Motor Drive Mechanism for Electronic Deadbolt Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lock systems for doors lack an efficient mechanism to translate rotational movement into linear movement for controlling access, particularly in electronic lock assemblies with deadbolts, leading to complexity and potential mechanical failure.
Innovation Solution
A motor drive mechanism incorporating a motor with a rotatable output shaft, a coupler, and a coil spring, where the coil spring is attached without external means and communicates with the coupler to translate rotational movement into substantially linear movement, enabling precise control of the deadbolt's locked and unlocked positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mechanisms are used to translate rotational movement into linear movement, then the lock system can control access, but the device complexity increases and mechanical failure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates intermediate transmission components from conventional lock mechanisms. By directly coupling the motor output shaft to the deadbolt assembly through a simplified coupler, it removes unnecessary gears, linkages, and transmission elements that increase complexity and potential failure points, achieving reliable linear movement without complex mechanical translations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coil spring as a mediator between the motor drive mechanism and the deadbolt assembly. This spring element provides smooth force transmission, absorbs mechanical shocks, and enables reliable locked/unlocked transitions without requiring complex mechanical translation mechanisms, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If external attachment means are used to attach the coil spring to the coupler, then the spring can be securely attached, but the device complexity and number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spring attachment function directly into the coupler structure. The coupler is designed with integrated features that naturally retain and secure the coil spring through its own geometry, eliminating the need for separate external attachment means such as clips, fasteners, or additional retaining mechanisms, thus reducing part count while maintaining secure attachment
Solution Approach 2:
The coupler is designed to self-secure the coil spring through its inherent structural features. The spring attaches to the coupler through its own geometric configuration without requiring external assistance or additional components, achieving reliable attachment through self-contained design that reduces overall system complexity
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
This solution simplifies the operation of electronic lock assemblies by efficiently transferring rotational motion into linear motion, enhancing the reliability and user experience of door access control systems.
Implementation Method 1
The coil spring is attached to the coupler without external attachment means and is in communication with the output shaft via the coupler such that rotational movement of the output shaft is transferred to the coil spring. The coil spring is further in communication with the deadbolt such that the rotational movement of the coil spring is translated into substantially linear movement of the deadbolt.
Implementation Method 2
The coil spring translates rotational movement into substantially linear movement through its helical geometry and elastic properties, providing mechanical advantage in the motor drive mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus including a motor that has a rotatable output shaft extending outward from the motor and defining a rotational axis. The apparatus also includes a coupler that is coupled to the output shaft for rotation therewith, and a coil spring that is coupled to the coupler without external attachment means such that rotation of the coupler is transferred to the coil spring.