Electromechanical Lock Assembly with Position Sensing Feedback

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electromechanical key locks face limitations in safety and security due to the lack of effective monitoring and positioning of the lock status, which can lead to unauthorized access.

Innovation Solution

An electromechanical lock assembly with a position sensing device that detects and transmits lock core and body positions to a programmable key, ensuring proper locking and unlocking, and logs user activity for enhanced security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a programmable key is used to power and operate the electromechanical lock, then the lock can be controlled accessibly, but there is no effective monitoring or positioning of the lock status which leads to security limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogrammable key operationVSAvoidsecurity monitoring
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a position sensing device that continuously monitors the lock core position and provides feedback signals to indicate whether the lock is properly locked or unlocked. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable security monitoring while maintaining programmable key operation, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and security reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical key systems with an electromechanical system that uses a programmable key, position sensing device, and electronic feedback signals. This substitution enables both accessible control through programming and reliable security monitoring through electronic position detection, simultaneously achieving ease of operation and security reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If traditional electromechanical locks are used without position sensing, then the device complexity is low, but the ability to detect and monitor lock status is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelock mechanismVSAvoidlock status detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces simple mechanical position indication with electronic position sensing devices that detect lock core position and generate electronic feedback signals. This substitution significantly improves lock status detection capability while adding only minimal complexity to the overall electromechanical system, effectively resolving the contradiction between device complexity and detection difficulty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of manufacture

If no position sensing device is installed, then the manufacturing cost and device complexity are low, but the security monitoring capability and user awareness of lock status are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidlock status information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a position sensing device that provides continuous feedback information about lock status to users through visual or electronic indicators. This feedback system prevents information loss regarding lock status while adding minimal manufacturing complexity, as the sensing device and indicator components are relatively simple to integrate into existing electromechanical lock systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a position sensing device as an intermediary component between the mechanical lock mechanism and the user interface. This intermediary converts mechanical position information into detectable electronic signals that can be displayed to users, ensuring complete lock status information is communicated without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4038583B1Electromechanical lock assembly
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 SWEDLOCK
  • EP4038583B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4038583B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4038583B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

An electromechanical lock assembly (1) comprising a lock body (13), a lock core (21) located at least partially within the lock body (13) and selectively rotatable with respect to the lock body (13), the lock core (21) including a key receptacle (23), a bolt operating member rotationally secured to the lock core (21) and configured to move a lock bolt of a lock (3) for locking and unlocking said lock (3), and a programmable key (12), wherein said electromechanical lock assembly is configured to be powered upon insertion of the programmable key (12) in said key receptacle (23). A position sensing device (27) is arranged to transmit position data to said programmable key (12).