Miniaturized Electronic Cam Lock with Worm Drive Actuation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic cam locks for cabinets and furniture are not compact enough to fit in standard cam lock openings and lack a reliable, secure fastening mechanism, especially when positioned near the edge of the cabinet or door, where mechanical fasteners are difficult to implement.
Innovation Solution
A highly miniaturized electronic cam lock with a worm gear drive and spring actuator mechanism that allows for a compact housing with a motor-driven blocking pin, enabling secure operation without a mechanical key and providing a space for a machine screw attachment near the driver rotation axis, allowing the lock to be securely fastened to the cabinet or door.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the electronic cam lock is miniaturized to fit standard cam lock openings, then the lock can be installed in standard openings and maintain compact size, but the internal space for mounting mechanisms and fasteners is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements nesting by placing the motor within the cylindrical cavity of the cam mechanism, and positioning the blocking pin mechanism within the housing space defined by the cam rotation. The blocking pin is reciprocally movable within the housing and engages with notches on the cam, effectively utilizing the limited internal volume by nesting functional components within each other's spatial envelopes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the cylindrical dimension of the cam lock opening by extending the blocking pin mechanism along the axial direction of the cam rotation. The blocking pin moves reciprocally in a direction perpendicular to the cam rotation plane, effectively using the third dimension (axial direction) to accommodate the locking mechanism without increasing the radial footprint, thus fitting within standard opening dimensions.
2Area of stationary object
If the lock is positioned near the edge of the cabinet or door to save space, then the lock maintains compact installation footprint, but reliable mechanical fastening becomes difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical key-based fastening with an electronic control system. The blocking pin is actuated by a motor that responds to electronic signals from a keypad or access control system, eliminating the need for mechanical key insertion and rotation. This substitution allows the lock to be positioned near edges where mechanical key operation would be difficult, while maintaining reliable security through electronic actuation of the blocking pin.
3Extent of automation
If a motor-driven blocking pin mechanism is added for electronic operation, then the lock provides electronic access control without mechanical keys, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the motor actuation mechanism with the existing cam and blocking pin structure. The motor is positioned to directly drive the blocking pin through a linkage that integrates with the cam mechanism, combining the electronic actuation function with the mechanical locking function in a unified structure. This merging reduces overall complexity compared to having separate electronic and mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking pin mechanism serves multiple functions: it acts as the electronic actuator response element, engages with notches on the cam to prevent rotation when locked, and can be reciprocally positioned to allow or prevent cam rotation. The motor-driven system provides both the electronic control interface and the mechanical blocking function, eliminating the need for separate key-operated mechanisms.
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 solution results in a compact, reliable, and efficient electronic cam lock that fits within standard openings and provides secure access control without the need for mechanical keys, while allowing for secure fastening even in constrained spaces near the edge of the cabinet or door.
Implementation Method 1
a worm gear drive and spring actuator mechanism that allows for a compact housing with a motor-driven blocking pin
Implementation Method 2
a worm gear drive and spring actuator mechanism that allows for a compact housing with a motor-driven blocking pin
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 7~8A
Figure 9
AI summary
A very small and efficiently compact electronic cam lock has a motor-driven worm drive lock/unlock actuator that moves a blocking pin to block or to allow unlocking rotation of a locking cam of the device. A spring in the actuator provides for the actuator to move to the locking position while the cam is still in the unlocked position, but to spring into the locking position when the cam is moved back to the locking position. The lock housing includes a threaded bore for a mounting machine screw, strategically placed within the limited space of the lock mechanism.