Electronic Lock Housing Retention With Elastomeric Bore Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Retaining housing assemblies of locks at the bore of a door is difficult due to the need for secure and flush mounting with electrical and mechanical connections, making installation challenging.
Innovation Solution
The use of elastomeric retainers that compress and engage within the door bore to retain the position and orientation of the housing assembly, eliminating the need for manual support during installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mounting methods are used to secure the housing assembly flush with the door surface, then the housing assembly is securely retained, but the installation process becomes complex and difficult due to the need for manual support and precise alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric retainer is designed to automatically engage with the door bore and housing assembly without requiring manual support or complex alignment procedures. The retainer's elastic properties enable it to self-adjust and secure the housing assembly in place during installation, eliminating the need for additional fastening operations or precise manual positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric retainer utilizes changes in material properties (elastic deformation) to adapt to the bore dimensions and securely retain the housing assembly. The retainer can be compressed during installation and then expands to engage with the bore walls, providing secure retention through parameter changes in the elastomeric material rather than through complex mechanical fastening.
2Reliability
If the housing assembly is secured with multiple fastening components to ensure stability, then the retention reliability improves, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric retainer combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides structural support, enables secure engagement with the door bore, and ensures stable retention of the housing assembly. This merged design eliminates the need for separate fasteners, gaskets, and alignment features that would otherwise be required in traditional mounting systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric retainer utilizes the flexible properties of elastomeric material to create a thin, adaptable component that can conform to the bore geometry and provide secure retention. The flexibility allows the retainer to engage with the bore walls through elastic deformation rather than through rigid mechanical fastening, reducing overall system complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the housing assembly requires precise alignment and manual support during installation, then the mounting precision is maintained, but the installation time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric retainer is pre-configured with engagement features that automatically align with the housing assembly and door bore during insertion. The retainer's elastic properties allow it to pre-compress and then expand into the bore, maintaining precision through the elastic recovery rather than requiring manual alignment adjustments during installation.
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
Facilitates easy and secure installation of lock assemblies by maintaining the housing assembly's position and orientation without manual support, enhancing installation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
one or more elastomeric retainers coupled to the housing and extending adjacent the one or more bore projections, wherein the one or more elastomeric retainers are configured to be received at least partially within the bore and engage with a sidewall of the bore so as to retain the housing assembly on the door
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic lock assembly includes a housing assembly with one or more elastomeric retainers that extend from a rear of the housing assembly. The elastomeric retainers project axially and/or radially from the other components of the housing assembly so as to engage within a bore of a door and facilitate retaining the housing assembly on the door. The elastomeric retainer may at least partially capture a wiring harness and seal the portion of the wiring harness extending from the housing assembly.