Electronic Lock Motor Spring Resistance Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive glove box and accessory compartment door closure systems lack efficiency and reliability in maintaining the door in a closed position, necessitating an improvement or alternative solution.
Innovation Solution
A motor assembly with a spring resistance mechanism and an electronic lock system that includes a plunger, rotator, and inertial locking system to securely maintain the door in a closed position, allowing for controlled locking and unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a motor assembly with spring resistance is used to rotate the rotator between locked and unlocked positions, then the door can be securely locked and reliably unlocked, but the device complexity increases due to additional components (motor, spring, rotator mechanism)
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: the motor assembly for actuation, the rotator for rotational movement between locked and unlocked positions, the plunger for linear movement to engage/disengage the latch, and the spring for providing resistance and return force. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to achieve reliable door closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotator serves as an intermediary mechanism that converts the motor's rotational output into controlled movement of the plunger. The spring acts as an intermediary that stores and releases energy to provide resistance during motor operation and automatic return to the locked position. These intermediary elements mediate between the motor's power and the latch's mechanical engagement, improving reliability.
2Reliability
If a spring is configured to resist movement of the output shaft and rotator, then the door remains securely latched in the closed position, but the motor requires higher force to overcome the spring resistance during unlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The spring provides periodic resistance that varies during the motor's rotation cycle. The resistance is highest when the plunger is engaged with the striker and decreases as the rotator turns and the plunger disengages. This periodic variation in force requirement allows the motor to overcome the spring resistance in stages rather than requiring maximum force throughout the entire rotation, making the unlocking process more efficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring resistance is not static but dynamic, changing as the rotator moves between positions. The spring is compressed or tensioned at different points in the rotation cycle, creating a dynamic force profile that the motor must overcome. This dynamic characteristic allows the system to maintain strong latching when needed while reducing the peak force requirement during the unlocking transition.
3Reliability
If the plunger is prevented from moving by the rotator in the locked state, then the door remains securely closed, but the mechanism requires precise alignment between components to ensure proper locking and unlocking
Solution Approach 1:
The rotator and plunger features are designed with asymmetric geometries that provide inherent alignment guidance. The rotator has asymmetric cam surfaces or engagement features that guide the plunger into the correct position during rotation. This asymmetric design creates a self-aligning mechanism that reduces the need for high-precision manufacturing while ensuring reliable locking and unlocking actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism incorporates preliminary alignment features that prepare the components for proper engagement before the final locking action occurs. As the rotator begins to turn from the unlocked position, alignment ribs, guide surfaces, or pre-positioning features guide the plunger into the correct trajectory and position. This preliminary action ensures that when the plunger reaches the locked position, the alignment is already established, reducing the tolerance requirements for the final engagement.
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
The proposed solution effectively secures the door in a closed position while allowing for reliable and controlled locking and unlocking operations, enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of the door closure system.
Implementation Method 1
A spring is configured to resist movement of the output shaft and the rotator between the first rotational position and the second rotational position
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic lock for securing a door or access panel. The electronic lock includes a housing and a plunger that is moveably mounted to the housing between a latched position of the electronic lock and an unlatched position of the electronic lock. A rotator is rotatably mounted to the housing between an unlocked position and a locked position. In the locked position of the rotator, the plunger is prevented from moving to the unlatched position, and, in the unlocked position of the rotator, the plunger is permitted to move to the unlatched position. A motor has an output shaft that is configured to rotate the rotator between the locked position and the unlocked position. A spring is configured to resist movement of the output shaft between the locked position and the unlocked position.