Piezo actuator cuts power for remote locking
A
Servocell product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Oct 7, 2003
The Active Latch is the world's first robust, reliable low-power alternative to solenoid-driven or motorised actuation and is available for manufacturers developing low-cost high-security products.
The Active Latch is the world's first robust, reliable and low-power alternative to solenoid-driven or motorised actuation and is now available for manufacturers developing low-cost high-security products.
The technology is also ideal for the most innovative, future access control solutions such as domestic keyless locking.
The Active Latch module is based on proven, smart piezomaterial technology which is widely used in circuit breakers for its speed, reliability, and durability.
The low-maintenance module shows no noticeable wear even after more than one and half million cycles.
Although electronic locks are increasingly used, most of today's designs use power-hungry solenoids to actuate the release mechanism.
They require continuous loading to maintain the system and generate heat.
Motorised actuation is often used as an alternative but it is also power inefficient, prone to attack (eg where the pin can be knocked out of the ratchet), and can be slow to respond.
Active Latch offers several advantages over traditional approaches to help lock manufacturers expand into new areas.
The compact module is 31 x 21 x 12mm so can easily be integrated into existing lock designs, as well as being small enough to fit within the door leaf or for lockers and cabinets.
All electronics are onboard and the device is controlled with a two-wire system making it compatible with existing access control systems.
The new module's low power is a real benefit to the market.
Active Latch has a power consumption of just 6mW per operation - low enough to make battery power supply a realistic option to mains power.
The module has no heat buildup and can be operated from a network signal.
The module is also highly resistant to vibration and hammer attack and is designed to meet UL1034, BS3621, EN12209-3 and ANSI A156 security standards.
A smart piezo-actuator is at the heart of Active Latch.
The device uses a spring-loaded plunger that moves freely and is connected to a blocking arm.
It has two states: locked and open.
When locked, or in the inactivated state, the plunger within the lock can be depressed so when a handle is operated only the latch rotates and the door does not open.
By applying power, the actuator moves and blocks the plunger so that it cannot be depressed.
When the handle is now depressed in this activated or open state the whole mechanism rotates and the lock opens.
The standard unit works at a temperature range of 0 to 50C, and modules that work at extended ranges can also be supplied to meet specific manufacturer requirements.
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