Solenoid Door Locking Mechanism with Periodic Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing door opening/closing devices for electronic devices, such as printers and copiers, face issues with temperature rise in solenoids during locking and unlocking operations, which can harm surrounding components and waste energy, while users or service personnel face challenges in opening the door at intended times.

Innovation Solution

A door opening/closing device that employs a solenoid with a movable iron core advancing/retreating between positions under spring and electromagnetic forces, controlled by a controller to maintain a locked state through non-conduction and unlock the door through conduction, allowing the door to be opened and closed securely without continuous solenoid activation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the solenoid is continuously electrified to maintain the door unlocked, then the door can be opened at any time, but the solenoid temperature rises and power is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor opening availabilityVSAvoidsolenoid temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The solenoid is electrified only periodically when unlocking is required, not continuously. The controller activates the solenoid temporarily to unlock the door, then stops electrification to prevent temperature rise and power waste, while the door remains open due to mechanical retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Ease of operation

If the solenoid is continuously electrified to maintain the door unlocked, then the door can be opened at any time, but power is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor opening availabilityVSAvoidsolenoid power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The solenoid is electrified only periodically when unlocking is required, not continuously. The controller activates the solenoid temporarily to unlock the door, then stops electrification to prevent power waste, while the door remains open due to mechanical retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If the solenoid is continuously electrified to maintain the door unlocked, then the door can be opened at any time, but the electromagnetic force continuously acts against the return spring force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor opening availabilityVSAvoidenergy waste from continuous electromagnetic action

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The solenoid is electrified only periodically when unlocking is required, not continuously. The controller activates the solenoid temporarily to unlock the door, then stops electrification to prevent energy waste from continuous electromagnetic action against the return spring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Loss of energy

If the solenoid is not electrified, then power is saved and temperature is reduced, but the door cannot be unlocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower savingVSAvoiddoor unlocking capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The solenoid is electrified only periodically when unlocking is required. The controller detects when unlocking is needed and activates the solenoid temporarily, then stops electrification to save power while maintaining the ability to unlock when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 solution effectively suppresses solenoid temperature rise, conserves power, and allows users or service personnel to open the door at desired times by maintaining an unlocked state without continuous solenoid conduction, ensuring secure locking and unlocking mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

a solenoid mounted in the device housing and having a movable iron core advancing/retreating between a first position advanced by a return spring force during non-conduction and a second position retreated by an electromagnetic attracting force against the return spring force during conduction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic attracting force: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReturn spring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS10704305B2Door opening/closing device

Publication Date: 2020.07.07 RISO KAGAKU CORP

AI summary

A door opening/closing device including a door, a locking hook mounted on an inner surface of the door, a solenoid mounted in a device housing, a locking lever connected swingably to a movable iron core of the solenoid and having a free end on an opposite side of a connection portion, and a controller for controlling the solenoid, in which the controller executes control so as to, if the door is closed and locked, separate the locking lever from the locking hook to release locking in conjunction with the movable iron core retreated by an electromagnetic attracting force by executing conduction control of the solenoid, and maintain an unlocked state while the door is closed by executing non-conduction control of the solenoid after unlocking and bringing the free end of the locking lever into contact with the locking hook by a return spring force.