Electromechanical Lock Coupling With Output Position Feedback
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric lock systems lack a clear indication to users about the lock's actual locked or unlocked status, leading to potential security risks and user confusion.
Innovation Solution
A lock device equipped with an electromechanical coupling system and a sensor that generates a position signal indicative of the bolt's position, providing feedback to the user through an electric control system and user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a sensor reading the position of a bolt is provided in a lock case to indicate locked/unlocked status, then the user can verify the lock status, but the design becomes complicated and retrofitting becomes very difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary mechanism (the output member's rotational position coupled through the electromechanical coupling device) to indirectly indicate the lock status. Instead of directly sensing the bolt position, the system senses the output member's position, which serves as a mediator that reflects the lock state without requiring direct bolt engagement sensing. This reduces design complexity while maintaining status indication capability.
2Ease of operation
If the coupling device is brought to the coupled state at an arbitrary rotational position of the input member, then the locking/unlocking function is achieved, but the rotational position of the output member cannot be determined based on the input member position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using a sensor to detect the rotational position of the output member and provide this information back to the user interface. This allows the system to maintain flexibility in activating the coupled state at any input member position while simultaneously providing accurate output member position information to the user, resolving the information loss problem.
3Adaptability or versatility
If no measures are taken to prevent the bolt from remaining in an intermediate position, then the lock system can operate flexibly, but the lock system may fail to meet lock standards due to potential security risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a control logic that checks the output member's rotational position before allowing the coupled state to be deactivated. The system ensures the bolt has reached the correct final position (locked or unlocked) before permitting key removal or state change, preventing intermediate position security risks while maintaining operational flexibility through clear position feedback.
Data Source
AI summary
A lock device comprising an input member rotatable about an input axis; an output member rotatable about an output axis; an electromechanical coupling device configured to adopt an uncoupled state, where rotation of the input member about the input axis is not transmitted to a rotation of the output member about the output axis, and a coupled state, where rotation of the input member about the input axis can be transmitted to a rotation of the output member about the output axis; an electric control system configured to control the coupling device to switch between the uncoupled state and the coupled state; and a sensor in signal communication with the control system, the sensor being configured to generate a position signal indicative of a position of the output member about the output axis. A lock system comprising a lock device is also provided.