Interior Door Handle Emergency Lockdown Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic door locks lack a keyless method for emergency lockdown, posing risks in situations like intruder alerts where users may not have access to regular or electronic keys, and existing solutions like turn-button mechanical locks can inadvertently lock teachers out of classrooms.

Innovation Solution

An electronic lockset with a handle-activated lockdown functionality, incorporating a sensor, printed circuit board, and motor to automatically lock the door in response to specific manipulations of the interior handle, such as holding or turning the handle for a predetermined time or sequence, and communication with a mobile device to program the lockset for lockdown.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional electronic door locks use regular keys or electronic keys for locking, then the locking function is reliable, but in emergency situations users may not have access to keys to lock the door

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking function reliabilityVSAvoidemergency lockdown accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The interior handle performs dual functions: it serves as both the normal door opening mechanism and the emergency lockdown trigger. By manipulating the handle (turning it a specific number of times or holding it in a specific position), the user activates the lockdown function without needing any separate key or electronic device, making the system self-sufficient in emergency situations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The interior handle is designed to perform multiple functions: normal door opening, emergency lockdown initiation, and potentially code entry activation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate emergency locking mechanisms and ensures that the lockdown function is always accessible to users inside the protected space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If turn-button mechanical lock functions are mandated on interior doors, then teachers can lock doors from the inside, but students can inadvertently lock teachers out by turning the turn-button

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterior door locking capabilityVSAvoidprevention of unauthorized locking

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the simple mechanical turn-button system with an electronic lockset that uses a sensor to detect handle manipulation and an actuator to control the locking mechanism. This substitution allows for more complex interaction patterns (such as requiring a specific number of turns or holding the handle in a specific position) that prevent unintended locking while maintaining interior access capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates a sensor that provides feedback about the interior handle's position and manipulation pattern to the control system. This feedback mechanism enables the system to distinguish between normal door opening operations and intentional lockdown attempts, preventing students from inadvertently locking teachers out while ensuring teachers can reliably lock doors from the inside

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If electronic locksets include handle-activated lockdown functionality, then keyless emergency lockdown is enabled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekeyless emergency lockdownVSAvoidlockset component complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the lockdown activation function with the existing interior handle assembly by integrating a sensor into the handle mechanism itself. This integration eliminates the need for separate emergency lockdown devices or additional keypads, as the handle's manipulation patterns directly trigger the electronic locking mechanism, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite adding the lockdown capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables secure, keyless lockdown of doors in emergency situations without requiring physical keys, preventing unauthorized access while allowing authorized personnel to lock doors from either side, enhancing safety without the need for extravagant security systems.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor to sense a manipulation of the interior handle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical sensing:

Implementation Method 2

a motor to move the at least one of the latch bolt and the deadbolt in response to a signal received by the PCB

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnet

Data Source

PatentUS11158146B2Interior door handle emergency lockdown apparatus, system, mobile application, and method thereof

Publication Date: 2021.10.26 CAHILL JEFF

AI summary

An electronic lockset mounted on a door, the electronic lockset including a lock comprising at least one of a latch bolt and a deadbolt to prevent the door from opening when the lock is in a locked state, an interior handle to open the door when the lock is in an unlocked state, a sensor to sense a manipulation of the interior handle, a printed circuit board (PCB) to receive information sensed by the sensor regarding the manipulation of the interior handle, and a motor to move the at least one of the latch bolt and the deadbolt in response to a signal received by the PCB directed to the information regarding the manipulation of the interior handle.