Elevator Door Lock with Decelerating Bolt Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator door locks are structurally complex and expensive, requiring significant space, and are noisy due to high magnetic forces needed for rapid bolt operation, making them unsuitable for retrofitting or use in narrow or glass-constructed elevator shafts, and they fail to meet safety standards effectively.
Innovation Solution
A door lock with an electric motor-driven mechanism that decelerates the bolt during locking, allowing quiet operation and easy adaptation to various structural conditions, integrated within the door lock housing to reduce noise and maintenance, and meets safety standards by using a braking device and energy storage for reliable locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanical coupling with locking cam is used, then the bolt can be transferred into unlocked position, but the structure becomes complex and expensive requiring significant space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical coupling system with a magnetic field-based actuation system. The electromagnet generates a magnetic field that directly acts on the bolt, eliminating the need for mechanical linkages, locking cams, and associated complex mechanisms. This substitution of mechanical fields with electromagnetic fields resolves the contradiction by maintaining operational capability while dramatically simplifying the structure.
2Speed
If high magnetic forces are used for rapid bolt operation, then the bolt responds quickly, but noise emissions become very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pulsed or cyclic magnetic field activation rather than continuous high-force application. The electromagnet is activated in controlled pulses that move the bolt through its stroke, allowing deceleration phases that reduce impact noise. This periodic action maintains rapid response capability while eliminating the harmful noise generated by continuous high-force mechanical impact.
3Productivity
If electromagnetic door lock with high attraction forces is used, then the bolt can be moved rapidly, but high armature speed causes very high noise emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates damping elements and cushioning mechanisms that are pre-positioned to absorb the kinetic energy of the bolt before it reaches its final position. These elements are installed in advance to mitigate the impact noise that would otherwise be generated by the high-speed armature striking the stop, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing harmful noise emissions.
4Ease of operation
If mechanical linkage arrangements are implemented in narrow elevator shafts or glass construction, then the door lock can function, but the installation becomes extremely complex or undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces all external mechanical linkages with an electromagnetic actuation system that can be contained within the door lock housing itself. The electromagnet and associated control electronics are integrated into a compact unit that requires no external mechanical connections, making installation in narrow shafts or glass constructions straightforward and eliminating the complexity of adapting mechanical linkages to constrained spaces.
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 electric motor-driven door lock provides quiet, efficient, and cost-effective operation, reducing noise and maintenance needs while ensuring compliance with safety standards, facilitating easy retrofitting and adaptation to different elevator systems.
Implementation Method 1
the drive is provided by an electric motor (4)
Implementation Method 2
a braking device (14) is provided which holds the bolt (3) during its transfer into its locked position at least temporarily decelerates
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a door lock with a housing and bolt, which can be moved into a locked position and an unlocked position. A drive mechanism is provided, which interacts with the bolt and moves the bolt into its unlocked position. The drive is an electric motor and includes a control unit that is or can be connected to an elevator control unit. Depending on the position of an external device, such as an elevator car, the control unit actuates the drive to move the bolt into its unlocked position. Upon activation, the locking mechanism of the door lock forcibly moves the bolt from its unlocked position to its locked position without any action from the drive. An emergency release device allows the bolt to be manually moved into its unlocked position, independent of the drive.According to the invention, the drive is designed as an electric motor and/or a braking device is provided which at least temporarily slows down the bolt during its transition into its locking position.