Multi-Directional Electromechanical Lock with Capacitive Power Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing furniture locks require pre-determination of orientation and often need hardwiring for continuous power, which is inconvenient and may not provide a commercially acceptable usage life, especially when using active RFID readers.
Innovation Solution
A multi-directional lock with a lock housing and main housing configuration that allows easy reorientation without reconfiguring internal gears, powered by batteries with a microprocessor-controlled actuator and proximity switches to manage power consumption, including a capacitive sensor to minimize battery drain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the lock uses an active RFID reader for wireless operation, then convenience of access is improved, but battery consumption increases and usage life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID reader operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when needed for authentication. The system uses a button press or proximity detection to trigger RFID reader activation, allowing periodic wireless communication while preserving battery life for extended usage.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lock housing is reoriented to change locking direction, then adaptability to different installations is improved, but internal gear reconfiguration is required which increases complexity and risk of damage
Solution Approach 1:
The lock is divided into separable modules: the lock housing that can be reoriented independently, and the main housing containing the gear mechanism that remains stationary. This segmentation allows the lock housing to be rotated to different orientations without requiring the internal gears to be reconfigured, reducing complexity and risk of damage.
3Reliability
If the lock is hardwired to continuous power source, then reliability of power supply is improved, but installation difficulty increases and portability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock serves itself by containing its own power source (battery) and control systems within the housing, eliminating the need for external hardwired power connections. This self-contained design provides both portability and adequate reliability for furniture lock applications where continuous operation is required but installation flexibility is also needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An electromechanical lock includes a main housing and a lock housing. The lock housing includes a locking element such as a bolt or a latch that can be translated between a locked position and an unlocked position by an actuator. The lock housing can be mounted to the main housing in more than one orientation. The main housing can include a circuit board on which multiple receivers are mounted, and the lock housing can include a connector, such that the connector will engage one of the receivers in any of the multiple orientations to provide power to the actuator. The electromechanical lock can also include a wireless reader and capacitive sensor to conserve power, where the only time the wireless reader emits interrogating signals is after the capacitive sensor is triggered by the user.