Lock/Unlock Indicator with Voltage-Controlled Lamella
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door locks lack a clear and reliable visual indicator for their lock/unlock status, which can lead to confusion and security issues, especially in exit doors where access needs to be restricted.
Innovation Solution
A locking assembly with a visual indicator system that uses a top lamella with adjustable opacity to selectively block or allow visualization of lock and unlock indicators based on voltage control, ensuring that only one indicator is visible at a time, depending on the lock's condition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If both lock and unlock indicators are always visible, then users can always see the indicator, but it causes confusion and misinterpretation of the lock status
Solution Approach 1:
The top lamella is made dynamically controllable through voltage application, allowing it to switch between blocking and non-blocking states. This dynamic behavior enables the system to adaptively control which indicator is visible based on lock status, resolving the contradiction between providing clear information and avoiding confusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The opacity of the top lamella is changed as a controllable parameter through voltage application. When voltage is applied, the lamella becomes opaque to block the lock indicator; when voltage is removed, it becomes transparent to allow visualization. This parameter change enables selective visibility without adding mechanical complexity.
2Reliability
If a top lamella with voltage control is added to selectively block indicators, then clear visual indication is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical indicator switching mechanisms with an electrical field-based solution. The top lamella uses voltage-controlled opacity changes rather than mechanical movement or multiple physical components, achieving reliable indicator control with simpler overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The top lamella serves multiple functions: it acts as a protective cover, a visual element, and a controllable opacity modulator. By integrating these functions into a single component, the patent avoids adding separate mechanical switching devices, thereby maintaining simplicity while achieving reliable indicator control.
3Ease of operation
If the top lamella is always transparent, then both indicators are visible causing false flags, but if always opaque then no indicator is visible
Solution Approach 1:
The voltage delivery to the top lamella operates periodically or intermittently based on lock status changes rather than continuously. The system applies voltage only when needed to switch between locked and unlocked states, minimizing energy consumption while maintaining proper indicator visibility control.
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
Provides a clear and intuitive visual indication of the lock's status, enhancing security and user understanding of the lock's condition without the risk of false flags or misinterpretation.
Implementation Method 1
A locking assembly with a visual indicator system that uses a top lamella with adjustable opacity to selectively block or allow visualization of lock and unlock indicators based on voltage control
Data Source
AI summary
A visual indicator of lock status is disclosed. The visual indicator may include a locked indica and an unlocked indica. The locked indica and the unlocked indica may be selectively covered by an LCD shutter. The locked indica and the unlocked indica may be selectively viewable through a window due to a lateral translation.