Electromechanical Locking Mechanism with Pulse-Powered Latching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromechanical locking devices require excessive power consumption and costly components like subminiature electric motors or magnets to transition between stable states, and they consume power to maintain the unlocked state.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical locking device with an electronic key and lock design featuring a tail section with protrusions and contacts, a lock case with rotating bushings, a coupling mechanism with a slider and return spring, and an electronic control board that uses a miniature electromagnet to transmit force to the locking mechanism after code verification, minimizing power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional electromechanical locking devices use electric motors or magnets to transition between stable states, then the locking mechanism can be actuated, but power consumption increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive subminiature electric motors and magnets with a simple electromagnet that only needs to provide brief pulses to release mechanical latches. The bulk of the work is done by spring-loaded mechanical components rather than continuous electrical actuation, dramatically reducing both power consumption and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous power consumption to maintain the unlocked state, the system uses periodic brief electrical pulses from the electromagnet to release the mechanical latches when needed. The mechanical springs then maintain the unlocked state without additional power, achieving the desired periodic action pattern.
2Ease of operation
If constant power supply is used to hold the lock in the open state, then the lock remains unlocked, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical latches and springs are designed to automatically maintain the unlocked state without requiring continuous electrical power. Once the electromagnet releases the latches, the mechanical components self-maintain the position, allowing the lock to remain open without additional battery power until the next unlocking operation.
3Extent of automation
If expensive subminiature electric motors are used to actuate the locking mechanism, then the lock can be controlled, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex subminiature electric motors with a simple electromagnet combined with spring-loaded mechanical latches. This substitution maintains automatic electronic control capability while dramatically simplifying the mechanical actuation system, reducing manufacturing cost and improving reliability.
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
Reduces energy consumption to approximately 140 mW for 4-10 milliseconds during unlocking, allowing the lock to remain open without additional battery power and using affordable components.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnet, which is configured to transmit force to the locking mechanism by means of a tang
Implementation Method 2
the slider and the pin are configured to return to their original position due to the accumulated energy of the return spring
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to electromechanical non-volatile locking devices powered by a key battery with an electronic coding of unlock code. The technical result of the invention is to reduce energy costs when opening and closing the lock. An electromechanical locking device comprising an electronic key comprising: a tail section with protrusions, negative and positive contacts; a case wherein the power supply and electronic board for storing the electronic code are located, and a lock comprising: a lock case comprising a front bushing and a stationary inner bushing wherein a rotating lock bushing is located, comprising inlet and end sections, wherein negative and positive contacts of the lock located in the inlet section, and the end section is connected to the locking mechanism of the lock by means of a tang; a coupling mechanism comprising a slider with a return spring, configured to transfer force from the protrusion of the tail section of the key to compress the trigger spring pin when inserting the tail section of the electronic key into the shaft of the stationary inner bushing, and fixing the trigger spring pin using a locking mechanism; a lock opening mechanism comprising an electronic control board configured to identify the electronic code of the electronic key and transmit a control signal to an electromagnet, which is configured to transmit force to the locking mechanism by means of a tang by transmitting force to the end section of the rotating bushing of the lock when turning the electronic key in the inlet section of the rotating bushing of the lock after identifying the electronic code of the electronic key, and the transmission of force to the end section of the rotating bushing of the lock connected to a tang is carried out by moving the pin into the hole of the end section of the rotating bushing of the lock after the action of the electromagnet on the locking mechanism, leading to the release of the trigger spring pin, wherein the slider and the pin are configured to return to their original position due to the accumulated energy of the return spring when removing the tail section of the electronic key from the shaft of the stationary inner bushing.