Pivoting Engagement Member for Electronic Lock Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic lock devices for architectural doors face challenges in efficiently engaging and disengaging with various mechanical lock cases, requiring different operational schemes and resulting in inconsistent performance and high power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An electronic lock device with a pivotable engagement member driven by an electric motor, which engages the lock mechanism with minimal movement, allowing for fast unlocking and low power consumption, and is programmable for customized operation schemes to accommodate different lock cases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the electrical motor is engaged with the lock mechanism using conventional engagement systems, then the motor can drive the lock case, but the engagement time and distance are increased resulting in higher power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement member is preliminarily positioned in a disengaged state before motor activation. When the motor needs to operate, the engagement member quickly pivots into the engaged position, allowing immediate motor engagement without requiring the motor to travel through a long engagement distance. This preliminary positioning of the engagement mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling fast engagement (reducing time loss) while minimizing the motor's travel distance (reducing energy consumption).
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement member transitions from a static engagement system to a dynamic pivoting mechanism. The engagement member can pivot between engaged and disengaged positions, allowing the system to adapt its engagement state based on operational needs. This dynamic capability enables the motor to engage quickly when needed and disengage efficiently, reducing both engagement time and power consumption compared to conventional fixed engagement systems.
2Reliability
If the engagement member is positioned far from the rotatable shaft, then engagement is more reliable, but the engagement distance increases resulting in higher power consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement member is preliminarily positioned close to the rotatable shaft in a disengaged state, ready for quick engagement. When engagement is required, it pivots into position, minimizing the motor's travel distance and energy consumption. The close preliminary positioning ensures that when engagement occurs, it is reliable due to the short engagement distance, while the overall power consumption is reduced because the motor does not need to travel far to achieve engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement member acts as an intermediary between the motor and the rotatable shaft. By positioning this intermediary close to the shaft and using a pivoting mechanism, the system achieves reliable engagement (the intermediary can firmly connect to the shaft) while minimizing the energy required for the motor to engage the intermediary. The intermediary's close proximity to the shaft reduces the engagement distance and associated power consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the electronic lock device is designed to work with a specific lock case operation principle, then the engagement scheme can be optimized, but the device cannot accommodate different lock cases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement member is designed with universal compatibility to work with multiple types of lock cases having different operation principles. The pivoting engagement mechanism can adapt to various lock case designs (spring-biased latches, unelastically connected bolts, etc.) while maintaining efficient engagement characteristics. This universality allows the electronic lock device to accommodate different lock cases without sacrificing the optimized power consumption and engagement time achieved through the pivoting mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement member's dynamic pivoting capability allows it to adapt to different lock case operation principles. Whether the lock case uses spring-biased latches, unelastically connected bolts, or other mechanisms, the engagement member can pivot into the appropriate engagement position and disengage efficiently. This dynamic adaptability provides versatility across different lock case types while maintaining the energy efficiency benefits of the pivoting engagement system.
4Reliability
If the motor is engaged continuously with the lock mechanism, then the lock can be operated, but the power consumption increases and the motor cannot return to non-engaging position
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement member provides dynamic engagement and disengagement capability, allowing the motor to be connected to the lock mechanism only when operation is required. The member can pivot into the engaged position for reliable locking operations and then pivot back to a disengaged position when the operation is complete. This dynamic on-demand engagement ensures reliable locking when needed while minimizing power consumption by disengaging the motor when not in use, preventing continuous energy drainage.
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement member allows the motor to be extracted or disconnected from the lock mechanism when not in use. After completing a locking or unlocking operation, the engagement member pivots to disengage the motor from the rotatable shaft, effectively taking out the motor from the operational chain. This extraction prevents continuous power consumption while maintaining the ability to re-engage the motor reliably when the next operation is required.
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 enables efficient and reliable engagement and disengagement of the motor independent of the lock case's operation principle, reducing engagement time and power consumption while allowing compatibility with multiple lock cases, ensuring fast and secure operation.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical motor and a transmission for connecting said electrical motor to the associated lock case. Said transmission comprises a rotatable shaft configured to be connected to a lock follower of the lock case, and a rotatable member being drivingly connected to the electrical motor
Implementation Method 2
the engagement member is allowed to pivot upon rotation of the rotatable member, such that the engagement member is engaging with the rotatable shaft when the electrical motor is driving the rotatable member
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
An electronic lock device (100) configured to be externally mounted on a building door (1) is provided, and being configured to operate a lock (10) by moving a lock bolt (22) of an associated lock case (20) between a retracted position and a protruded position. The device comprises an electrical motor (120) and a transmission (130) for connecting said electricalmotor (120) to the associated lock case (20). The transmission (130) comprises a rotatable shaft (140) configured to be connected to a lock follower of the lock case (20), and a rotatable member (150) being drivingly connected to the electrical motor (120) and being connected to an engagement member (170) being allowed to pivot upon rotation of the rotatable member (150), such that the engagement member (170) is engaging with the rotatable shaft (140) when the electrical motor (120) is driving the rotatable member (150).