Cylinder Lock Actuator Nesting for Secure Rotation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electromechanical cylinder locks face challenges in integrating with conventional mechanical locking devices and risk unauthorized activation, leading to security concerns.

Innovation Solution

A cylinder lock design featuring a mechanical locking slide guided on the inner circumference of the cylinder housing, with an electromechanical actuator that connects or disconnects the locking slide from the cylinder core, ensuring secure axial movement and rotation only when an authorized key is present, and incorporating a locking pin for coding verification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If an electromechanical locking device is integrated with a conventional mechanical locking device, then the lock can be actuated electronically, but the integration is difficult and security is compromised due to unauthorized activation risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromechanical actuationVSAvoidsecurity against unauthorized activation
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the electromechanical actuator and the mechanical locking slide into a single integrated unit. The actuator is positioned within the locking slide structure, and both components work together as one unified mechanism. This merging ensures that electronic actuation and mechanical locking are inseparable, preventing unauthorized electronic activation without proper mechanical key engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking slide acts as an intermediary component between the electromechanical actuator and the cylinder core. It receives actuation forces from the motor and transmits them to the cylinder core through positive guidance on the inner circumference. This intermediary role ensures that electronic actuation can only effectuate locking changes when the mechanical key has properly positioned the locking slide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the locking slide is positively guided on the inner circumference of the cylinder housing, then rotation control is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation controlVSAvoidguiding mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent guides the locking slide along the inner circumference of the cylinder housing, utilizing the circumferential dimension for positive guidance. This dimensional approach allows rotation control to be achieved through the natural circular path of the cylinder housing rather than requiring additional complex guiding structures, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable rotation control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of moving object

If the actuator is integrated into the locking slide, then space is saved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidintegration tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator is nested within the locking slide structure, with the motor positioned inside or adjacent to the locking slide body. This nesting arrangement allows the actuator to occupy the internal space of the locking slide rather than requiring separate mounting space, achieving space-saving integration while using standard manufacturing tolerances for the nested components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP4320323B1Cylinder lock
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 EVVA SICHERHEITSTECHNOLOGIE GMBH
  • EP4320323B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP4320323B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4320323B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a cylinder lock (1) having a cylinder core (4) which can be rotated in a cylinder housing (2), comprising a key channel (5) for inserting a key (6), wherein the cylinder lock (1) is designed to assume an enabling state, in which the rotation of the cylinder core (4) is enabled, and to assume a blocking state, in which the rotation of the cylinder core (3) is blocked, and wherein a blocking slide (7) is provided that is movable in the cylinder core (4) along the longitudinal axis (3) and has at least one radial extension (8) which is guided in at least one substantially annular housing groove (9) extending on the inner circumference of the cylinder housing (2), wherein a locking element (10) is provided that is designed to form-fittingly connect the blocking slide (7) to the cylinder core (4) in the blocking state and to detach the blocking slide (7) from the cylinder core (4) in the enabling state, and wherein an electromechanical actuator, for example an electric motor (11), arranged in the blocking slide (7) is provided and is designed to activate the locking element (10).