Wireless Power Transfer for Smart Locks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic door locks often run out of power, leading to users being inadvertently locked out of buildings, as they require constant battery electricity and lack a reliable means to maintain power supply.
Innovation Solution
A door lock system that receives electricity from a transformer coupled to a doorbell chime, using near field energy transmission and induction to transmit power from a strike plate assembly to a face plate assembly, ensuring continuous power supply even when the lock is mounted on a swinging door, and allowing wireless communication with remote computing devices for control and data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronic door locks use battery power, then the lock can operate independently, but the batteries will run out of power and lock users out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a power transmission system as an intermediary between the building's electrical infrastructure and the door lock. This system includes a power transmitter integrated into the strike plate assembly and a power receiver in the face plate assembly, enabling wireless power transfer through electromagnetic induction. This mediator eliminates the need for batteries while ensuring continuous power supply to the lock.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical battery-powered power supply system with an electromagnetic power transmission system. By using near field energy transmission and induction between the strike plate assembly and face plate assembly, the system substitutes the mechanical battery compartment and chemical energy storage with an electromagnetic field-based power transfer mechanism, eliminating battery replacement needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lock is mounted on a swinging door, then the lock provides universal applicability, but maintaining power supply becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the power transmission system dynamic by integrating the power transmitter into the strike plate assembly mounted on the door frame and the power receiver into the face plate assembly on the moving door. This dynamic configuration allows the power receiver to move with the door while maintaining electromagnetic coupling with the stationary power transmitter, ensuring continuous power supply regardless of door position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the power transmission system into two separate assemblies: the strike plate assembly with the power transmitter fixed to the door frame, and the face plate assembly with the power receiver attached to the movable door. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned - the transmitter remains stationary while the receiver moves with the door, maintaining power transmission capability throughout the door's range of motion.
3Ease of operation
If wireless power transmission is used, then battery replacement is eliminated, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the power transmission components with existing door hardware assemblies. The power transmitter is integrated into the strike plate assembly, and the power receiver is incorporated into the face plate assembly. By combining these new power transmission functions with existing structural components, the patent minimizes additional complexity while achieving wireless power transfer and eliminating battery maintenance.
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 system prevents users from being locked out of buildings by maintaining a consistent power supply to the door lock, enabling secure and remote-controlled access while eliminating battery-related power issues.
Implementation Method 1
The lock can be configured to receive electricity from a transformer that is electrically coupled to a doorbell chime
Implementation Method 2
using near field energy transmission and induction to transmit power from a strike plate assembly to a face plate assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A door lock system can comprise a door lock movable between a locked state and an unlocked state. The door lock system can detect a first indication suggestive of a presence of a visitor. The door lock system can also detect a second indication suggestive of an identity of the visitor. As well, the door lock can validate that the first indication and the second indication are associated with a first identity.