Intelligent Lock with Bidirectional Lever and Mechanical Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional locks for cargo compartments lack flexibility and reliability due to fixed lock rope lengths and unidirectional operation, and auxiliary devices like travel switches are cumbersome and prone to environmental interference.

Innovation Solution

An intelligent lock with a lock body, lock lever, and restricting members that allow adjustable locking, combined with a detecting device and control element for secure operation, enabling bidirectional locking and unlocking, and using spring-loaded post rods for detection, reducing manufacturing costs and improving reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional lock rope structure is used with fixed length, then manufacturing is simple, but adaptability to different cargo compartment sizes is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different cargo compartment sizesVSAvoidlock structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock rope is designed with adjustable length capability, transforming from a fixed static structure to a dynamic adjustable one. This allows the lock rope to adapt to different cargo compartment sizes by changing its effective length, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lock rope is divided into multiple segments or sections that can be extended or reconfigured. This segmentation allows the lock rope to achieve variable lengths while maintaining a relatively simple base structure, enabling adaptability without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If unidirectional insertion and pulling-out operation is used, then operation is simple, but use flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoiduse flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lock mechanism is designed to support bidirectional operations - not only insertion but also extraction and reverse insertion. This inversion of the traditional unidirectional approach allows the lock to be operated from both directions, significantly enhancing use flexibility while maintaining operational simplicity through symmetric design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Measurement precision

If auxiliary devices such as travel switches or Hall devices are used to detect lock tongue position, then detection accuracy is improved, but device size increases and service life decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelock tongue position detection accuracyVSAvoidservice life and environmental resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electronic auxiliary devices (travel switches, Hall devices) with a purely mechanical detection mechanism. The lock tongue itself mechanically engages with detection structures within the lock body, providing accurate position detection through direct mechanical contact. This substitution eliminates the fragility and environmental sensitivity of electronic components while maintaining detection precision, thereby improving reliability and service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 intelligent lock provides enhanced safety, flexibility, and adaptability to various cargo compartment sizes with independent lock levers and improved detection mechanisms, ensuring secure operation and reducing manufacturing costs compared to traditional systems.

Implementation Method 1

spring-loaded post rods for detection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11613913B2Intelligent lock

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 NUCTECH CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an intelligent lock. In an embodiment, the intelligent lock includes: a lock body having a lock hole; a lock lever, the lock lever being capable of being plugged into and being unplugged out of the lock hole of the lock body; a first restricting member movably provided inside the lock body, and capable of being moved and latched into the lock hole to restrict the plugging of the lock lever into the lock hole or the unplugging of the lock lever out of the lock hole; a second restricting member movably provided inside the lock body, and capable of being abutted against the first restricting member so as to restrict a movement of the first restricting member; a detecting device provided in the lock body, and configured to detect the plugging operation of the lock lever into the lock hole or the unplugging operation of the lock lever out of the lock hole and to send a detection signal; and a main control element communicatively connected to the detecting device, and configured to determine a locking state of the intelligent lock in accordance with the detection signal sent by the detecting device.