Lock Unit Motor Protection via Magnetic Bolt Position Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor-driven door and window locks often subject the electric motor to stress due to forgotten engaged bolts, posing a risk of damage, especially in multi-user environments or rushed situations, as users must manually check the lock status before operating the motor.
Innovation Solution
A lock unit with a magnetic switch unit that uses a neodymium magnetic element and a reed phial sensor to ensure the bolts are fully disengaged before allowing the electric motor to operate, eliminating the need for manual checks and preventing motor stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual lock operation is used, then the user can control the locking status, but the user may forget to disengage bolts before operating the motor, causing motor stress and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic feedback control by using a sensor to detect the bolt position and automatically controlling the motor operation accordingly. The system provides real-time feedback about the locking status to the control unit, which then automatically prevents motor operation when bolts are engaged, eliminating the need for manual checking and ensuring motor protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock system performs self-service by automatically monitoring its own state through the sensor and autonomously controlling the motor based on the detected bolt position. The system serves itself by detecting when bolts are engaged and automatically preventing motor operation, without requiring user intervention or manual checking of the lock status.
2Reliability
If automatic sensor control is implemented, then motor stress is prevented, but the device complexity increases due to additional sensor and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the critical safety function of motor protection from the complex control system and implements it through a simple sensor-based detection mechanism. By separating the detection function (sensor detecting bolt position) from the control function (control unit receiving signal and preventing motor operation), the system achieves reliable motor protection with minimal additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary between the sensor and the motor. The sensor detects the bolt position and sends a signal to the control unit, which then mediates the motor operation by enabling or disabling it based on the detected state. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system architecture while ensuring reliable motor protection.
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 lock unit automatically ensures the electric motor is only activated when the bolts are fully retracted, preventing damage and simplifying the user's process by eliminating the need to manually verify the lock status before operation.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic switch unit (W) configured to provide information on the position of the first drive unit (3) and/or of the second drive unit (4)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Lock unit (1) suitable for doors or windows (6) drivable by an electric motor (M), wherein said lock system unit (1) comprises: - a control member (2), able to couple with a lock cylinder (C) drivable by a key (K), - a first drive unit (3) and a second drive unit (4) which engage with the control member (2) to be rotated around corresponding rotation axes (RI, RII), - at least one of the first drive unit (3) and the second drive unit (4) being connected to a corresponding motion transmission element (Tl, T2) movable along a projection/ retraction direction (DI, DII) with respect to a box-shaped body (5) of the lock unit (1), which is suitable for moving a corresponding bolt (7a, 7b) so as to engage the latter with, and disengage it from, a corresponding blocking seat provided on a wall or fixed subframe, - wherein the first (3) and the second drive unit (4) are rotatable between a first angular position (Al), to which a retracted position of the corresponding motion transmission element/elements (T1, T2) corresponds, and a second angular position (A2), to which corresponds a projected position outside the corresponding motion transmission element/elements (Tl, T2), position indicating controlling means (W), configured to provide information on the position of the first (3) and/or second (4) drive unit 4 to prevent/enable the driving of the electric motor (M) thus preserving the drive unit 4 from a risk of damage resulting from operation under stress.