Electrical Key Lock Clutch Mechanism for Manual Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor type electrical locks face difficulties in manual operation due to fixed power transfer paths, making it hard for users to rotate the thumb-turn, especially for children and the elderly, and existing solutions with backlash or rotation measurement sensors consume excessive power.
Innovation Solution
The electrical key lock device incorporates a mechanism with a planet gear and clutch system that allows motor-driven rotation of the thumb-turn and enables easy manual operation by transferring power only when needed, using a torque limiter and rotation measuring unit to reduce load and conserve energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a fixed power transfer path is used between the motor and thumb-turn, then motor-driven rotation is achieved, but manual operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The power transfer path is made dynamic through a clutch mechanism that can switch between engaged and disengaged states. When engaged, the motor can drive the thumb-turn; when disengaged, manual operation is enabled. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt its power transfer characteristics based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
A clutch mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the motor and the thumb-turn. This intermediary component controls the power transfer path, allowing it to be connected when motor driving is needed and disconnected when manual operation is required, thus enabling both automated and manual operation modes.
2Loss of information
If a rotation measurement sensor is installed to detect manual operations, then operation recording is enabled, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electronic rotation measurement sensors with a mechanical detection mechanism. The clutch mechanism itself, through its engagement and disengagement states, mechanically indicates whether manual operation is occurring. This mechanical indication system eliminates the need for continuous operation of electronic sensors, significantly reducing power consumption while still enabling operation recording.
3Ease of operation
If the clutch mechanism is added to enable manual operation, then ease of manual operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism serves multiple functions: it enables manual operation by disconnecting the motor, transfers motor power when engaged, and provides mechanical indication of manual operation status. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single mechanism, the patent minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving the desired ease of manual operation.
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 effortless rotation of the thumb-turn by both motor and manual operation, reducing power consumption for recording manual operations and accommodating larger rotation angles, thus improving usability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a transfer path of driving power of the motor is fixed between a gear for rotating the thumb-turn and the motor
Implementation Method 2
using a torque limiter and rotation measuring unit to reduce load and conserve energy
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided an electrical key lock device (10-1), including a second gear (110) configured to rotate by driving power received from a motor (178), a first gear (100) configured to transfer the driving power, received through the rotation of the second gear (110), to an external rotational element (1020), and a third gear (124a, 124b) arranged between the second gear (110) and the first gear (100) and configured to transfer the driving power generated by the motor (178) to the first gear (100). The third gear (124a, 124b) enables switching between closing and opening of a transfer path of the driving power between the second gear (110) and the first gear (100).