Lock Assembly with Segmented Hub for Manual Override
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrically controllable locks face issues such as requiring manual or guard intervention until door control and monitoring electrics are operational, and they must be set to either fail safe or fail secure, which may not be suitable for all situations, leading to security and access control challenges, especially during power failures or when control systems are compromised.
Innovation Solution
A lock assembly with a combination of an electrically powered hub locker assembly and a manually driven hub locker assembly, allowing independent configuration for fail safe or fail secure operations, enabling manual locking and unlocking even without power, and providing security when power is unavailable or control systems are compromised.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrically controllable lock is installed, then security and access control are improved, but the lock cannot be used until door control and monitoring electrics are installed and fully operational, requiring additional manual locks or guards
Solution Approach 1:
The lock assembly is divided into two independent hub locker assemblies: an electrically powered hub locker assembly for automated control and a manually driven hub locker assembly for mechanical operation. This segmentation allows the lock to function in multiple modes - fully automated when electrics are operational, and manually overrideable during installation or maintenance phases, eliminating the need for separate manual locks or guards
Solution Approach 2:
The hub assembly is designed to accept both electrical and manual drive mechanisms through universal interface features. The hub locker assembly can be operated by torque applied to the hub from either an electrical motor or manual key/turn button, allowing a single lock assembly to serve both automated security control and manual operation needs across different operational phases
2Reliability
If a lock is set to fail safe operation, then security during power failures is improved by automatic unlocking, but the ability to lock the door during installation or maintenance is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The hub locker assembly's operational mode is dynamic and adaptable. When electrical power is available and the electrical hub locker is functional, the system operates in fail-safe mode where power failure automatically unlocks the door. When electrical power is unavailable or the electrical hub locker is non-functional, the manual hub locker assembly becomes the active mechanism, allowing the door to be locked and secured during installation or maintenance phases
3Reliability
If a lock is set to fail secure operation, then security during power failures is improved by automatic locking, but the flexibility to choose appropriate security settings for different uses is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic adaptability in security configuration. The electrical hub locker assembly can be programmed to operate in either fail-safe or fail-secure mode based on the specific application requirements. This configurability allows the same lock assembly to be adapted to different security needs - hospitals or emergency exits requiring fail-safe operation, or secure facilities requiring fail-secure operation - without sacrificing the ability to manually override when needed
4Ease of operation
If remote control of the lock is implemented, then access control is improved, but security is compromised when the remote control system is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The manual hub locker assembly serves as an intermediary backup system between the remote electrical control and the physical lock mechanism. When the remote electrical control system is compromised or malfunctioning, the manual hub locker assembly provides an independent mechanical pathway to secure the door, acting as a mediator that preserves security through a separate, non-electrical control mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A lock assembly including a lock bolt, a first hub, a first electrically powered hub locker assembly and a manually driven hub locker assembly. The lock bolt is movable between a latching position and an unlatching position. The first hub is adapted to move the lock bolt in response to movement of a first handle. The first electrically powered hub locker assembly is positionable to selectively prevent or allow movement of the lock bolt in response to torque being applied to the first handle and is configurable for fail safe operation. The manually driven hub locker assembly is positionable to selectively prevent or allow movement of the lock bolt in response to torque being applied to the first handle.