Keyless Lock Battery Access via Movable Control Module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing locks with integrated energy sources, such as batteries, require laborious and complicated procedures for access and replacement due to their compact design, necessitating demounting of lock components.

Innovation Solution

A lock design that separates the chassis and a movable control module, allowing access to the energy source without demounting, by incorporating the control means into the module and enabling sliding or pivoting motion relative to the chassis, with secure electrical connections and a releasable securing mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a lock body is divided into a head portion and a shank portion with a transverse fracture surface, then the lock can be broken open by applying force to snap the shank, but the lock may remain stuck in the closed position after breaking due to deformation of the lock body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of breaking open the lockVSAvoidease of removing the lock from the hasp
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is extracted from the lock body by breaking the shank portion at the transverse fracture surface, separating the locking function from the body structure. This allows the lock to be broken open quickly while the hasp remains intact for removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The lock body is segmented into a head portion and a shank portion with a defined fracture surface, allowing the shank to break independently at a predetermined location without damaging the hasp or requiring removal of the entire lock assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If a padlock has a shackle that is rigid and resistant to cutting, then the padlock provides strong security, but the shackle cannot be opened by bending or snapping forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to cutting and forced entryVSAvoidability to open the padlock
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shackle transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic component with a predetermined fracture surface that allows controlled breaking. The shank portion is designed to fail in a specific manner under excessive force, providing both security during normal use and emergency release capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The transverse fracture surface is pre-formed in the shank portion during manufacturing, preparing the weak point in advance so that when breaking force is applied, the shank snaps cleanly at the predetermined location rather than requiring forceful breaking anywhere along the shackle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the lock body is made as a single solid piece, then the lock structure is simple and strong, but the lock cannot be broken open quickly without damaging the hasp

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of lock structureVSAvoidspeed of breaking open the lock
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock body is divided into distinct portions (head and shank) with a defined fracture surface between them, maintaining overall structural simplicity while enabling quick breaking at the predetermined location without damaging the hasp or requiring complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4320324B1Energy source access in a lock
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 CODELOCKS INT LTD
  • EP4320324B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4320324B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A surface-mounted keylessly operated lock (10) comprises a chassis (11) mountable on one of two parts, especially a door and a door surround, to be locked and unlocked relative to one another and carrying locking means (17 to 23) transferrable between a locking state and an unlocking state respectively for the locking and unlocking, the locking means being electrically operable to cause or allow transfer from the locking state to the unlocking state. In addition, the lock includes a control module (16) mounted on the chassis (11) and carrying control means (30) for controlling supply of electrical operating power to the locking means. The chassis has a receptacle (25) for reception of an electrical energy source, especially batteries, for providing the operating power and the module (16) inclusive of the control means (20) is movable relative to the chassis (11) to permit access to the receptacle (25) to enable battery exchange without demounting of the installed lock.