Mechanical Lock State Indicator With Two-Color Slider Window

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing locks, particularly in electronic and mechanical lockers, often require users to physically interact or be close to determine their open or closed state, which can be difficult due to reliance on power-dependent indicators or poor visibility from a distance.

Innovation Solution

An identifier with a slider having two distinct colors and a viewer cover displaying these colors through a window, indicating lock states (open or closed) via a movable locking tab, using a drive shaft and guide mechanism for smooth operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If electronic locks with LED indicators are used to show lock state, then the lock state can be indicated, but the device complexity and power requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelock state visibilityVSAvoidpower supply system

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power-dependent LED indicator from the lock system and replaces it with a purely mechanical color-display mechanism. The slider with colored surfaces and window structure eliminates the need for electronic power supply while maintaining the information display function, directly resolving the contradiction between visibility and device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electronic indicator system (LEDs requiring power supply) with a mechanical color-display system using sliders, colored surfaces, and window structures. This substitution eliminates power requirements while preserving the lock state indication function, addressing both the visibility need and the complexity/power issue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If LED indicators are used to show lock state, then the lock state can be indicated, but the product price increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelock state visibilityVSAvoidproduct cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs simple, inexpensive mechanical components (sliders, colored surfaces, window structures) to replace expensive electronic indicators. These basic mechanical elements are cheaper to manufacture and assemble than LED systems with power supply requirements, directly addressing the cost issue while maintaining the information display function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Loss of information

If red or green lights are used to indicate lock state, then the lock state can be shown, but the user cannot perceive the color or light from a distance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelock state indicationVSAvoidvisibility distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses distinct colored surfaces (red and green) on the slider that are visible through the window structure. The color-based indication system provides high visual contrast and can be perceived from a distance without requiring illumination, directly resolving the visibility distance problem while maintaining clear lock state indication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260022587A1Identifier of the State of a Lock

Publication Date: 2026.01.22 OJMAR

AI summary

Disclosed is an identifier of the state of a lock, the lock including a locking tab designed to move between a distal position and a proximal position to close/open the lock. The identifier includes a slider attached to the tab and provided with a surface having two colours, on which surface is provided a viewer cover with a window, through which one of the colours is displayed according to the position of the locking tab, thereby indicating the closed/open state of the lock.