Motor-Controllable Cooler Latch for Temperature-Based Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerated coolers and freezers face challenges in maintaining secure access and preventing spoilage due to temperature fluctuations and power outages, as existing locking mechanisms do not effectively manage door closure and opening based on temperature conditions or provide reliable access control.
Innovation Solution
A motor-controllable latch and strike mechanism integrated with sensors and controllers that lock the door when temperature exceeds safe limits or during power outages, allowing remote monitoring and control, and enabling secure access through electronic or mechanical key inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a motor-controllable latch mechanism is used to lock the door during temperature excursions or power outages, then food safety and security are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical locking mechanisms with a motor-controllable latch system that can be actuated electronically. The latch includes a motor assembly that drives a latch member between locked and unlocked positions, allowing for automated temperature-based control and remote operation, thereby improving reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking system automatically activates based on temperature sensor inputs without requiring manual intervention. When the temperature exceeds safe thresholds or during power outages, the controller automatically engages the motor-controllable latch to secure the door, enabling the system to protect itself and its contents autonomously.
2Ease of operation
If remote monitoring and control capabilities are integrated into the locking mechanism, then access control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller integrates multiple functions into a single device: it monitors temperature, controls the motor-controllable latch, provides remote monitoring capabilities, and manages access control. This multi-functional approach improves ease of operation by consolidating control while managing complexity through integrated design rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor conditions and provide feedback to the controller. This feedback mechanism enables automatic temperature-based locking decisions and allows remote monitoring of system status, improving access control through informed automated decisions while using simple sensor-controller feedback loops to manage complexity.
3Reliability
If the door is locked during power outages to prevent spoilage, then food safety is improved, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on operational conditions. During normal operation, the door remains easily accessible. During power outages or temperature excursions, the system automatically transitions to a locked state to protect food safety. The motor-controllable latch can be remotely unlocked when appropriate, providing dynamic adaptability that balances food safety with operational convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system takes preliminary action by locking the door before food spoilage can occur during power outages or temperature excursions. By proactively engaging the latch when dangerous conditions are detected, the system prevents the harmful effect of food deterioration while maintaining ease of operation through automatic control and remote unlocking capabilities when safe to do so.
Data Source
AI summary
A cooler and freezer access control system locks a cooler or freezer when occurrence of an event is detected that requires limiting access to the inside of the cooler or freezer. Examples of such events include the loss of power to the cooler or freezer for a predetermined period of time, the opening of the cooler or freezer door for longer than an allowed time, the loss of functionality of a temperature probe and others. In an embodiment, a service mode is supported wherein the door is left unlocked despite the occurrence of such an event, to allow a stocker or other personnel to leave the cooler or freezer door open while stocking the cooler or freezer with product.