Electronic Cylinder Lock Key Emulator Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cylinder locks require a key for operation and lack a reliable method to unlock without power, especially during electrical failures.
Innovation Solution
A combined electrical/mechanical cylinder lock utilizing a key emulator and clutch mechanism that allows rotation of the plug without a key, using a shaft and key emulator to align tumbler pins, and includes a mechanically accessible handle and twist knob for manual operation, enabling keyless unlocking and secure key-based operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional mechanical cylinder lock uses a key-operated pin-tumbler mechanism, then secure locking is achieved, but the lock cannot be unlocked without a key during power failures or emergencies
Solution Approach 1:
A key emulator is introduced as an intermediary component that can be inserted into the key slot from the interior side of the lock. This emulator replicates the key's function by aligning the pin tumblers without requiring an actual key, thereby enabling keyless unlocking while maintaining the security of the original key-operated mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the traditional key insertion direction by allowing the key emulator to be inserted from the interior side of the lock rather than from the exterior. This reversal enables the lock to be unlocked from the inside without a key, providing a fail-safe mechanism for emergencies or power failures
2Ease of operation
If an electronic locking mechanism is added to enable keyless operation, then convenience is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The key emulator is designed to be manually operable by the user without requiring external power sources, electronic controls, or complex actuation mechanisms. The user simply inserts the emulator into the key slot and rotates it, allowing the lock's existing mechanical components to perform the unlocking function, thereby avoiding additional complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating a completely new electronic unlocking system, the invention creates a physical copy (the key emulator) that replicates the function of the original key. This copy can be inserted into the existing key slot and operates through the same pin-tumbler mechanism, providing keyless operation without requiring a separate electronic system
3Ease of operation
If the lock allows rotation from both sides, then accessibility is improved, but security vulnerability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lock mechanism has different functional qualities on each side: the exterior side maintains its original key-operated security feature, while the interior side gains keyless operation capability through the emulator. This localized differentiation allows bidirectional accessibility while preserving security on the exterior side
Solution Approach 2:
The unlocking function is segmented into two distinct modes: key-operated unlocking from the exterior side and emulator-operated unlocking from the interior side. This segmentation allows each side to have optimized security characteristics appropriate to its location and usage requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A cylinder lock device including: a body housing having a bore having a first end and a second end, with a direction of elongation defining an axial direction for the device; a rotatable cylindrical plug in the bore, the plug having an axially extending key slot from the first end; a plurality of tumbler pins deployed at least partially within the plug and displaceable by a key to enable rotation of the plug; and an opening mechanism comprising a shaft connected to a key emulator and wherein the key emulator is translatable into the key slot from within the body housing, the key emulator shaped to match and engage the plurality of tumbler pins, and adapted to displace the plurality of tumbler pins, thereby selectively enabling rotation of the plug.