Electromechanical Lock Actuator Vibratory Decoupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electromechanical lock actuation devices generate noise and vibrations due to their hollow housing and mechanical components, which can cause resonance and deformation when mounted on non-flat surfaces, leading to unpleasant sounds and vibration transmission.

Innovation Solution

An electromechanical lock actuation device with a support fixed to the external housing via a rigid embedding connection, incorporating damping elements made of elastically deformable material for vibrational decoupling, and a clutch mechanism with satellite wheels for controlled rotation, reducing noise and vibration transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a hollow housing is used for the electromechanical lock actuating device, then the device structure is simplified and manufacturing cost is reduced, but noise and vibrations are amplified due to resonance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidnoise and vibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces damping elements as intermediary components between the hollow housing and the mechanical components (actuator, coupling mechanism). These damping elements act as mediators that absorb and dissipate vibrations, preventing the hollow housing from resonating and amplifying noise, while maintaining the structural simplicity of the hollow housing design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful resonance effect of the hollow housing into a beneficial vibration-damping structure by strategically placing damping elements within the hollow housing. The hollow housing, which originally amplifies noise, becomes a vibration isolation chamber that protects external components from mechanical vibrations while maintaining its manufacturing advantages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Device complexity

If mechanical components (actuator, coupling mechanism) are mounted directly on the housing, then device complexity is reduced, but vibrations are transmitted to the opening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting structure complexityVSAvoidvibration transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces damping elements as intermediary mounting components between the mechanical components and the hollow housing. These damping elements serve as vibration-isolating intermediaries that decouple the mechanical components from the housing structure, preventing vibration transmission to the opening while maintaining a relatively simple mounting structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the mounting structure into distinct functional zones: a rigid mounting base for securing the actuator, flexible damping elements for vibration isolation, and a mounting interface for the coupling mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally while working together as an integrated system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the device is mounted on a non-flat surface, then installation flexibility is improved, but deformation occurs leading to irregular sounds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting surface adaptabilityVSAvoidirregular sounds from deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces flexible damping elements that can dynamically adapt to non-flat mounting surfaces. These elements deform elastically to accommodate surface irregularities, maintaining secure mounting while isolating the mechanical components from deformation-induced vibrations that would otherwise generate irregular sounds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the mounting system by using viscoelastic damping materials with specific damping coefficients and thicknesses. These parameter adjustments allow the mounting structure to absorb dimensional variations from non-flat surfaces while maintaining stable mechanical component positioning and preventing irregular sound generation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively minimizes noise pollution and vibration transmission to the opening, maintaining stability and regular sound even when mounted on non-flat surfaces, by decoupling vibrations and ensuring precise rotational control.

Implementation Method 1

damping elements made of elastically deformable material ensuring a damped mechanical connection of the support to the external housing providing vibration decoupling between the support and the external housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

damping elements made of elastically deformable material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3690170B1Electromechanical lock operation device with vibratory decoupling
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 MYFOX
  • EP3690170B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3690170B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3690170B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An electromechanical lock actuation device (10) includes an external housing (18) intended to be fixed on a face (201) of an opening (200), a coupling mechanism (11) disposed in an internal volume delimited by the external housing (18), movable in rotation relative to the external housing (18) and capable of being rotationally fixed with a rotor of a lock cylinder (101) of the lock (100), an actuator (13) comprising an electric motor and a speed reducer, and enabling the coupling mechanism (11) to be driven in rotation electrically.The device (10) advantageously comprises a support (16) disposed in the internal volume delimited by the external housing (18) and on which the actuator (13) is fixed according to a rigid fixed connection, and damping elements (24) made of elastically deformable material ensuring a damped mechanical connection of the support (16) to the external housing (18) conferring vibrational decoupling between the support (16) and the external housing (18).