Portable Door Lock with Remote Paddle Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door locking systems, especially in hotel rooms and other temporary accommodations, lack user control over security hardware, making it difficult for individuals to ensure privacy and security from unauthorized access, including from staff or potential intruders, as they rely on owner-provided hardware with master keys and unverifiable audit trails.

Innovation Solution

A portable, remotely-controlled inswing door lock that operates independently of existing hardware, featuring anti-tamper mechanisms such as a sealed pin, concealed power and control buttons, and a multi-digit code entry via wireless remote control, allowing secure locking and unlocking without modifying the door or infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If owner-provided locking hardware is used, then door locking functionality is provided, but user control over security is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser controlVSAvoidsecurity assurance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking system is segmented into two independent components: the existing owner-provided lock and the portable supplemental lock. This segmentation allows the user to operate the portable lock independently without affecting or being affected by the owner's lock system, thereby gaining user control while maintaining security through layered protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The portable lock acts as an intermediary security device between the user and the door. It provides an intermediate layer of control that neither completely replaces nor completely depends on the owner's hardware, allowing users to secure their own space while the owner retains master key access for legitimate purposes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If electronic key card access is used, then general access is enabled, but unauthorized access risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess controlVSAvoidunauthorized access

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The portable lock is deployed in advance before the user leaves the room or before handing over control to cleaning staff. This preliminary action ensures that even if electronic key cards are compromised or improperly managed, the physical portable lock provides a pre-established barrier against unauthorized access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The portable lock serves as a cushioning security measure that compensates for potential failures in the electronic key card system. By having this additional mechanical lock in place beforehand, the system cushions against the harmful effects of unauthorized access through compromised electronic keys

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If portable locks are emplaced from interior, then locking capability is achieved, but occupancy requirement limits flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking capabilityVSAvoidoccupancy flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of requiring the user to be inside the room to operate the lock (traditional interior emplacement), this portable lock can be deployed from the exterior side. The user places the lock on the door from outside, then the locking mechanism extends inward to secure the door, inverting the traditional operation sequence and enabling use without interior occupancy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Reliability

If door modification is performed, then permanent security is achieved, but damage to door occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity permanenceVSAvoiddoor damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is extracted from the door structure itself and placed on a separate portable carrier. The paddle extends through the door to engage the strike plate, but the main locking components remain on the removable portable lock rather than being permanently installed in the door, allowing security without permanent modification or damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12091890B1Electronic remotely-controlled inswing portable door lock

Publication Date: 2024.09.17 THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE

AI summary

A remotely controlled inswing portable door lock apparatus having a blade including a barb at a distal end and a tang at a proximal end. The barb being configured to be disposed within an aperture of a strike plate. The body having a top and a bottom, wherein the body is operably coupled to the tang of the blade. A paddle being moveably coupled to the body and configured to selectively move between a first orientation substantially flush with the top of the body and a second orientation protruding from the top of the body. The apparatus further including a remotely controllable electronics module coupled to the body and configured to operate an electromechanical electromechanical actuator in cooperation with the paddle, and configured to remotely and selectively position the paddle between the first orientation and the second orientation.