Safety System Bus Integration for Door Lock Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security systems for controlling and monitoring door locks for escape routes lack integration of non-security-relevant functions and unclear connections between control centers, emergency buttons, and door locks.

Innovation Solution

A security system that includes a control device connected to both the triggering element and door locking control via a bus system, allowing for communication with other bus participants and enabling non-safety-relevant functions such as time-delayed unlocking, automatic relocking, and integration with access control systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a bus system is used to connect the emergency button and door lock, then communication efficiency is improved, but it becomes unclear how non-safety functions can be integrated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidintegration capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bus system is designed to handle both safety-critical communications (emergency button signals) and non-safety functions (access control, monitoring) through a unified communication protocol. The control device can differentiate between signal types and route them appropriately, allowing the same physical bus infrastructure to support multiple functional domains without interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a control device is added to manage non-safety functions, then system versatility is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem versatilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device is integrated into the existing door lock control unit, combining safety-critical control functions with non-safety functions (access control, time-delayed unlocking, automatic relocking) into a single centralized controller. This eliminates the need for separate control hardware and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control device is designed as a multi-functional unit that can handle both safety-critical emergency release operations and non-safety functions such as access control authentication, time-delayed unlocking sequences, and automatic relocking. The single control device adapts its behavior based on the type of signal received, eliminating the need for multiple specialized controllers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple functions are integrated into the safety system, then system capability is improved, but reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capabilityVSAvoidsafety reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device implements functional segmentation through dedicated processing routines that separate safety-critical operations from non-safety functions. Emergency button signals are processed through a dedicated safety protocol that is independent of access control or other non-safety operations, ensuring that failures in non-safety functions cannot compromise safety reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control device acts as an intermediary between the emergency button and the door lock mechanism, implementing a layered architecture where safety-critical signals are processed through a dedicated safety layer. This intermediary structure allows non-safety functions to operate simultaneously without interfering with the direct safety signal path, maintaining reliability while enabling extended functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4273899A1Safety system
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 DORMAKABA DEUT GMBH
  • EP4273899A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4273899A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4273899A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a safety system (1) for controlling and/or monitoring at least one door lock (200) for securing escape routes, comprising at least one release element (10), in particular an emergency button (10), and a door lock control (201) for controlling a locking mechanism (205), wherein the release element (10) and the door lock control (201) are connected to each other via a first bus system (400). According to the invention, the safety system (1) comprises a control device (100), wherein the control device (100) is connected to the release element (10) and/or to the door lock control (201) via the first bus system (400).