Anti-snap Cylinder Lock Assembly with Segmented Breaking Structure
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-snap cylinder locks can still be compromised by vandals after breaking, as sufficient material remains that can be grasped with tools, allowing further unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
An anti-snap cylinder lock assembly with a pre-formed breaking structure featuring notches that are axially spaced and extend over different peripheries, forming a broken surface that is difficult or impossible to grasp with tools, and includes locking elements operable post-breakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single pre-formed notch is used to create a break region, then the cylinder lock can break along a controlled path, but sufficient material remains that can still be grasped with tools allowing further unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The single notch is divided into multiple notches (first notch and second notch) that are axially spaced apart along the cylinder lock body. This segmentation creates multiple break points that work together to produce a more effective anti-snap geometry, ensuring that when the lock breaks, it creates a stepped configuration that eliminates graspable surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The notches are positioned at different axial locations and extend over different peripheries of the cylinder lock body, creating a stepped break surface that introduces dimensional complexity. This multi-level configuration prevents vandals from finding a continuous surface to apply tool force, as the break occurs across multiple planes rather than a single flat surface.
2Ease of manufacture
If the outer notch extends over less periphery than the inner notch, then the break geometry may be simpler to manufacture, but the resulting broken surface may still provide grasping points for tools
Solution Approach 1:
The notches are designed with asymmetric characteristics where the outer notch extends over a greater peripheral distance than the inner notch. This asymmetric configuration creates an optimized stepped geometry that progressively reduces material availability for grasping while maintaining manufacturability through standard machining operations.
Data Source
Figure 1A~2B
Figure 3A~4B
Figure 5A~6
AI summary
An anti-snap cylinder lock assembly including a plug having a keyway and arranged for movement in a bore formed in a cylinder lock body, wherein the cylinder lock body is formed with pre-formed breaking structure, which when broken, forms a broken surface which is not perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder lock body or of the plug.