Electric Lock Housing Release Mechanism for Power Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrically operated locking devices lack an effective emergency unlocking mechanism, especially in scenarios where power failure occurs, and may be vulnerable to unauthorized access or require high skill levels for manual operation, particularly in gates that are manually accessible from both sides.
Innovation Solution
An electrically operable locking device with a mechanical locking mechanism, featuring a key-operated cylinder lock and a resilient element, allowing independent unlocking during power failures and ensuring only authorized personnel can access the gate, while being resistant to vandalism and easy to operate by emergency services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If an electrically controlled bolt lock is used for security applications, then remote control capability and access control flexibility are improved, but emergency opening capability deteriorates when power failure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is divided into two independent parts: an electrically controlled bolt mechanism for normal operation and a mechanically operated housing release system for emergencies. The housing containing the bolt can be independently removed from the door assembly through the key-operated cylinder lock, separating the electrical locking function from the emergency release function.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element (spring) automatically urges the housing into the unlocked position when the mechanical locking mechanism is disengaged, eliminating the need for additional manual force or complex mechanisms to return the housing to its initial position after emergency release.
2Reliability
If a mechanical emergency release mechanism is added to electric locks, then emergency opening capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency release function is extracted as a separate mechanical subsystem involving a key-operated cylinder lock and housing release mechanism, independent from the electrical bolt control system. This allows the emergency function to be simplified and optimized separately from the automated locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of designing a complex mechanical override system to move the bolt back during emergencies, the invention inverts the approach by designing a simple mechanism that releases the entire housing from the door assembly, allowing the housing to be manually removed and the bolt to follow passively.
3Reliability
If a pin mechanism is used for emergency release as described in FR 2 592 911, then emergency opening is improved, but security against unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A key-operated cylinder lock serves as an intermediary security mechanism between the exterior and interior environments. The key cylinder acts as a controlled interface that only authorized personnel with the correct key can operate, preventing direct access to the emergency release function while maintaining the ability to release the housing during genuine emergencies.
4Ease of operation
If the housing is made manually accessible from both sides for emergency release, then ease of operation is improved, but security against unauthorized access worsens
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the locking system have different accessibility properties: the key-operated cylinder lock is positioned on the interior side requiring authorization, while the housing itself can be accessed from both sides once the mechanical lock is disengaged. This creates a layered security approach where initial access is controlled but emergency release is accessible from either side.
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 device provides reliable emergency access through gates by combining mechanical and electrical mechanisms, ensuring secure and efficient operation even during power outages, with enhanced ergonomics and resistance to unauthorized access.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient element positioned between the frame and the housing and arranged to urge the housing out of its lower (extended) position when it is unlocked from the frame by operation of the key-operated cylinder
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electrically operable locking device (400) for locking a gate (402). The electrical lock has a frame (200) for mounting the locking device (400) to the gate (402), and a housing (300) slidably movable with respect to the frame (200) between an upper position and a lower position and comprising a drop bolt (302) arranged to move between an extended drop bolt position and an retracted drop bolt position and a mechanical locking mechanism (301) arranged to lock and unlock the housing (300) to the frame (200) and comprising a key-operated cylinder lock (303) to unlock the housing (300) to the frame (200). The gate (402) is locked if said housing (300) is in the lower position and said drop bolt (302) is in the extended position. The locking device (400) further has a resilient element (309) positioned between the frame (200) and the housing (300) and arranged to lift the housing (300) relative to the frame (200) when the housing (300) is unlocked from the frame (200) by operation of the key-operated cylinder lock (303).