Lock Fluid Guard With Capillary Absorber for Capacitive Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluids can adversely impact the operation of electronic and mechanical locks by causing short circuits, disrupting communication, and leading to rust or deterioration, particularly in electronic locks with capacitive interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A fluid guard comprising a guard head, guard body, and hinge, equipped with a fluid absorber, is used to prevent fluid contact with the lock face, featuring a fastening mechanism and aperture to secure the guard in place, and a hinge to define open and closed positions, while the absorber wicks away fluids from the lock face.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fluid guard with absorber is added to protect the lock, then fluid protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid guard is divided into separate functional components: a guard body for structural support and mounting, a guard head for direct fluid blocking, and a fluid absorber for liquid removal. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system reliability without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid absorber acts as an intermediary element between the guard head and the lock face. It provides an additional layer of protection by absorbing fluids that penetrate the guard structure, thereby enhancing fluid protection while keeping the overall design manageable through a clear functional hierarchy.
2Reliability
If the guard head is made sealed to prevent fluid flow, then fluid protection is improved, but access for key insertion and operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The guard head is segmented with a sealed portion for fluid protection and an unsealed aperture portion for key insertion. This segmentation allows the guard to maintain fluid protection while providing necessary access points for lock operation, resolving the contradiction between sealing and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the guard head have different properties: the main body is sealed to block fluids, while the aperture area is intentionally left unsealed to allow key insertion. This local differentiation of properties enables simultaneous achievement of fluid protection and operational accessibility.
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 fluid guard effectively prevents fluid interference with lock operations, maintaining functionality by reducing fluid contact and enhancing capacitive communication between the lock and key.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid absorber may contact the face of the electronic lock and to thereby absorb fluid off of the face of the electronic lock
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are example fluid guards that can be used with locking devices. Various aspects may be particularly applicable to electrical locks, but they may also be applicable to mechanical locks. A locking device guard can include a guard cover, a fluid absorber, and a coupling element. The fluid absorber can be configured in a closed configuration to fit at least partially within a cup of a lock face. The coupling element can be configured to couple the guard cover to the lock and can define a second axis. The coupling element can be configured to allow the guard cover to rotate about the second axis.