Electro-mechanical Lock Clutch Coordination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electro-mechanical lock structures with clutch mechanisms often experience unsmooth operations and mutual interference between electric and manual control methods, causing inconvenience to users.
Innovation Solution
The electro-mechanical lock assembly features a casing with an electric control mechanism and a manual control member, including a clutch gear, position member, and rotatable member, which are designed to coordinate smoothly, allowing for improved operation through a first and second coupling mechanism and a restoration spring, preventing interference during electric and manual control operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a clutch mechanism is used to couple or isolate electric and manual control power, then both electric and manual control functions can be performed, but the link design is poor causing unsmooth operation or mutual interference
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a clutch arm for engagement/disengagement, a clutch gear for power transmission, and a position member for controlling clutch gear movement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function smoothly without interference from others, resolving the operational conflicts in the link design.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch arm acts as an intermediary component between the position member and the clutch gear. It mediates the power transmission by engaging or disengaging the clutch gear from the rotatable member based on the position member's state, ensuring smooth transition between electric and manual control modes without direct interference.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electric control mechanism is added to the lock structure, then electric control capability is achieved, but mutual interference with manual control operations occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The clutch mechanism dynamically engages or disengages the clutch gear based on operational needs. During manual operation, the clutch arm disengages the clutch gear to isolate electric control from manual operation. During electric operation, the clutch arm engages the clutch gear to transmit motor power. This dynamic state change prevents mutual interference and ensures reliable operation of both control modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric control power transmission path is extracted or isolated from the manual control path through the clutch mechanism. When manual control is active, the clutch arm disengages the clutch gear, effectively taking out the electric power transmission from the operational chain, preventing interference with manual operation.
3Extent of automation
If the clutch gear is designed to drive the rotatable member, then electric control function is achieved, but poor link coordination causes operational interference
Solution Approach 1:
The position member provides feedback control for the clutch gear's position. It controls the movement of the clutch gear to ensure proper engagement and disengagement timing. This feedback mechanism ensures that the clutch gear is in the correct position to drive the rotatable member during electric control while preventing interference during manual operation, achieving smooth coordinated operation.
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 improved coordination among the clutch gear, position member, and rotatable member ensures smooth and interference-free operation for both electric and manual control methods, enhancing user convenience and reducing the likelihood of deadlock situations.
Implementation Method 1
a motor capable of driving the clutch gear
Implementation Method 2
at least one elastic member disposed between the base and the position member
Data Source
AI summary
An electro-mechanical lock assembly comprises a casing, an electric control mechanism and a manual control member. The casing has a base and an axial bore formed at the base. The manual control member is installed penetrating the axial bore of the casing and has a knob and a spindle coupled to the knob. The electric control mechanism is disposed within the casing and comprises a control switch, a rotatable member capable of actuating the control switch, a clutch gear capable of driving the rotatable member, a position member capable of controlling movement of the clutch gear and a motor capable of driving the clutch gear. The rotatable member is coupled to the spindle of the manual control member and has at least one first coupling portion. The clutch gear has at least one second coupling portion corresponding to the first coupling portion. The second coupling portion is capable of being moved along the spindle to catch with the first coupling portion of the rotatable member. The spindle is installed penetrating the axial bore of the casing and one end of the spindle is coupled to the rotatable member of the electric control mechanism.