Cylinder Lock Blocking Bar Guiding Structures Prevent Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cylinder lock assemblies are prone to jamming and sabotage due to the engagement of closing plates with the blocking bar and engagement structures, leading to poor functioning, especially when thinner closing plates are used, which can get caught or stuck during rotation.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of guiding structures at the axial driver pin planes to counteract engagement between key pins and/or closing plates and the engagement structure, along with cams on the blocking bar that are axially staggered to engage the engagement structure, and the use of a meandering slot in the key to reduce the blocking bar's engagement with the housing, enhancing the blocking bar's engagement without increasing jamming risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If closing plates are used between driver pins and key pins to enable locking plans, then versatility is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to jamming and getting stuck during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an engagement structure with a blocking bar as an intermediary component between the cylinder and housing. This blocking bar engages with the engagement structure to prevent rotation when no key is inserted, while the guiding structures ensure that closing plates and key pins are guided past the blocking bar during rotation, preventing jamming while maintaining locking plan capability
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement structure is segmented into multiple components: the blocking bar, the engagement structure with guiding structures, and the series of openings. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the blocking bar provides security, the guiding structures prevent jamming, and the openings accommodate the blocking bar's movement, collectively resolving the contradiction between versatility and reliability
2Device complexity
If thinner closing plates are used to reduce interference, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability worsens as they get caught or stuck more easily during rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding structures act as intermediaries that actively guide the thinner closing plates and key pins past the blocking bar during rotation. This mediation prevents the closing plates from getting caught or stuck, allowing thin closing plates to be used without compromising reliability, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining smooth operation
3Strength
If the blocking bar engagement structure is strengthened to improve security, then strength is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased risk of jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement structure is divided into distinct functional segments: the blocking bar for security engagement, the guiding structures for preventing jamming, and the series of openings for accommodating movement. This segmentation allows the blocking bar engagement to be strengthened for security while the guiding structures simultaneously prevent jamming, resolving the contradiction between strength and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the engagement structure have different local qualities optimized for their specific functions. The blocking bar has strong engagement features for security, while the guiding structures have smooth, guiding surfaces for preventing jamming. This local differentiation allows strength and reliability to be optimized simultaneously in different locations of the same component
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Cylinder lock assembly comprising a housing and a cylinder placed in the housing, which cylinder extends along a cylinder axis and is rotatable with respect to the housing from an initial position around the cylinder axis only when a fitting key is placed in the cylinder. The housing is provided along the cylinder axis with a series of driver pin channels which extend radially in respective axial driver pin planes. The cylinder is provided with a blocking bar which is configured in the absence of a fitting key in the initial position to engage an engagement structure of the housing to counteract rotation of the cylinder relative to the housing. The engagement structure is provided at the axial driver pin planes with respective guiding structures which are configured to counteract engagement between key pins and/or closing plates of the cylinder on the one hand and the engagement structure on the other hand.