A solenoid lock uses an electromagnetic solenoid to lock or open doors. It works by pulling the latch in the door when a button or controller is activated. The lock can be kept open for extended periods using a latching solenoid. These locks are widely used in remote security access and automotive doors.
A solenoid lock is a remote door locking mechanism that locks or opens by means of an electromagnetic solenoid. In most cases, the actual locking mechanism of a solenoid lock will be identical to a conventional key-operated example. The only difference between the two is the inclusion of a low voltage solenoid in the mechanism, which pulls the latch in the door when a button or other controller is activated. The bolt will then be held in the door for as long as the button is pressed or, in the case of a latching solenoid, indefinitely until the button or controller is activated again. These types of locks are widely used in remote security access and automotive doors.
Most locks work in one of two basic ways. In the case of access doors in buildings, a latch or pins in the locking mechanism located in the door leaf are driven into a hollow recess or socket in the frame, thus preventing the door from opening. A fairly simple cam arrangement allows the bolt to be drawn out and held in the locking mechanism when the door is unlocked. Car door locks usually work a little differently and have a splined cam that locks onto a locking bar on the body of the car. An arrangement of levers and links is used to lift the cam and open or lock the mechanism.
The solenoid lock, on the other hand, uses a static wire-wound coil and a moving armature or plunger to do the key and linkage work in conventional locks. The coil is connected to a circuit, which will include a low voltage direct current (DC) power source and at least one control input such as a push button. When the control is activated, electric current flows to the coil, energizing it and creating a strong magnetic field around it. This magnetic field attracts the armature or plunger, causing it to move rapidly towards the coil. The latch or cam of the locking mechanism is secured to the armature or plunger via an actuator arm and is consequently pulled out of the locked position.
In the case of some security access doors, the electric lock will remain active for a couple of seconds due to a built-in delay circuit that allows the door to open time. It can also be kept active by an operator by holding down the control button until the door opens. When power is removed to the solenoid, the latch resets and the door locks again when closed. Where the lock is required to remain open for extended periods a latching solenoid can be used. These solenoids include a series of permanent magnets in the back of the coil that hold the plunger in place, allowing power to be cut off to the solenoid’s door lock coil, preventing overheating and unnecessary power consumption.
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