Electromechanical Lock Actuator with Resilient Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromechanical lock arrangements face challenges in enhancing security, reducing manipulation risks, optimizing space usage, and minimizing power consumption, while preventing unauthorized access and impacts.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical lock arrangement featuring an electric actuator with a bidirectionally rotatable shaft, a longitudinally displaceable sled with a resilient latch, and a helical spring that engages an external thread, allowing efficient locking and unlocking while preventing manipulation through impacts, and utilizing a guide mechanism for rectilinear displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional actuators are used in electromechanical lock arrangements, then the basic locking and unlocking function is achieved, but the device occupies more space and consumes more power
Solution Approach 1:
The sled is received within the actuator housing, and the resilient latch is received within the sled, creating a nested configuration where smaller components are housed within larger ones. This nesting approach minimizes the overall volume of the actuator while maintaining all necessary functional components for secure locking and unlocking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator is divided into distinct functional segments: the motor portion, the sled with resilient latch, and the blocking member. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while collectively achieving compact dimensions and high reliability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If traditional actuators are used in electromechanical lock arrangements, then the basic locking and unlocking function is achieved, but the power consumption is higher
Solution Approach 1:
The motor is activated only periodically to advance or retract the sled by incremental amounts corresponding to the pitch of the external thread portion. This periodic activation rather than continuous operation significantly reduces power consumption while maintaining secure locking and unlocking functionality through controlled, step-by-step movement.
3Ease of operation
If the actuator allows easy operation for authorized users, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of manipulation through impacts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient latch is pre-configured to engage with the shaft at a first axial position, creating a preliminary blocking action that prevents the sled from being forced by impacts. This preliminary anti-action occurs before any unauthorized manipulation attempt, automatically blocking harmful forces while allowing legitimate rotational actuation to proceed.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient latch provides dynamic response to applied forces: it remains engaged to block impacts but can be displaced when proper rotational torque is applied. This dynamic behavior allows the system to differentiate between harmful impact forces and legitimate unlocking operations, maintaining both security and ease of authorized operation.
4Device complexity
If the actuator design is simplified to reduce complexity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the security against manipulation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient latch and blocking member functions are merged into a single integrated component that performs both resilient engagement and impact blocking. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and assembly steps, simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive security against manipulation attempts.
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 solution provides enhanced security, reduces the risk of manipulation, operates efficiently with low power consumption, and requires minimal space, ensuring authorized access while preventing unauthorized unlocking attempts.
Implementation Method 1
The sled comprises a resilient latch which is arranged to block longitudinal displacement of the sled in a first longitudinal direction
Implementation Method 2
a bidirectionally rotatable shaft which is connected to the electric motor and which comprises an external helical thread portion, and a linearly displaceable sled comprising an engagement portion which is arranged to engage the external thread portion for driving the sled longitudinally along the rotational axis upon rotation of the shaft
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a
AI summary
Electromechanical lock arrangement (10) with an electric actuator (20) which actuator comprises; an electric motor (30) with a bidirectionally rotatable output shaft (32), a drive shaft (40) which is connected to or formed integral with the output shaft (32) and which comprises an external helical thread portion (43), and a linearly displaceable sled (50) comprising an engagement portion which is arranged to engage the external thread portion (43) for driving the sled (50) longitudinally along the rotational axis upon rotation of the drive shaft (40). The sled (50) comprises a resilient latch (56) which is arranged to block longitudinal displacement of the sled (50) in a first longitudinal direction, at a first axial position when the drive shaft (40) is not rotating and to allow longitudinal displacement of the sled (50) in the first longitudinal direction, past the first axial position, when the drive shaft (40) is rotating.