Programmable Cylinder Lock Dual-Toothing Axial Encoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional programmable cylinder locks are limited in the number of possible codification combinations due to the fixed pitch of toothings on key followers and locking pins, which restricts the number of different keys that can be accommodated without compromising mechanical strength and manufacturing ease.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating two parallel and adjacent toothings on at least one member of each pair of locking pins and key followers, with one member having limited mobility along the rotor axis, allowing engagement in either toothing, effectively doubling the number of relative positions and increasing codification combinations without reducing the toothings' pitch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pitch of the cooperating toothings of key followers and locking pins is reduced to increase the number of codification levels, then the number of possible combinations increases, but the mechanical strength of the engagement and manufacturing ease deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a second degree of freedom by allowing axial displacement of the locking pin along the rotor axis. This enables the same toothing pitch to engage at multiple axial positions (first toothing engagement and second toothing engagement), effectively creating additional codification levels without reducing the toothing pitch. The axial dimension becomes an additional variable for encoding, transforming a 2D toothing engagement problem into a 3D solution space.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin is segmented into two functional zones: a first toothing portion and a second toothing portion, separated by an intermediate section. This segmentation allows the locking pin to engage with the key follower at two distinct axial positions, each providing a set of codification levels. The segmentation enables the system to achieve doubled codification capacity while maintaining the same toothing pitch and mechanical strength characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the pitch of the cooperating toothings is reduced to increase codification levels, then the number of different keys increases, but the manufacture difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing the axial dimension for additional toothing engagement, the invention avoids the need to manufacture finer, more precise toothings. The same toothing pitch can be used, but the axial displacement capability allows multiple engagement positions, effectively increasing the number of different keys without increasing manufacturing complexity or precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin is divided into segments with different toothing characteristics. The first toothing portion and second toothing portion can be manufactured independently at standard pitch specifications, avoiding the need for complex fine-pitch toothings. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing while achieving higher codification capacity through the combination of multiple engagement positions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pitch of the cooperating toothings is reduced to increase codification levels, then the number of possible combinations increases, but the engagement mechanical strength becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention compensates for the potential weakness of fine-pitch toothings by distributing the engagement force across two separate toothing engagements along the axial direction. Each toothing engagement operates at standard pitch with sufficient mechanical strength, and the combination of both engagements provides the increased codification capacity. This approach maintains force integrity while achieving higher combination numbers.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin's toothing is segmented into two distinct engagement zones, each capable of withstanding full mechanical loads independently. This segmentation ensures that each toothing engagement maintains adequate mechanical strength, while the sequential or alternative use of these segments provides the increased number of codification combinations without compromising force capacity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A programmable cylinder lock of the type comprising a stator (1) and a cylindrical rotor (2), mounted inside the stator (1) for rotation around its own axis and having a keyhole for insertion of a key (3), and comprising inside rotor (1) a number of key followers (4) movable along their own longitudinal and transversal directions, intended to cooperate with a key (3) inserted into the keyhole of rotor (2), and a number of locking pins (6) movable along their own longitudinal direction, the key followers (4) and locking pins (6) forming together a number of pairs and having toothings intended to cooperate in order to define the lock codification, the rotor (2) including a stop bar (9) cooperating with a longitudinal groove (10) of stator (1) and having projections susceptible of cooperating with notches of the locking pins (6) in order to immobilize the locking pins (6) when the stop bar (9) engages the locking pins (6), and comprising a change bar (11) which is slidingly coupled with the key followers (4) in order to normally keeping the key followers (4) engaged with the locking pins (6) and to disengage the key followers (4) from the locking pins (6) when the change bar (11) provides a lock programming position, characterized in that one of the members (4, 6) which compose a pair is provided with two parallel and adjacent toothings (7a, 7b), each toothing (7a, 7b) having its pitch phase displaced with respect to the pitch phase of the other toothing (7b, 7a), and in that at least one of the members (4, 6), which compose the pair has a limited mobility along the direction of the axis of rotor (2).