Electronic Cylinder Lock Keyless Unlocking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cylinder locks do not have a reliable mechanism to unlock without a key, and they fail to function properly during electrical power failures, as they rely on mechanical key alignment and electrical components respectively.
Innovation Solution
A combined electrical/mechanical cylinder lock that utilizes a pin tumbler mechanism, incorporating a displacement mechanism with artificial muscle units, electromagnetic assemblies, or mechanical linkages to allow keyless unlocking while maintaining key-operated functionality, even during power failures, using a rotatable handle for manual operation when no key is present.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional mechanical cylinder lock uses a key to align tumbler pins, then the lock can be opened, but the lock fails to function during electrical power failures and cannot provide keyless unlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines electrical and mechanical systems into a single lock mechanism. The electrical system includes a solenoid that actuates a latch pin, while the mechanical system includes a key slot and tumbler pins. This merging allows the lock to function through multiple methods (electronic keyless access and mechanical key) while maintaining reliability during power failures through the mechanical backup.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be unlocked electronically via a solenoid-driven latch pin, mechanically via a key aligning tumbler pins, or through a combination of both systems. This multi-functionality ensures the lock remains reliable and accessible under various conditions, including electrical power failures.
2Ease of operation
If an electrical lock system is used for keyless unlocking, then convenience is improved, but the lock becomes unreliable during electrical power failures
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical key-operated tumbler mechanism is pre-configured and ready to function independently of the electrical system. The latch pin can be manually actuated through the key slot, ensuring that if the electrical system fails, the mechanical backup is immediately available without requiring additional action or preparation.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch pin serves as an intermediary element that can be actuated by either the electrical solenoid or the mechanical key system. This intermediary component allows the lock to transition between electrical and mechanical operation modes, ensuring continuous functionality regardless of power status.
3Reliability
If a mechanical key alignment mechanism is used, then the lock functions reliably, but the lock cannot provide convenient keyless unlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reliable mechanical key alignment mechanism with an electrical solenoid system. The mechanical tumbler pins remain functional for traditional key operation, while the solenoid provides keyless electronic access. This combination maintains the reliability of the mechanical system while adding the convenience of keyless unlocking.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the lock includes both electrical and mechanical systems, then versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical solenoid and mechanical latch pin are merged into a single integrated actuation system. The solenoid drives the latch pin, which is also accessible through the mechanical key slot. This merging reduces the need for separate independent mechanisms and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining multiple unlocking methods.
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
Enables secure keyless unlocking and reliable operation during power failures by displacing driver pins to align tumbler pins, ensuring the cylinder plug can rotate without a key, and provides a mechanical handle for manual operation, enhancing usability and security.
Implementation Method 1
A combined electrical/mechanical cylinder lock that utilizes a pin tumbler mechanism, incorporating a displacement mechanism with artificial muscle units, electromagnetic assemblies, or mechanical linkages
Implementation Method 2
A combined electrical/mechanical cylinder lock that utilizes a pin tumbler mechanism, incorporating a displacement mechanism with artificial muscle units
Data Source
AI summary
A cylinder lock device including: a body housing having a bore, with a direction of elongation defining an axial direction for the device; a rotatable cylindrical plug in the bore, the plug having an axially extending key slot from at least one end of the plug; a plurality of driver pins configurable substantially perpendicular to the key slot and located within the body housing and substantially outside of the plug; a plurality of tumbler pins corresponding to and positionable substantially collinear with each one of the plurality of driver pins and substantially inside the plug, the tumbler pins displaceable by a key to bias the driver pins to enable rotation of the plug, the driver pins adapted to displace the respective tumbler pins; and a displacement mechanism being deployed within the body housing and adapted to displace the plurality of driver pins thereby selectively enabling rotation of the plug when no key is present in the slot.