Elevator Door Lock Safety Device with Expanding Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems lack effective safety devices to prevent unauthorized access to locking mechanisms, which is a safety concern, especially during maintenance operations or emergencies like fires.
Innovation Solution
The elevator door lock safety device features a base with expanding extension members, an actuation device, and optional friction members that secure the device within the door lock, preventing removal and ensuring unauthorized access is blocked by increasing the separation distance between the members upon actuation, forming a friction fit with the door lock.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the locking mechanism is made easily accessible for maintenance operations, then the ease of operation is improved, but the security against unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into two functional parts: an accessible exterior portion for authorized maintenance operations, and an interior portion that requires insertion and actuation of the safety device. This segmentation allows routine maintenance while preventing unauthorized access to critical interior components.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety device acts as an intermediary element between the exterior environment and the interior locking mechanism. When inserted and activated, it expands to block access to the interior portion, serving as a mediator that enables controlled access - allowing authorized personnel to operate the lock while preventing unauthorized individuals from accessing the interior components.
2Reliability
If the safety device is designed to prevent access to the locking mechanism, then the security is improved, but the ease of operation for authorized personnel deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The safety device is designed to be inserted into the locking mechanism before maintenance operations begin. This preliminary action establishes security controls in advance, allowing authorized personnel to then operate the lock through the designated exterior interface without needing to access the interior, thus maintaining both security and operational ease.
3Reliability
If the expanding extension members are designed to increase separation distance upon actuation, then the security against removal is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The extension members transition from a static, compact configuration to a dynamic, expanded state upon actuation. This dynamic behavior allows the device to maintain a low-profile inserted state during installation, then automatically expand to engage with the interior surfaces and increase separation distance, providing secure anti-removal functionality without requiring a permanently complex structure.
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
This solution provides a secure mechanism to prevent unauthorized access to elevator door locks, allowing authorized personnel to perform maintenance safely without risking improper operation or access during emergencies.
Implementation Method 1
a friction member located on each of the first and second expanding extension members, wherein the friction member is configured to provide friction engagement with an engagement surface of a door lock
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Elevator door lock safety devices (300; 400; 500; 600; 700; 900) including a base (408), a first expanding extension member (410a; 510a; 910a) extending from the base (408), the first expanding extension member (410a; 510a; 910a) having a first exterior surface (522a) and a first interior surface (416a), a second expanding extension member (410b; 510b; 910b) extending from the base (408) and opposing the first expanding extension member (410a; 510a; 910a), the second expanding extension member (410b; 510b; 910b) having a second exterior surface (522b) and a second interior surface (416b), wherein a separation distance (412; 512) is defined between the first and second interior surfaces (416a; 416b), an actuator aperture (420; 920) formed within the first expanding extension member (410a; 510a; 910a) and extending through the first expanding extension member (410a; 510a; 910a) from the first exterior surface (522a) to the first interior surface (416a), and an actuation device (406; 906) passing through the actuator aperture (420; 920), wherein actuation of the actuation device (406; 906) actuates the elevator door lock safety device (300; 400; 500; 600; 700; 900) from a first state to a second state, wherein the separation distance (412; 512) is greater in the second state than in the first state.