Segmented Lever Lock for Parcel Lockers to Prevent Unauthorized Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door locks for collective deposit boxes, such as postal parcel lockers, require precise lever geometry and increased electromagnetic actuator stroke for efficient operation, making them prone to unauthorized access without destructive actions.
Innovation Solution
A door lock system featuring two separate flat lever elements, a latch, and an ejector, both mounted on a pivot and interacting through pins, utilizing a spiral spring for efficient door operation and enhanced security against burglary attempts by leveraging a U-shaped hook cover with radial grooves and locking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a one-sided electromagnetic actuator with increased stroke is used to drive a two-arm lever for door operation, then the door opening function is achieved, but the device becomes more complex and vulnerable to unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lever system into two separate flat lever elements (latch and ejector) instead of using a single complex two-arm lever. This segmentation simplifies the geometry requirements for each individual lever while maintaining the door opening function, and reduces the precision constraints on lever dimensions.
2Device complexity
If a single lever performs both latch and ejector functions with time offset, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the latch and ejector functions into two distinct lever elements that operate independently on the same pivot. This allows each lever to have simpler, more tolerant geometry while achieving the same functional result, eliminating the need for precise single-lever dimensions.
3Device complexity
If the electromagnetic actuator core faces the rear edge of the lever arm, then the actuation mechanism is simplified, but the stroke length must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a driver pin as an intermediary element that transfers motion from the electromagnetic actuator core to the ejector lever. This allows the actuator to be positioned at the rear edge of the lever arm (simplifying actuator mounting) while the driver pin transmits the force to the appropriate location on the ejector, avoiding the need for increased stroke length.
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 lock system effectively prevents unauthorized access by allowing the latch hook to return to a closed position under spring action and engages a locking mechanism when attempting to break in, significantly limiting intrusion without destructive means.
Implementation Method 1
The lever locks the door of the box with the hook through the ends protruding through holes in the front wall of the housing and the ejector foot at the end of the longer arm -with the shape of a leg bent at the knee - pushes the door out from the front wall after raising the hook by the action of the electromagnetic actuator. The actuator core faces the rear edge of the longer arm of the lever on the ejector side. The two-arm lever is loaded with a spiral spring
Implementation Method 2
the lock for safe deposit boxes includes a one-sided electromagnetic actuator built inside the box housing, whose core drives a two-arm lever
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The lock contains a one-sided electromagnetic actuator (8) built inside a box housing (1), whose core (8.1) drives the ejector lever (4) of the lever system (4, 3, 7), which is mounted on the pivot (1.1) of the housing (1) and which, through the holes in the front wall (2) of the housing (1), blocks the door (9) of the box with the end of the hook (3.1) of the latch (3) and pushes the door (9) away from the front wall (2) with the foot (4.1) of the ejector (4). The electromagnetic actuator (8) with the movable core (8.1) is directed towards the rear edge of the ejector (4). The latch (3) and the ejector (4) are loaded with a spiral spring (6) mounted on the pivot (1.1) in the direction of locking the hook (3.1) of the door (9) and retracting the foot (4.1) of the ejector (4). The hook (3.1) behind the front wall (2) is covered from the front and on both sides by the walls of the hook cover (7) mounted on the pivot (1.1) and guided in the hole of the front wall (2). The essence of the invention lies in the fact that the lever system consists of two separate, flat lever elements of the latch (3) and the ejector (4), which adjoin each other with the front surfaces and are pivotably mounted on the pivot (1.1) of the housing (1) and which act on each other through protruding pins (3.2, 4.2) in such a way that after tilting the hook (3.1) of the latch (3) by the action of the electromagnetic actuator (8) and opening the ejector with the foot (4.1) of the box door, the hook (3.1) of the latch (3) returns back to the closed position under the action of the spiral spring (6).