Escape Route Door Lock Control to Prevent Emergency Relocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Security systems for securing escape routes using non-latching actuating elements can inadvertently lock doors again during emergencies, blocking fleeing individuals.
Innovation Solution
A security system that includes an electronic device preventing the locking mechanism of a door lock from being controlled for locking without a cancellation condition, ensuring the door remains unlocked until the cancellation condition is met, using an actuation signal generated by a manually operable actuating element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a non-latching actuating element is used to unlock the door lock, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because the door lock can relock despite ongoing danger
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic device stores the actuation signal state in memory before any locking action occurs. This preliminary recording of the actuated state ensures that when the door lock attempts to relock, the electronic device can detect the stored actuation signal and prevent the locking mechanism from engaging, thus maintaining escape route availability even with a non-latching actuating element.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback by monitoring the actuation signal state through the electronic device. When the actuating element is actuated, the electronic device detects this state, stores it in memory, and uses this feedback information to control the locking mechanism, preventing it from locking as long as the actuation signal remains stored. This feedback loop ensures reliability while allowing easy operation.
2Reliability
If the door lock is prevented from locking electronically after actuation, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic device performs multiple functions: it generates the actuation signal when the actuating element is pressed, stores the actuation state in its memory, and controls the locking mechanism based on this stored state. By making the electronic device multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while ensuring safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the signal generation, state storage, and locking control functions into a single electronic device. The memory component within the electronic device stores the actuation signal state, and the electronic device uses this stored information to control the locking mechanism. This merging of functions reduces the overall system complexity compared to having separate dedicated components for each function.
Data Source
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AI summary
A safety system (1) for unlocking at least one door lock (200), in particular an escape route lock, is described and illustrated. The safety system (1) comprises a release element (10), in particular an emergency button (10), wherein the release element (10) comprises a manually operable actuating element (11), and wherein actuating the actuating element (11) generates an actuating signal for unlocking the door lock (200). According to the invention, the safety system (1) comprises an electronic device (207), and as a result of the actuating signal, the electronic device (207) electronically prevents a locking mechanism (205) of the door lock (200) from being activated for locking without the presence of a release condition.