances follow established industry standards.
Data Source
AI summary
A cam lock for cabinets, drawers, drug cabinets, credenzas, sliding doors, lockers, mail boxes and other door type applications is compact in size, fits an existing cam lock opening and provides electronic access via a keypad or other electronic access. Using batteries, such as AAA size batteries or smaller, the lock has electronics that release a lock turn knob or handle when the correct code is entered. Preferably a set of electronic contacts is included at an accessible position on the lock housing to allow both master access and power jumping with a common manager's implement, for situations of lost codes and/or battery failure. In a particular embodiment the lock is long, narrow and low in profile so as to fit on the margin of a steel or wood file cabinet, compatible with the cam lock opening already provided.