Wireless Charging for Electronic Door Locks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional electronic door locks powered by disposable battery packs require frequent maintenance for battery replacement, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the lack of a reliable wireless recharging system.

Innovation Solution

A wireless battery charging system that includes an electronic control module and an electronic lock module, which monitor the battery charge status and wirelessly recharge a rechargeable battery when it falls below a predetermined threshold, eliminating the need for periodic battery replacements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If disposable battery packs are used to power electronic door locks, then the system can operate without wireless recharging infrastructure, but frequent battery replacement is required increasing maintenance needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational continuityVSAvoidmaintenance frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables the battery to recharge itself wirelessly through inductive coupling. The electronic door lock continuously receives power from the power source via wireless energy transfer, automatically maintaining its battery charge without human intervention for battery replacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical battery replacement process with a wireless electromagnetic induction system. Instead of physically removing and replacing battery packs, the system uses inductive coupling between a power source and the battery to transfer energy wirelessly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If wireless battery recharging system is implemented, then maintenance frequency is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance frequencyVSAvoidsystem components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power source is designed to perform multiple functions: it can wirelessly recharge the battery and also serve as an external power supply to directly power the electronic door lock components. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated charging equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a wireless power transfer intermediary (electromagnetic field through inductive coupling) between the power source and the battery. This intermediary enables energy transfer without direct physical contact or complex wired connections, simplifying the overall system architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If disposable batteries are used in electronic door locks, then initial device cost is lower, but long-term costs increase due to repeated battery replacements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial device costVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary recharging action continuously in the background. The battery is kept charged through ongoing wireless power transfer before depletion occurs, preventing the need for maintenance actions entirely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of discarding depleted disposable batteries, the system recovers energy continuously through wireless recharging. The rechargeable battery repeatedly accepts energy transfers, extending its service life indefinitely without disposal or replacement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 reduces maintenance needs by automatically recharging the battery when necessary, extending its lifespan and minimizing manual intervention, thus enhancing the operational efficiency and convenience of electronic door locks.

Implementation Method 1

a wireless charging system that wirelessly receives power from a power source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9876387B2Wireless battery charging systems and methods for an electronic lock

Publication Date: 2018.01.23 FP WIRELESS

AI summary

Example systems and methods are described that wirelessly charge a rechargeable battery associated with a lock. In one implementation, a rechargeable battery is electrically coupled to an electronic lock module associated with a door corresponding to a door frame. An electronic control module associated with the door frame and physically separate from the electronic lock module generates a wireless charging link between the electronic control module and the electronic lock module. The electronic control module transmits a charging signal to the electronic lock module via the wireless charging link, and the electronic lock module uses this charging signal to charge the rechargeable battery. The implementation also includes a lock associated with the door that can be locked or unlocked by the electronic lock module.