Rotatable Lock Housing Attachment for Easier Service Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing locking systems, such as those in safes and doors, often do not allow for easy access or replacement of components like keypads and other internal components, making maintenance and servicing difficult.

Innovation Solution

An attachment system comprising a baseplate with circumferential cutouts and lugs, and a housing with protrusions that engage with the cutouts to prevent withdrawal, along with a locking device accessible from outside for rotatable locking and unlocking, allowing the housing to be securely fastened and easily serviced.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the housing is permanently fixed to the baseplate, then the system stability is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidease of repair
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system divides the locking system into separable components: a baseplate mounted to the closure, and a housing containing serviceable components. The housing can be detached from the baseplate through rotational movement, allowing segmentation of the system for maintenance while maintaining stability during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system transitions from a static permanent fixation to a dynamic reversible connection. The housing can be rotated to engage or disengage from the baseplate, providing dynamic adjustability that allows the system to switch between stable operation mode and maintenance mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the housing is permanently fixed to the baseplate, then the system stability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system transitions from a static permanent fixation to a dynamic reversible connection. The housing can be rotated to engage or disengage from the baseplate, providing dynamic adjustability that allows the system to switch between stable operation mode and maintenance mode.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the locking device is enclosed inside the housing, then the security is improved, but the ease of repair deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidease of repair
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The locking system is segmented into a secure baseplate housing and a separate serviceable housing unit. The locking device remains secured to the baseplate while the outer housing can be removed, allowing the locking mechanism to maintain security while becoming accessible for maintenance through the detachable housing design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The serviceable housing containing components like the keypad is extracted as a separate detachable unit from the baseplate. This allows the locking device to remain securely mounted while the outer housing and its components can be removed for servicing without affecting the security of the core locking mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of repair

If the housing is rotatably engaged with the baseplate, then the ease of repair is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of repairVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system divides the locking system into separable components: a baseplate mounted to the closure, and a housing containing serviceable components. The housing can be detached from the baseplate through rotational movement, allowing segmentation of the system for maintenance while maintaining stability during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4151819B1Attachment system for a locking system
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 DORMAKABA USA INC
  • EP4151819B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4151819B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4151819B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

An attachment system for a locking system mounted to a closure is provided. A baseplate is fastenable to a mounting surface of the closure, the baseplate including at least one circumferential cutout having an engagement feature, and a locking feature on a surface of the baseplate. A housing has at least one protrusion insertable into the at least one circumferential cutout and is rotatably engageable with the engagement feature to selectively prevent the housing from being withdrawn from the baseplate in a direction normal to the mounting surface. A locking device is disposed inside the housing and is accessible from outside the housing through a cutout defined in at least one of the housing and the baseplate, the locking device operable to rotatably lock and unlock the housing to the baseplate.