Wireless-Powered Electronic Lock Unlocking Without Built-In Batteries
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic locks require detachable batteries for operation, leading to issues such as power depletion and potential decryption when batteries run out, and may still be decrypted even when powered, posing challenges in reliable unlocking and locking mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing real-time wireless power supply from a smart mobile device or electronic key to an electronic lock, where the lock remains in an offline state until authentication is successful, allowing power transfer only within a communication range, enabling operation and subsequent locking or unlocking commands, with a pre-set period for maintaining power supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a detachable battery is used to power the electronic lock, then the lock can operate autonomously, but the battery may run out of power leading to lock failure or decryption vulnerability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the battery power source from the lock system entirely, extracting the power supply function from the lock itself and relocating it to an external electronic key. This eliminates the problem of battery depletion while maintaining lock operation capability through wireless power transfer during authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic key serves multiple functions: it stores authentication credentials, provides wireless communication for authentication, and acts as a portable power source through wireless power transfer. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by combining authentication and power supply in a single external device.
2Reliability
If the lock remains in offline state for security, then decryption difficulty increases, but authentication and unlocking operations cannot proceed without power
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary wireless power transfer during the authentication process before the actual unlocking action. This ensures the lock has sufficient power to execute the unlocking command while maintaining security through the offline state, resolving the contradiction between security and operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Wireless power transfer acts as an intermediary mechanism that temporarily connects the electronic key and lock during authentication. This allows power to be supplied without establishing a permanent online connection, maintaining security while enabling operation.
3Reliability
If wireless power supply is provided continuously, then the lock remains operational, but power consumption from the electronic key increases
Solution Approach 1:
Wireless power supply is provided periodically only during authentication events rather than continuously. The lock transitions to an offline state between authentications, eliminating unnecessary power consumption while maintaining operational availability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock dynamically switches between online (powered and operational) and offline (unpowered and secure) states based on authentication requirements. This dynamic behavior optimizes the balance between operational availability and energy consumption from the electronic key.
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
Ensures the lock operates without a built-in power source, preventing decryption and ensuring reliable unlocking and locking functions without battery concerns, as the electronic key can continuously supply power, maintaining the lock in a secure state.
Implementation Method 1
wirelessly supplying power from the electronic key to the lock when the distance between the electronic key and the lock is in the communication range
Data Source
AI summary
A method for unlocking the lock using real-time wireless power supply includes proceeding with authentication identification of a powerless lock by an electronic key after pairing. Power is wirelessly supplied from the electronic key to the lock when the authentication identification starts or the authentication identification passes. The lock obtains the power wirelessly supplied from the lock to operate. When the authentication identification is identified as being successful, the electronic key outputs an unlocking command to the lock. The lock receiving the unlocking command proceeds with an unlocking operation using the power supplied wirelessly.