Emergency Key with Integrated Battery for Discharged Electronic Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users may become stuck outside a room when the battery of an electronic lock is completely discharged, as they cannot recharge or replace it without a technician and specific external power supply, making the unlocking process complex and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
An additional key with a built-in battery and transmitter can power and unlock the electronic lock independently, eliminating the need for an external power source and simplifying access when the primary battery is depleted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery of the electronic lock is completely discharged, then the wireless receiver is no longer powered and the lock cannot be unlocked via contactless key, but bringing an external power supply and technician makes the procedure complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary object (the additional key with integrated power source) that mediates between the discharged lock and the user. This additional key contains both a transmitter for unlocking and a power source that can temporarily power the lock's electronics, serving as a bridge to restore functionality without requiring external equipment or technicians.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the unlocking function into two independent components: the contactless key for authentication and the additional key with integrated power source for emergency operation. This segmentation allows the additional key to independently provide both power and unlocking capability, eliminating the need for complex external equipment.
2Reliability
If the battery of the electronic lock is completely discharged, then the lock remains blocked in locked position for security reasons, but this prevents users from recharging or replacing the battery from outside
Solution Approach 1:
The additional key acts as an intermediary that temporarily bypasses the security restriction. By providing integrated power, it enables the lock's electronics to function temporarily, allowing authenticated users to gain entry and subsequently replace the battery from inside, thus maintaining security while enabling battery replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The additional key performs preliminary action by providing power before battery replacement can occur. It temporarily powers the lock's electronics to enable authentication and door opening, creating the condition necessary for subsequent battery replacement from inside the secured area.
3Reliability
If service technicians are equipped with external power supply to power the electronic lock from outside, then the lock can be unlocked when battery is discharged, but this requires specific tools and simultaneous presence of technician and user
Solution Approach 1:
The additional key enables self-service emergency unlocking by integrating the power source directly into the key. Users can independently power and unlock the lock without requiring a technician's presence, external equipment, or coordination, thus eliminating time loss and making the system self-sufficient for emergency situations.
4Ease of operation
If the electronic lock uses wireless receiver for contactless unlocking, then the locking mechanism can be controlled electronically, but the wireless receiver requires continuous power from the battery
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between power sources based on battery status. The additional key with integrated power source becomes active only when the main battery is discharged, providing temporary power to the wireless receiver and electronics during emergency unlocking, thus maintaining operational flexibility while managing energy constraints.
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 allows for simplified unlocking of the electronic lock when the battery is discharged, enabling continued access without immediate battery replacement and providing flexibility in key usage as both contactless and conventional keys.
Implementation Method 1
a battery, an electrical network which connects the battery to the wireless receiver, to the electronic circuit and to the locking mechanism to supply them from this battery
Implementation Method 2
a wireless transmitter, capable of transmitting access data suitable for triggering the unlocking of the electronic lock, to the wireless receiver, via a wireless link and without any mechanical contact with the electronic lock
Data Source
Figure 1~5
AI summary
This assembly comprises: - an electronic lock having a long channel (24), - a contactless key (6) without a blade suitable for insertion into the long channel, - an additional key (8) having a long blade (40) suitable for insertion into the channel, and capable of transmitting access data to the electronic lock, - an alternative power supply, independent of a battery of the electronic lock, this alternative power supply being able to switch, in response to the insertion of the blade (40) into the channel, from an inactive state in which it does not supply power to the electronic lock, to an active state in which it supplies power to the electronic lock, this alternative power supply being housed inside the additional key (8) or inside the electronic lock.