Switchgear Cabinet Door Lock Antenna Energy Optimization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing locking arrangements for switch cabinets have high energy consumption due to continuous transmission of excitation signals for detecting transponders, making them unsuitable for battery-operated systems, especially in infrequently accessed control cabinets.

Innovation Solution

The antenna of the door lock is designed to be passive and only activates when a transponder with different permeability approaches, inducing a voltage change, which triggers the transmission of an excitation signal, reducing energy consumption by only transmitting when necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the door lock continuously transmits excitation signals to detect transponders, then access authorization can be reliably detected, but energy consumption becomes excessively high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess authorization detectionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The door lock antenna alternates between active transmission mode and passive reception mode. During passive mode, the antenna monitors for transponders without consuming significant energy. When a transponder is detected through passive induction, the antenna switches to active mode to transmit excitation signals for authorization verification. This periodic switching resolves the contradiction by enabling reliable detection only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the transponder itself to trigger the active transmission phase. When a transponder approaches, it passively induces a signal in the antenna, which automatically activates the excitation signal transmission. This self-service mechanism ensures that energy-consuming transmission occurs only when a transponder is present, eliminating the need for continuous monitoring while maintaining reliable detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the door lock remains in active state continuously, then transponders can be detected immediately, but battery life is significantly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransponder detection capabilityVSAvoidbattery life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The door lock operates in cycles of passive monitoring followed by brief active transmission periods. The antenna spends most time in passive state, consuming minimal energy from the battery. When a transponder is detected through passive induction, the system enters active state for authorization verification, then returns to passive state. This periodic operation extends battery life while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary passive detection before activating energy-consuming transmission. The antenna first monitors for the presence of a transponder in passive mode. Only after confirming a transponder is nearby does the system activate the excitation signal transmission. This preliminary action ensures that battery power is consumed only when necessary, significantly extending operational duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the antenna remains passive to save energy, then battery life is extended, but the system cannot detect approaching transponders

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidtransponder detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses electromagnetic induction as an intermediary mechanism to detect transponders in passive state. When a transponder approaches, it creates a detectable change in the magnetic field that induces a signal in the antenna, even though the antenna is not actively transmitting. This intermediary detection method allows the system to identify approaching transponders with minimal energy consumption, then switch to active mode for verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 approach significantly extends battery life by minimizing energy usage, as the system remains in standby mode with no active monitoring, allowing small energy stores to power the system for extended periods without continuous signal transmission.

Implementation Method 1

the approach causes a change in permeability over time in the vicinity of the door lock, thereby inducing an electrical voltage in the door lock's antenna

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3479362B1Locking arrangement for a switchgear cabinet and a corresponding method
Publication Date: 2023.05.31 RITTALWERK RUDOLF LOH GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3479362B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3479362B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a locking arrangement, in particular a door lock arrangement for a switchgear cabinet, which has a system for verifying a locking authorization, wherein the system has a door lock (100) having an antenna (104) for contactlessly receiving an access authorization signal from a separate transponder (201), wherein an excitation signal for the transponder (201) is emitted by the antenna (104) only in an active state of the antenna (104), characterized in that the locking arrangement has a voltmeter (105) which is used to capture an electrical voltage dropped across the antenna (104) or a voltage change in the passive state of the antenna (104), wherein the antenna (104) changes from the passive state to the active state if a voltage drop is present across the antenna (104) in the passive state. A corresponding method is also described.