Movable Access Member for Secure Battery Replacement in Electronic Locks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic locks with battery-powered mechanisms face security risks due to battery depletion, where locks may fail in either unlocked or locked conditions, and there is a risk of unauthorized battery removal or short circuits when attempting to replace batteries.
Innovation Solution
A battery-operated electronic device with a movable access member that blocks or exposes external battery contacts, allowing for secure battery replacement and preventing simultaneous connection of internal and external batteries to avoid short circuits, while ensuring the lock remains secure and powered.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lock is configured to fail in the unlocked condition when the battery is depleted, then security is compromised, but if the lock is configured to fail in the locked condition, then access is lost when the battery is depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational state parameters by introducing a third power source option (external battery connection) alongside the internal battery. This allows the system to transition between different power states without forcing a fail-safe choice, thereby maintaining both security and access availability across different battery conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary power transfer mechanism that allows power to be transferred from an external battery to the internal battery or directly to the operating mechanism. This intermediary solution resolves the contradiction by providing a backup power path that maintains security while ensuring access availability.
2Ease of operation
If the access member is always open for battery replacement, then battery maintenance is easy, but unauthorized battery removal or short circuits can occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the access member dynamic rather than static, allowing it to be moved between locked and unlocked positions. The access member can be unlocked by manipulating the electronic lock interface, enabling authorized battery replacement while maintaining security when locked. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between ease of battery replacement and security protection.
3Reliability
If the internal battery is always connected to the operating mechanism, then the lock remains powered, but external battery access is compromised and simultaneous battery connection risks short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic switching between internal and external battery connections through the movable access member. When the access member is in the unlocked position, it disconnects the internal battery and enables external battery connection. This dynamic switching maintains power continuity while enabling external battery access and preventing simultaneous connection risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the internal battery connection from the operating mechanism temporarily when external battery access is required. By moving the access member to the unlocked position, the internal battery is disconnected (taken out of the circuit), allowing safe external battery connection without risk of short circuits between simultaneous connections.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery operated device includes a housing, an operating mechanism and an internal battery disposed within the housing, and an access member assembled with the housing and movable between first and second positions. The operating mechanism includes first and second sets of electrical contacts for transmitting power to the operating mechanism, with the internal battery being electrically connectable with the first set of electrical contacts for powering the operating mechanism. The access member is movable between a first position blocking external access to the second set of electrical contacts and connecting the first set of electrical contacts to the internal battery, and a second position permitting external access to the second set of electrical contacts and disconnecting the internal battery from the first set of electrical contacts.