Locking unit, housing having a locking unit, and method for unlocking one or more doors of the housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current parcel delivery systems, such as parcel boxes and mailboxes, face challenges in allowing secure and convenient delivery and retrieval of parcels without requiring the mailbox to be opened, especially for working individuals who are often absent during delivery times, and existing solutions often require multiple key systems or decentralized management efforts.
Innovation Solution
A locking unit with a common drive element that allows for separate and secure unlocking of parcel and letter compartments using a modular design, where a single drive element can unlock either one group of doors or all doors, enabling independent access to parcels and letters without opening the mailbox, and incorporates snap locks and electronic authentication for secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate locks are provided for parcel compartment door and mailbox door, then secure access control is achieved, but the user must keep two different key systems increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate locking mechanisms into a single integrated locking unit with one common lock cylinder. The locking unit controls both the parcel compartment door and the mailbox door through a unified mechanism, allowing users to access both compartments using a single key system while maintaining secure access control for different user groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The single lock cylinder is designed to perform multiple functions by controlling access to different compartments based on authentication results. The locking unit can selectively unlock the parcel compartment for delivery personnel while keeping the mailbox locked, or unlock both compartments for authorized users, eliminating the need for separate key systems.
2Ease of operation
If the mailbox door must be opened to deposit parcels, then direct access to parcel compartment is achieved, but security and privacy of the mailbox is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the housing into separate functional compartments (parcel compartment and mailbox) with independent doors. The locking unit enables selective unlocking of the parcel compartment door without affecting the mailbox door, allowing delivery personnel to access the parcel compartment while the mailbox remains securely locked and private.
3Device complexity
If a common drive element unlocks all doors, then simplified actuation is achieved, but selective access control for different user groups becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit incorporates a dynamic control mechanism where the common drive element's effect is modulated based on authentication results. The system can selectively engage the drive element to unlock only specific doors (parcel compartment or both parcel and mailbox) depending on the user's authorization level, maintaining both simplified actuation and flexible access control.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a locking unit for a housing (3), in particular for a container for receiving objects, comprising at least two doors (6, 7) for locking each housing opening (4, 5), in particular receiving compartments. The locking unit (1) has a locking element module (9, 10) for each of the doors (6, 7), said module having at least one locking body (11) and a locking drive (12) for actuating the locking body (11). The locking drive (12) has a common drive element (13) for the locking element modules (9, 10), which drive element can be moved about a displacement path, and which, in a first displacement position, brings the locking body/ies (11), for only one of the doors (6) or only a first group of doors (6), of the doors into an unlocking position, and in a second displacement position, brings the locking body (11) for all doors (6, 7) into an unlocking position. The invention also relates to a housing (3) comprising a locking unit (1) of this type, and to a method for unlocking one or more doors (6, 7) of a housing (3) of this type.