Ring-Shaped Battery Nesting Around Motor for Compact Lock Drive

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing driving devices for unlocking and locking intelligent locks are bulky due to the size of power batteries and other components, making them difficult to fit within compact housing designs.

Innovation Solution

The driving device incorporates a uniquely shaped electric energy source that at least partially surrounds the driving motor, reducing overall dimensions by eliminating cavities within the housing. This design includes a gear assembly, electric driving motor, and a rotary control element for the lock mechanism, all seated within a compact housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional cylindrical batteries are used to power the driving device, then the device can function reliably, but the overall dimensions of the device become large and bulky

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoiddevice dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies nesting by placing the driving motor inside the electric energy source housing. The motor is positioned within the central opening of the ring-shaped battery configuration, and the electronic control unit is integrated into the housing structure. This nested arrangement eliminates the need for separate motor housing and reduces overall device volume while maintaining all functional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple functional components into a unified structure. The housing serves dual purposes as both the battery container and the motor housing. The ring-shaped battery configuration combines structural support and power supply functions. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components and reduces overall device dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components (batteries, motor, control unit) are arranged within the housing, then the device can perform all required functions, but the housing size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidhousing size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements nesting by positioning the driving motor within the central opening formed by the ring-shaped battery configuration. The electronic control unit is integrated into the housing structure, nested among the batteries. This arrangement allows all components to coexist in a compact space without requiring separate housings for each component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a conventional linear arrangement of components to a ring-shaped three-dimensional configuration. The batteries are arranged in a ring around the motor, utilizing radial space rather than linear space. This dimensional change allows for more efficient space utilization and reduces the overall housing volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional linear battery arrangement is used, then manufacturing is simple, but the device occupies more space within the housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidspace occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric design by configuring the batteries in a ring shape rather than a linear arrangement. This ring configuration is asymmetric relative to the motor position, with batteries distributed around the motor in a circular pattern. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes space utilization while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized battery components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies curvature by arranging the batteries in a ring shape around the motor, rather than in a straight line. This curved configuration better utilizes the three-dimensional space within the housing, reducing the overall footprint while maintaining ease of assembly through standardized battery positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 design significantly reduces the overall dimensions of the driving device, allowing it to be more compact and efficient while maintaining the functionality of unlocking and locking intelligent locks.

Implementation Method 1

an electric driving motor for transmitting drive to a rotary control element of the lock mechanism by means of a gear assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The drive from the electric motor is transmitted via the gear assembly, consisting of toothed wheels, to a component used to control the lock

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP3631128B1Driving device for unlocking and locking a lock
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 TEDEE IP SP ZOO
  • EP3631128B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3631128B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3631128B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Driving device (1) for unlocking and locking a lock (1') enabling access to protected areas, within its housing (5) comprises: a gear assembly (6), at least one electric energy source (9) and a driving motor (10) transmitting drive to a control element (3) for the lock (1') mechanism by means of the gear assembly (6). The lock (1') has a body (4), in which the control element (3) is seated rotatably. The driving device (1) is characterised in that an individual electric energy source (9) is so shaped that with its shape, in cross-section through the driving motor (10) and the electric energy source (9), it at least partially surrounds the driving motor (10), which means that in the area of cross-section through the electric energy source (9) there are at least two points such that a line segment joining these points passes through the area of cross-section of the driving motor (10).