Pulsed Electromagnet Control for Reliable Door Lock Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric door openers may fail to reliably open doors due to varying preloads caused by factors like imprecise installation, door seal, and wind pressure, resulting in the locking body not being fully released from its blocked position.
Innovation Solution
The method involves an electromagnet with current flowing during detachment periods interrupted by pauses, where the pulse duration and pause duration are kept constant, and the pause between detachment periods is significantly longer than the pulse pause, allowing for adjustable current strength to ensure effective release of the locking body, and the use of high-frequency pulses to minimize noise and ensure reliable door opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous current is applied to the electromagnet to ensure reliable door opening, then the locking body is reliably released, but the noise level increases and energy consumption rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic pulsed current instead of continuous current to the electromagnet. The control device generates current pulses with specific duty cycles (e.g., 10-90% for initial phase, then lower duty cycles) to activate the electromagnet intermittently, achieving reliable door opening while reducing noise and energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the current parameters by varying the duty cycle of pulsed current over time. The control device initially uses higher duty cycles (10-90%) to overcome static friction and preload, then transitions to lower duty cycles to maintain the unlocked state, optimizing both reliability and noise reduction.
2Reliability
If high current is applied to the electromagnet to overcome varying preloads, then the locking body is reliably released, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic pulsed current with time-varying duty cycles to reduce energy consumption while maintaining reliable door opening. The control device applies higher current pulses initially to overcome preload and friction, then reduces the duty cycle to maintain the unlocked state with lower energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic current control where the duty cycle of pulsed current is adjusted over time based on the door opening process. The control device transitions from high duty cycles during the initial release phase to lower duty cycles during the holding phase, optimizing energy efficiency while ensuring reliable operation under varying preload conditions.
3Force
If the pulse duration is increased to improve current strength, then the electromagnet force increases, but the response time and precision of locking body release deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the balance between force and response time by carefully selecting pulse duration parameters. The control device uses pulse widths that generate sufficient electromagnetic force to overcome preload while maintaining short enough duration for rapid response and precise control of the locking body release timing.
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 approach ensures reliable door opening by maintaining a consistent current strength and reducing noise, allowing the locking body to be reliably moved from a blocked to a release position, even under varying preloads, with the option to adjust settings based on preload conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnet, which causes a locking body to be switched from a locked position to an unlocked position when current flows through the electromagnet
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5B
AI summary
The method involves switching a locking element from locking position into release position when current flows through a solenoid. The current intensity of current is set to an effective value, by adjusting ratio of pulse durations (t1,t3) during which voltage pulses (P1-P4) are applied and pulse interval durations (t2,t4) during which voltage is not applied. The pulse duration (t1) and pulse interval duration (t2) during disengagement periods (LLZ1, LLZ2) are kept constant. The interval between two disengagement periods is greater than pulse interval. An independent claim is included for electric door opener.