Electronic Door Strip for Integrated Apartment Access Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing access control systems require residents to manually unlock both the residence and apartment doors, and installation is complicated due to the separation of intercom systems and electric locks, which are often located at different distances from the apartment doors.

Innovation Solution

An integrated access control system with an electronic door strip that combines intercom equipment and electric locks, allowing residents to unlock both doors from within their apartments, and simplifies installation by integrating all components into a single unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If separate control units are used for residence door and apartment door, then each door can be controlled independently, but the installation complexity increases and the system becomes more complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent door control capabilityVSAvoidInstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the control unit with the intercom system into a single integrated device. The control unit includes a microprocessor that can both communicate with the intercom system and control the electric lock, eliminating the need for separate control units for the residence door and apartment door. This integration maintains independent door control capability while significantly reducing installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Device complexity

If the control unit is housed within the electric lock casing, then the system structure is simplified, but the intercom system must be located elsewhere in the apartment requiring complex interfacing

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSystem structureVSAvoidInstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control unit and intercom system into a single integrated device that is installed at the apartment door. This eliminates the need for separate housing locations and complex interfacing between distant components. The integrated device includes all necessary components (microprocessor, intercom interface, lock control) in one unit, making installation straightforward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Shape

If the intercom system is located away from the apartment door, then the door structure is simplified, but the interfacing becomes difficult and installation is not straightforward

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveDoor structureVSAvoidInterfacing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the intercom system directly with the control unit at the apartment door location. This eliminates the need for long-distance interfacing between separately located components. The integrated design maintains door structure simplicity while making installation straightforward, as all components are housed in one unit installed at the door.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If a single integrated electronic door strip is used, then installation is simplified and operation is easier, but all components must be integrated into one unit

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInstallation easeVSAvoidComponent integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple components (control unit, intercom system, electric lock control, touch screen interface) into a single electronic door strip. While this creates a multi-component integrated unit, the integration is achieved through a modular design where components communicate via standard interfaces, making the overall system easier to install and operate compared to separate distributed components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4344182B1Access control system
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 COGELEC
  • EP4344182B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4344182B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

This access control system comprises: - a control unit (86) capable of: - sending a first unlocking command to a first electric lock (72) of an apartment door in response to the activation of a first opening button (100), and - sending the second unlocking command to a second electric lock of a residence door in response to the activation of a second opening button, - an electronic door strip fixed to an interior face of the apartment door, this electronic door strip being in the form of a single piece comprising all of the following components: the first electric lock (72), the first opening button (100), an interior intercom device (70) for this apartment, the control unit (86) and the connections between all the components of the electronic door strip.