Magnetic Lock Key Rod Wave Guide Profile Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnet-controlled locks face issues with orientation and operation due to delicate magnet placement and limited directional insertion, leading to potential misalignment and locking failures.
Innovation Solution
A magnet-controlled lock design featuring a cylindrical rotor and stator with a key rod containing two magnets of the same polarity, a wave guide profile for orientation, and spring-loaded pins for secure alignment, allowing for reversible key insertion and rotation without specific orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If magnets are placed on the key rod to control the lock, then the lock can be unlocked, but the magnet placement becomes delicate and requires specific orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The key rod features an asymmetric wave guide profile that interacts with a fixed pin in the rotor. This asymmetric geometry automatically orients the key rod during insertion, ensuring the magnets are correctly positioned relative to the rotor magnets without requiring the user to align the key in a specific orientation beforehand.
Solution Approach 2:
The wave guide profile performs the preliminary action of orienting the key rod before the magnets engage. As the key rod slides along the wave guide during insertion, the profile pre-positions the key rod at the correct angle, so that when the magnets finally interact, they are already in the correct relative orientation for unlocking.
2Reliability
If the key rod has fixed magnet placement, then the locking mechanism works, but the key can only be inserted in one direction
Solution Approach 1:
The wave guide profile is designed with asymmetric geometry that accommodates insertion from either direction. The profile's shape allows it to guide the key rod into the correct oriented position regardless of which end of the key is inserted first, enabling bidirectional insertion while maintaining reliable magnet alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The wave guide profile serves multiple functions: it guides the key rod during insertion, orients the key at the correct angle, and enables insertion from either direction. This multi-functional design makes the locking system versatile and adaptable to different user needs without compromising reliability.
3Ease of operation
If magnets are used to separate rotor magnets, then the rotor can be unlocked, but misalignment may occur during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The wave guide profile acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the key rod and the rotor. As the key rod slides along the wave guide, this intermediate structure gradually brings the key rod into the correct angular relationship with the rotor, ensuring precise alignment of the magnets before they engage for unlocking.
Solution Approach 2:
The wave guide profile performs preliminary alignment action during the insertion process. Before the magnets interact to separate the rotor magnets, the wave guide has already pre-positioned the key rod at the correct angle, ensuring that when magnetic interaction occurs, alignment is already precise and misalignment cannot occur.
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
Ensures reliable and secure operation by ensuring correct alignment and rotation of the rotor, regardless of key insertion direction, through the use of a wave guide profile and spring-loaded pins, enhancing the lock's operational efficiency and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a lock controlled by magnets, comprising a cylinder with a stator and rotor joined together by means of pins in the absence of a key
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~7
Figure 8~10
AI summary
A magnetic lock, comprising a cylinder with a stator and rotor secured by pins in the absence of a key, and a magnetic key for unlocking the rotor. The key carries, in its shaft (1, 11), a set of two magnets (3, 4) aligned on the same axis perpendicular to the axis of the key shaft, the facing faces of the two magnets having the same polarity.