Coaxial Resilient Key Blank for Enhanced Lock Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional key blanks for cylinder locks lack versatility and security due to limited combinations and ease of picking, as they often rely on single protruding elements or simple pin mechanisms, making them susceptible to unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A key blank featuring coaxial, resilient, or spring-loaded operating elements positioned on opposite surfaces of the shaft, which protrude and retract to engage multiple pin mechanisms, providing increased combinations and enhanced security through reversible designs and multiple operational axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional key blanks with single protruding elements or simple pin mechanisms are used, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but security is weak and combinations are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The key blank is segmented into multiple independent operating elements (first and second elements) positioned on opposite surfaces of the shaft. Each element can be independently configured with different heights, materials, or geometries, allowing multiple pin mechanisms to be manipulated simultaneously. This segmentation increases security by requiring coordination of multiple elements rather than a single protruding element.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional single-surface protruding elements to a multi-dimensional arrangement with elements on opposite surfaces of the shaft. This spatial dimensionality change allows the key to engage multiple pin mechanisms at different locations and orientations, significantly increasing the number of possible combinations and making picking more difficult.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operating elements are added to increase combinations, then security and versatility improve, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second operating elements are designed with universal characteristics - they can be made from the same or different materials, with varying heights and geometries, yet both serve the same fundamental function of engaging pin mechanisms. This universality allows standardized manufacturing processes to produce elements with different configurations from the same basic design, increasing versatility without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes parameter changes in the operating elements - varying heights, materials, geometries, and positions of the first and second elements - to create diverse key configurations. By changing these parameters rather than fundamentally altering the basic structure, the system achieves high adaptability and number of combinations while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes.
3Reliability
If coaxial resilient or spring-loaded elements are used, then security and reversibility are enhanced, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the resilient or spring-loaded mechanism into the operating elements themselves, with the spring component integrated within or associated with each element. This integration allows the elements to automatically protrude and retract without requiring separate actuating mechanisms, enhancing security through consistent engagement while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through functional consolidation.
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
The key blank significantly increases the number of possible combinations and enhances security by requiring multiple pin mechanisms to be manipulated simultaneously, making it more difficult to pick the lock, while maintaining reversibility and efficient manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
each operating element is constructed from a resilient material and/or is a spring loaded element... each operating element protrudes from a surface of the shaft while no external forces are applied on the element and retracts inwardly into a cavity in response to an external force exerted on it
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2A~2E
Figure 3~4B
AI summary
A key blank comprises a shaft and a head connected to the shaft, the shaft including first and second surface that are oppositely facing, wherein the surfaces are configured to include combination elements to operate a lock and a pair of coaxial operating elements, wherein one element of the pair is operative from the first surface of the shaft and the other element of the pair is operative from the second surface of the shaft, and wherein at least one of the operative elements is a resilient element mounted inside a bore provided in the shaft, wherein the resilient element is operative to exert a compressive force on a pin mechanism of the lock in response to the operative engagement and thereby release the pin mechanism from a lock position, without requiring any pressure on the coaxial element on the other side.