Bi-Directional Overrunning Clutch for Non-Interfering Electronic Door Locks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mechanical and electronic door locks interfere with each other when used together in smart home applications, leading to undesirable interactions between mechanical and electronic lock driving systems.
Innovation Solution
A bi-directional overrunning clutch mechanism is introduced, comprising a rotatable shaft, inner wheel, and outer wheel, where the overrunning clutch mechanism engages or disengages the inner and outer wheels based on torque direction, allowing independent operation of mechanical and electronic locking mechanisms without interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional mechanical and electronic door locks are combined in smart home applications, then the door lock system provides both mechanical and electronic locking capabilities, but the mechanical lock driving system and electronic lock driving system interfere with each other during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The door lock system is divided into two independent driving systems: a mechanical lock driving system with an inner wheel and an electronic lock driving system with an outer wheel. The overrunning clutch mechanism segments the power transmission paths, allowing each system to operate independently without interfering with the other. The inner wheel and outer wheel are coupled through the overrunning clutch mechanism, which enables selective engagement based on the direction of torque application.
Solution Approach 2:
The overrunning clutch mechanism acts as an intermediary between the mechanical and electronic driving systems. It mediates the interaction between the inner wheel (mechanical) and outer wheel (electronic) by allowing one to drive the other only when necessary, while preventing reverse interference. The overrunning clutch mechanism includes magnetic elements that detect torque direction and control the engagement state between the two wheels.
2Ease of operation
If the outer wheel is made rotatable around the rotatable shaft to receive torque from the electrical driving mechanism, then the electronic lock can independently operate the locking device, but the inner wheel and outer wheel may rotate independently causing operational conflicts
Solution Approach 1:
The overrunning clutch mechanism dynamically adjusts the coupling state between the inner wheel and outer wheel based on the direction of applied torque. When torque is applied to the outer wheel in the first direction, the magnetic elements engage to couple the wheels together. When torque is applied in the second direction, the magnetic elements disengage, allowing independent rotation. This dynamic engagement ensures operational independence while maintaining synchronization when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the engagement parameter of the overrunning clutch mechanism based on the direction of torque applied to the wheels. The magnetic elements detect the torque direction and change the coupling state accordingly, enabling the system to switch between engaged and disengaged states. This parameter change allows the outer wheel to rotate independently when necessary while maintaining synchronization with the inner wheel when torque is applied in the locking direction.
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 harmonious operation of mechanical and electronic lock driving systems by ensuring that the outer wheel rotates with the inner wheel only when receiving a specific torque, preventing unwanted rotation and maintaining system integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic pin, moveable on the magnetic face plate in response to the magnetic force
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a bi-directional overrunning clutch, electronic door locks having bi-directional overrunning clutches, and methods of using the same. In certain embodiments, the electronic door lock includes a first locking mechanism for driving an inner wheel through a first torque to rotate a rotatable shaft to operate a locking device on a door by a user from outside, a second locking mechanism for driving inner wheel through the first torque to operate the locking device from an inside, a third locking mechanism for driving an outer wheel rotatable coaxially around the rotatable shaft through a second torque to operate the locking device electronically, and the bi-directional overrunning clutch. When outer wheel rotates at second torque, inner wheel and rotatable shaft rotate along with outer wheel, and when inner wheel rotates at first torque, outer wheel does not rotate along with inner wheel and rotatable shaft.