Electronic Lock Lever Gravity Stabilization Against Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic locks mounted vertically on doors face challenges in maintaining stability against vibrations, which can accidentally unlock the lock due to shocks or vibrations applied to the lock mechanism.

Innovation Solution

The electronic lock design incorporates a locking lever with a center of gravity below the axis of rotation, combined with a non-contact retaining mechanism using permanent magnets and magnetic pieces, ensuring the lever remains in the locked position without mechanical contact with the stator except through the axis of rotation, and utilizes a magnetic field to facilitate unlocking without electrical consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the locking lever is retained in its locking position using only a permanent magnet and magnetic piece arrangement, then the stability against vibrations is improved, but the locking lever may become unstable under strong shock vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of locking positionVSAvoidvibration sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking lever is designed with its center of gravity located below the axis of rotation, creating a gravitational restoring moment that counteracts the destabilizing effect of vibrations. This gravitational counterbalance works in conjunction with the magnetic retaining force to maintain stable locking position even under strong shock vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Reliability

If the locking lever is mechanically in contact with the stator only via its axis of rotation, then the stability against vibrations is improved, but the locking lever requires additional retaining force to maintain position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of locking positionVSAvoidmagnetic retaining force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

By positioning the center of gravity below the rotation axis, the gravitational force creates a stabilizing moment that reduces the burden on the magnetic retaining force. The gravitational restoring moment works synergistically with the magnetic force, allowing the lever to maintain stable locking position with reduced magnetic force requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

3Device complexity

If the center of gravity of the locking lever is located on the axis of rotation, then the locking mechanism is simpler, but the stability against vibrations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking mechanism complexityVSAvoidstability of locking position
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking lever is deliberately designed with asymmetric mass distribution, positioning the center of gravity below the rotation axis rather than on the axis. This asymmetric configuration creates a gravitational restoring moment that enhances vibration resistance and improves the stability of the locking position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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

This configuration enhances the stability of the locking position against vibrations, requiring specific resonance frequency vibrations to unlock the lock, thereby reducing accidental unlocking and maintaining stability without additional springs or increased magnetic force.

Implementation Method 1

a non-contact retaining mechanism of the locking lever in its locking position so that in its locking position, the locking lever is mechanically in contact with the stator only via its axis of rotation in the absence of a key inside the channel, this retaining mechanism comprising for this purpose at least one permanent magnet and at least one magnetic piece attracted by this permanent magnet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

The invention aims to provide an alternative solution that is just as stable, or even more stable, with respect to vibrations in the particular case of locks intended to be mounted vertically in a door

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3498948B1Electronic lock
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 COGELEC
  • EP3498948B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3498948B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3498948B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Electronic lock in which: - the center of gravity of a locking lever (34) is located at least 0.1 mm below a horizontal plane passing through an axis (36) of rotation of this lever (34) when the locking lever is in a locked position, and/or - a contactless retention mechanism (30, 33a, 38, 45, 46) for the locking lever (34) in its locked position, includes a memory arm (38) that can be rotated independently of the locking lever around the axis (36) of rotation, between a rest position and a memory position, the center of gravity of the memory arm being located at least 0.1 mm below the horizontal plane passing through the axis (36) of rotation when the memory arm is in its rest position.