Redundant Lock Actuation Decoupling to Reduce Wear and Drive Force

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic locking devices with redundant manual operation capability suffer from increased wear and tear due to the interface between the lock bar and electronic components interacting when switching between manual and electronic modes, leading to higher power or manual drive force requirements.

Innovation Solution

A redundant actuation lock apparatus that decouples the lock bar interface from the manual key lock mechanism in electronic mode and from the electronic lock mechanism in manual key mode, using a flexible biasing member and a decoupling device to ensure independent operation of both mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the lock bar interface interacts with both manual key lock mechanism and electronic lock mechanism simultaneously, then redundant operation capability is provided, but wear and tear on components increases and power drive force requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveredundant operation capabilityVSAvoidwear and tear

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lock bar interface is segmented into two separate interfaces: one for the manual key lock mechanism and one for the electronic lock mechanism. This segmentation allows each interface to operate independently without interacting with the other, eliminating wear and tear caused by simultaneous interaction while maintaining both manual and electronic operation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A decoupling device is introduced as an intermediary between the lock bar interface and the two locking mechanisms. This decoupling device selectively couples or decouples the lock bar interface from either the manual key lock mechanism or the electronic lock mechanism, preventing harmful interactions while preserving redundant operation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the lock bar interface interacts with both manual key lock mechanism and electronic lock mechanism simultaneously, then redundant operation capability is provided, but power drive force requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveredundant operation capabilityVSAvoidpower drive force

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The lock bar interface is segmented into separate interfaces for manual and electronic operation. This segmentation eliminates the need for the power drive mechanism to overcome friction and resistance from simultaneous interactions, reducing the power drive force requirements while maintaining both operation modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The decoupling device acts as an intermediary that reduces the force requirements by preventing simultaneous engagement. When decoupled from the electronic mechanism, the power drive only needs to overcome manual operation resistance, and vice versa, significantly reducing peak force requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the interface continues interacting with electronic locking device components during manual operation, then redundant operation is enabled, but component wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual operation capabilityVSAvoidcomponent lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful interaction between the lock bar interface and electronic locking device components is extracted by introducing a decoupling device. This device selectively disconnects the lock bar interface from the electronic mechanism during manual operation, eliminating wear on electronic components while preserving manual operation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

This solution reduces wear and tear on components, minimizing the force required for operation by allowing independent functioning of the electronic and manual lock mechanisms, thereby extending the device's lifespan and reducing operational effort.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible biasing member operable to bias the gear teeth of the actuator into engagement with the gear teeth of the lock bar interface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20260062959A1Redundant actuation lock decoupling system and methods of use

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 TRANSFORM SR BRANDS LLC

AI summary

A redundant actuation lock apparatus includes an interface, an electronic mechanism, and a manual mechanism. The interface manipulates lock bar(s) into a locked/unlocked position. The electronic mechanism includes an actuator and power drive. The actuator is disengageably coupled to and drives the interface. The power drive is coupled to and drives the actuator in response to a control signal. The manual mechanism includes a key input and an output. The key input receives and rotates with a mechanical key. The output disengageably couples to the interface and rotates with the mechanical key. The actuator is engaged with and the output is disengaged from the interface in an electronic mode, while the actuator is disengaged from and the output is engaged with the interface in a manual mode.