Magnetic Lock Plunger Alignment via Polarity Codes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional locks are prone to contamination and tampering due to their mechanical design, which compromises their operational life and security.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic lock and key assembly that uses a lock magnet and key magnet with specific polarity codes to automatically align and attract each other, translating a plunger between locked and unlocked positions without the need for a key opening, thus preventing debris entry and enhancing security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a mechanical key opening is used in conventional locks, then the lock can be operated with a key, but debris and contaminants can enter through the opening and foul the internal lock components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical key insertion system with a magnetic field-based operation system. The keyless design eliminates the physical opening that allows debris entry, while magnetic fields provide the necessary operation mechanism through magnetic attraction and repulsion forces that act on magnetic components within the lock body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic fields as an intermediary between the user and the lock mechanism. Instead of direct mechanical contact through a key opening, the user interacts with the lock through magnetic fields generated by external magnets, which then act on the internal magnetic components to operate the lock without requiring physical access through an opening.
2Ease of operation
If a mechanical key opening is provided in conventional locks, then the lock can be unlocked with a key, but nefarious characters can exploit the opening to tamper with and defeat the security aspects of the lock
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mechanical key opening that vulnerabilities exploit by substituting it with a magnetic field-based system. The lock can still be operated through magnetic interaction, but the absence of a physical opening prevents tampering and exploitation by nefarious characters.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic lock system operates autonomously through magnetic field interactions without requiring physical access or manual manipulation through an opening. The lock self-actuates through magnetic attraction and repulsion forces, eliminating the need for a key opening and thereby preventing tampering.
3Reliability
If precision mechanical components are used in conventional locks, then the lock can operate properly, but the components are vulnerable to fouling by debris and water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces precision mechanical components with magnetic components that operate through magnetic field interactions. This substitution eliminates the vulnerability to debris and water fouling, as magnetic fields can penetrate and interact with magnetic materials without requiring direct physical contact or being compromised by contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameter from mechanical contact and precision alignment to magnetic field strength and polarity. This parameter change allows the lock to function without physical contact between components, thereby preventing fouling by debris and water while maintaining proper operation through magnetic attraction and repulsion forces.
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 magnetic lock assembly provides improved operational reliability and security by eliminating the risk of contamination and tampering, while maintaining the lock's internal components free from debris and external interference.
Implementation Method 1
the key magnet has an end defined by a key magnet north pole and a key magnet south pole. At least one of the lock magnet is rotatably supported by the lock body and the key magnet is rotatably supported by the collet to facilitate automatic magnetic attractive alignment of the lock magnet and the key magnet about the longitudinal axial direction. This also facilitates magnetic attraction between the lock magnet north pole and the key magnet south pole and between the lock magnet south pole and the key magnet north pole to translate the plunger to the unlocked position.
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic lock and key assembly includes a magnetic lock assembly. The magnetic lock assembly includes a plunger translatable between a locked position and an unlocked position. A detent is extendable when the plunger is in the locked position and retractable when the plunger is in the unlocked position. A lock magnet is translatable with the plunger and has an end defined by a lock magnet north pole and a lock magnet south pole. The magnetic lock and key assembly further includes a magnetic key assembly having a key magnet. The key magnet has an end defined by a key magnet north pole and a key magnet south pole. At least one of the lock magnet and the key magnet is rotatably supported to facilitate automatic magnetic attractive alignment, attraction of the lock magnet toward the key magnet, and translation of the plunger to the unlocked position.