Wireless Electronic Lock System Reducing Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic locks in multi-unit buildings face high maintenance costs due to frequent battery replacements in battery-powered systems and significant initial installation costs for wired systems, with inefficiencies in power usage and bulkiness being additional issues.

Innovation Solution

The electronic lock system eliminates the need for a battery pack by relocating access card read/write, control, and memory circuitry to a proximity location with continuous power, using wireless communication and power transfer to the lock unit, which is minimized in size and powered by electromagnetic signals or a dynamo.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If battery-powered electronic locks are used, then the lock can operate independently without wired power sources, but the maintenance cost increases due to frequent battery replacements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent operationVSAvoidmaintenance cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the power consumption burden from the lock unit by relocating the access card reader, control circuitry, and memory to a proximity location with continuous power supply. This leaves only minimal components (latch mechanism and wireless receiver) in the lock unit, eliminating batteries and maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is divided into two segments: the lock unit containing only essential components (latch and wireless receiver), and the proximity location housing the power-intensive components (reader, controller, memory). This segmentation allows the lock to operate independently without batteries while the proximal system provides continuous power and processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If wired power sources are used for electronic locks, then the initial installation cost increases due to wiring requirements, but the maintenance cost decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance costVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wiring system with a wireless communication system. The lock unit communicates with the proximal control system via wireless signals, eliminating the need to run physical wires through door cores and reducing installation complexity while maintaining continuous power supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The proximal location acts as an intermediary between the power source and the lock unit. It receives power continuously, processes access requests, and communicates wirelessly with the lock, mediating the interaction between power supply and lock operation without requiring direct wired connection to the lock.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If continuous standby state is maintained for access card reading, then the lock is ready for immediate operation, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereadiness for operationVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous operation, the lock unit activates periodically or on-demand based on wireless signals from the proximal system. The access card reader at the proximal location operates continuously with continuous power, while the lock unit remains in low-power state until activated, reducing overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The proximal control system acts as an intermediary that handles continuous processing of access cards and communicates results wirelessly to the lock unit. This separates the continuous operation requirement from the lock unit, allowing the lock to remain in low-power state while the proximal system maintains readiness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If battery pack, access card slot, and circuitry are integrated in the lock unit, then the lock is self-contained, but the size and bulkiness increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveself-contained operationVSAvoidlock unit size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the bulk-contributing components (battery pack, access card slot, processing circuitry, memory) from the lock unit and relocates them to the proximal location. This leaves only the essential latch mechanism and wireless receiver in the lock unit, dramatically reducing its size and eliminating aesthetic concerns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 reduces maintenance, power consumption, and size of the lock unit while ensuring efficient functionality and aesthetic appeal, as the lock unit is activated only when needed, using stored energy for operations.

Implementation Method 1

The controller is disposed for wirelessly communicating with the electronic lock and wirelessly providing power to the electronic lock

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS8354914B2Reduced power electronic lock system

Publication Date: 2013.01.15 INNCOM INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

An electronic lock system including an electronic lock disposed in a door and a device external to the door disposed for wirelessly providing power to the electronic lock.