Lock Cylinder Housing Decoupling for Tool-Free Battery Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing locks with electronic and secondary cylinder mechanisms make it difficult for authorized personnel to access batteries without tools, while preventing unauthorized access, often requiring complex procedures that may not secure the battery compartment effectively.

Innovation Solution

The lock design allows the cylinder housing to be decoupled from the lower plate using a locking element, enabling authorized individuals to access the battery without tools, while maintaining security by hiding the decoupling mechanism and using a form-fitting operative connection for reliable access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If access to the battery is made difficult to prevent unauthorized removal, then security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lock device is divided into separate functional modules: the housing containing the electronic lock mechanism, and the removable cylinder housing containing the battery. This segmentation allows the battery to be accessed independently through the cylinder housing removal mechanism, providing easy battery replacement while maintaining security of the main lock mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cylinder housing acts as an intermediary component that provides controlled access to the battery. It includes a locking mechanism with a key cylinder that mediates between security requirements and ease of access, allowing authorized persons to remove the cylinder housing and access the battery without compromising the main lock security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the entire lock has to be dismantled to replace the battery, then security is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lock device is divided into separate functional modules: the housing containing the electronic lock mechanism, and the removable cylinder housing containing the battery. This segmentation allows the battery to be accessed independently through the cylinder housing removal mechanism, providing easy battery replacement while maintaining security of the main lock mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The battery access function is extracted from the main lock mechanism and placed in a separate removable cylinder housing. This extraction allows battery replacement to be performed independently without affecting or exposing the main electronic lock mechanism, reducing the complexity of battery access while maintaining overall security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the cylinder housing overlaps the lower plate, then security is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The overlapping arrangement of the cylinder housing and lower plate is implemented only in the specific region where battery access is concerned, while other parts of the lock mechanism maintain their functional requirements. This localized application of the overlapping design minimizes the impact on overall manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The cylinder housing is designed to overlap and partially enclose the lower plate, creating a nested arrangement where the battery compartment is accessible through the cylinder housing while the lower plate remains structurally integrated. This nesting provides security through the overlapping structure while managing manufacturing tolerances through the modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3848541B1Lock
Publication Date: 2022.09.21 W&F LOCKS GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3848541B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3848541B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3848541B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a lock for closing cabinets or containers, which can be mounted externally through an opening (24) in a door (23) or flap. It consists of a cylinder housing (3) and a locking cylinder (2) rotatably mounted therein. The locking cylinder (2) can be operated by means of a key (1). An electronic lock (5) is arranged in the cylinder housing (3) and is connected to a battery (8) located in the cylinder housing (3). A base plate (12) is provided from which the cylinder housing (3) can be detached.