Touch Isolated Electronic Lock Housing Interchangeability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional electronic locks with touch activation features face challenges in maintaining a proper seal around internal electronics and swapping the lockset housing, making it difficult to match with other hardware in terms of style and finish.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an isolated touch member electronically connected to a controller, with an insulating arrangement that includes a translucent portion for sealing and light transmission, allowing the outer housing to be easily interchangeable without affecting the lock's operation, ensuring reliable touch activation and weatherproofing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional lockset housing is used with touch activation features, then the lock provides electronic functionality, but the housing cannot be easily swapped to match different hardware styles and the seal around internal electronics becomes compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The lockset is divided into separate functional modules: the touch-activated electronic components are housed in an isolated interior cavity within the latch housing, while the outer housing can be independently selected and attached. This segmentation allows the outer housing to be swapped for aesthetic matching without affecting the sealed electronic components inside.
Solution Approach 2:
An insulating arrangement acts as an intermediary between the conductive touch member and the outer housing. This intermediary component provides both electrical isolation and sealing functionality, allowing the outer housing to be changed while maintaining the integrity of the internal seal and electrical connections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the outer housing is made interchangeable for aesthetic purposes, then users can match hardware styles, but maintaining a proper seal around internal electronics becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented from the outer housing and integrated into the insulating arrangement that surrounds the interior cavity. This allows the outer housing to be a simple aesthetic cover that can be easily manufactured and swapped, while the sealing function is handled by a dedicated component that maintains electrical isolation and weatherproofing.
3Device complexity
If the touch member is electrically connected to the housing, then the structure is simpler, but the housing cannot be electrically isolated for touch activation functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating arrangement serves as an intermediary that provides both mechanical support and electrical isolation. It allows the touch member to be conductive and electrically connected to the controller while simultaneously isolating it from the outer housing, enabling reliable capacitive touch activation without structural complexity.
4Strength
If the housing is made of conductive material for structural strength, then the lock is more durable, but it interferes with touch activation sensing
Solution Approach 1:
The housing system is segmented into the outer housing (which can be conductive for strength and aesthetics) and the interior cavity housing (which contains the touch member and is electrically isolated). This segmentation allows each component to have optimal properties: the outer housing provides structural strength and aesthetic matching, while the isolated interior cavity enables accurate touch sensing.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic lock includes a latch assembly that has a latch housing and a bolt. The bolt is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The electronic lock includes a controller connected to a circuit board. The controller is configured to electronically control movement of the bolt between the extended position and the retracted position. The electronic lock includes an exposed conductive touch member. The conductive touch member is in electrical communication with the controller. The electronic lock includes an insulating arrangement positioned between the conductive touch member and the circuit board. The electronic lock includes a housing at least partially surrounding the conductive touch member. The housing is electrically isolated from the conductive touch member by at least a portion of the insulating arrangement.