A Roundup of Those Small but Super Practical Smart Lock Design Details!
After years of development, smart lock products have become relatively mature. People are now quite familiar with common structural designs and features. For example, functions like facial recognition, video intercom, and structural designs like anti-pinch features, as well as Type C charging ports, all contribute to making smart locks safer, smarter, and more convenient.
In fact, there are also some very useful designs on smart locks that aren't the main selling points promoted by manufacturers, but they can significantly improve both installation and user experience.
1. Deadbolt Locking Knob Protection
Most smart locks are equipped with a deadbolt locking knob, but since this feature is usually located at the bottom of the lock, it can easily be accidentally turned by children. The deadbolt locking knob protection design requires users to both press and rotate the knob to engage or disengage it. This feature helps prevent the deadbolt from being unintentionally locked or unlocked, adding an extra layer of security.
2. Directional Marking on Square Steel
Generally, the square steel of smart locks is a smooth rectangular shape, but some models use specially designed square steel. To aid in installation, these types of square steel are 6. often marked with directional indicators. This design is extremely helpful for installers, ensuring that the square steel is properly oriented and installed correctly the first time.
3. Uniform Panel Wiring Head Colors
Smart locks feature multiple interfaces for different functions, and these interfaces can sometimes look similar in width and appearance, leading to connection mistakes or even damage to internal components. To avoid this, many locks use color-coded markings on the wiring heads, with connectors for the same function sharing the same color. This makes installation easier for technicians, as they simply need to connect the cables marked with the same color.
4. Full-Keypad Sensing Area
For the sake of integration, many smart locks combine the NFC and numerical keypad functions. However, on most models, the NFC area is quite small, which can lead to scanning errors. To solve this issue, some smart locks are now designed with a full-keypad sensing area, allowing the entire keypad to serve as a touch-sensitive area for card scanning, making the unlocking process more accurate and convenient.
5. Integrated Battery Cover
Typically, the lithium battery and back cover of a smart lock are separate, with the battery located beneath the back cover. However, some manufacturers have integrated the battery into the panel design, making installation and replacement much easier. Another solution in the industry is the drawer-style battery compartment. Both of these battery compartment designs are very convenient for practical use, offering quick and easy access for maintenance or battery replacement.
6. Press-to-Open Keyhole Cover
Currently, many smart locks feature a mechanical keyhole on the front panel that requires a twist to open, and users often need to pry open the cover, which can sometimes be difficult. However, some manufacturers have introduced a press-to-open keyhole cover, where users can simply press the cover to open it, offering a much easier and more convenient experience.
7. Leak-proof Battery Compartment
For locks using dry batteries, if the batteries are installed incorrectly, it can lead to abnormal power supply or leakage. To prevent this, manufacturers often design the battery compartment with protective measures. For example, if a battery is installed incorrectly, the lock will not power on, preventing damage and leakage.
As we can see, excellent designs always impress, and the underlying logic comes from a deep understanding of the needs during the pre-sale, in-sale, and after-sale phases of smart locks. These designs are based on practicality and realism. Some of these changes may seem very small, but even minor adjustments can have a significant impact, playing a crucial role in converting users and enhancing their experience.
At the same time, we firmly believe that outstanding design in smart locks goes beyond these examples. We hope the design highlights shared here can serve as valuable references for manufacturers. We encourage industry peers to carefully observe user needs and design products from the user’s perspective. This way, we can create truly user-friendly and secure products.