Motor-Operated Lock Power Reserve via Supercapacitor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor-operated door locks fail to ensure reliable operation during power interruptions, as the engagement element or mandrel can become stuck with the slider, preventing the bolt from moving into its locking position, which is critical for fire or panic doors.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an energy-storing element, such as a supercapacitor, within the lock housing that can provide power to move the engagement means out of contact with the slider during a power failure, ensuring the lock can still function and reducing assembly effort and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an energy storage element is integrated into the lock housing to provide power during interruptions, then the reliability of the lock operation during power failure is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage element is integrated directly into the lock housing, merging the power supply function with the existing lock structure. This combination approach provides backup power capability while minimizing additional complexity by using a unified housing structure rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock housing serves multiple functions: it contains the motor-gear unit, the engagement device, and now also houses the energy storage element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate compartments or housings, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving reliability.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the energy storage element is designed with sufficient capacity to operate the motor, then the duration of action during power interruption is improved, but the volume of the energy storage element increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the energy storage element must have an energy density of at least 1 J/cm³. By setting this minimum parameter, the design ensures sufficient operating duration while constraining the volume. High energy density materials or technologies are implied to achieve this balance between duration and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage element is positioned specifically within the lock housing to optimize space utilization. The local integration allows the system to achieve the required duration of action without proportionally increasing the overall lock volume, as the energy storage component shares the housing space with other lock mechanisms.
3Manufacturing precision
If the engagement element is designed to contact the slide for precise control, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the risk of blockage during power failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage element provides preliminary anti-action by ensuring the engagement element can be moved out of contact with the slide before a power failure completely blocks the mechanism. The backup power allows the system to counteract the blocking tendency by actively moving the engagement element to a disengaged position, preventing the slide from becoming stuck.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to detect power failures and activate the energy storage element to move the engagement element out of contact with the slide as a preliminary action. This preventive measure occurs before the slide can become blocked, maintaining reliability while preserving the precise engagement design for normal operation.
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 energy-storing element allows the motor-gear unit to maintain operation for a sufficient duration to move the engagement device out of contact with the slider, ensuring the lock can be moved into a predefined position, even during power failures, thus maintaining the functionality of fire or panic doors without increasing spatial requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The energy in the energy storage element is essentially stored electrostatically, wherein the energy storage element has an energy density of at least 1 J/cm3
Data Source
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AI summary
Device (1) for a door for supplying electrical power to a motor-operated lock (2), in particular for a self-locking panic lock, wherein the lock (2) comprises a lock housing (3), a lock latch (10) movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, a translationally movable slide (15) and a locking mechanism (23) on which the slide (15) acts and thereby releases the lock latch (10), and wherein the lock (2) comprises a motor-gear unit comprising at least one motor (13) for moving the slide (15) via an engagement device (20).According to the invention, it is provided that an energy storage element (6) can be integrated into the lock housing (3), and that the energy storage element (6) can be connected to a voltage source, and wherein the energy storage element (6) is designed at least such that in the event of a power failure or interruption, the motor (13) can be operated electrically in order to move the engagement device (20) from a contact position with the slide (15).