Retrofit Lock Battery Pack With Swappable Rechargeable Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic door locks often rely on expensive and inconvenient alkaline batteries, which can drain rapidly and require frequent replacement, leading to interruptions in access and high installation costs for direct power solutions.

Innovation Solution

A smart retrofit battery pack that includes a housing electrically couplable to existing electronic locks, featuring rechargeable battery modules and a wireless communication module, allowing for easy installation and providing power to the lock and external devices while enabling wireless connectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If alkaline batteries are used in existing electronic locks, then the locks can operate with simple battery replacement, but the batteries drain rapidly and require frequent replacement causing interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery operation durationVSAvoidcontinuous operation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The battery pack is divided into multiple individual battery slots (first battery slot, second battery slot, third battery slot) that can be independently accessed. This segmentation allows one battery to be removed for charging while others continue powering the lock, maintaining continuous operation and reliability while extending overall system duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system includes a wireless communication module that can receive commands from external devices to control battery operations. This preliminary action capability allows the system to proactively manage battery charging and replacement before complete power depletion occurs, ensuring continuous reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If direct power solutions are implemented for electronic locks, then continuous power can be provided, but installation costs become prohibitively high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous operation reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A wireless communication module acts as an intermediary between the battery pack and external control devices. This intermediary enables smart battery management and monitoring without requiring complex hardwired power infrastructure, achieving reliable continuous operation through intelligent control rather than expensive direct power installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex mechanical power infrastructure with a simpler battery-based power delivery system enhanced by wireless communication. This substitution achieves reliable power supply without the high installation costs associated with direct wired power solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional battery packs are used in electronic locks, then installation is simple, but wireless connectivity and smart control features are unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless connectivity capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines traditional battery power delivery with a wireless communication module into a single integrated battery pack assembly. This merging provides both simple battery installation and advanced wireless connectivity features without requiring separate systems, achieving versatility while managing complexity through integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The battery pack serves multiple functions: providing electrical power to the lock and simultaneously enabling wireless communication and smart control capabilities. This multi-functionality achieves high adaptability and versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity, as both functions share the same physical platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 provides a cost-effective, convenient, and reliable power source for electronic door locks, eliminating the need for frequent battery replacements and enabling continuous operation even when one battery module is removed for charging, while also providing enhanced security and control through wireless connectivity.

Implementation Method 1

A plurality of rechargeable battery modules is also included. Each of the plurality of rechargeable battery modules is removably electrically coupled to the housing.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentUS12212011B2Retrofit battery module

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 MASTER LOCK CO INC

AI summary

Disclosed here in is a retrofit device compatible with existing electronic locks, the device including a housing, one or more rechargeable batteries capable of providing power to the device, the existing electronic lock, and one or more accessories, and a module enabling wireless communication with one or more external electronic devices. The device is configured such that power can be delivered even when one or more of the batteries is removed, dead, or otherwise incapable of providing power. The module is configured to interface with the existing electronic lock such that commands can be delivered and executed wirelessly.