Cylinder Lock Key With Movable Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cylinder locks are vulnerable to unauthorized manipulation and key duplication due to their design, which allows for easy recognition and accessibility, compromising security.

Innovation Solution

A cylinder lock design featuring a key with an integrated movable element and additional blocking elements on the core and housing, including longitudinal slots and a rotating locking element, which increases complexity and security by requiring precise key alignment and reduces the number of movable parts for enhanced reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional blocking elements and longitudinal slots are added to the core, then security against manipulation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against manipulationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking function is segmented into multiple independent elements (first blocking element, second blocking element, third blocking element) positioned at different locations in the core. Each blocking element operates independently to prevent manipulation, distributing the security function across multiple simple components rather than one complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a complex active mechanism to detect and prevent manipulation, the patent uses passive blocking elements that inherently prevent unauthorized operations. The longitudinal slots are opened into the key channel to allow key insertion, but the blocking elements strategically positioned within the core create passive security barriers that work against manipulation attempts without requiring active detection systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If a movable cylindrical element is inserted in the key, then key duplication difficulty is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekey duplication difficultyVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The movable cylindrical element is nested within the key structure, specifically inserted into the longitudinal slot. The element can move within constrained boundaries defined by the slot, creating a multi-layered key configuration. This nesting approach increases security because the movable element adds a dynamic component that must be precisely positioned, making unauthorized duplication significantly more difficult while using relatively simple manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 design enhances security by making key duplication difficult and introducing diversity through mirror-image configurations, thereby increasing the reliability and resistance to manipulation.

Implementation Method 1

having its one end engaged under a spring pressure into respective slot, formed in the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring pressure: Spring

Implementation Method 2

mounting a locking element with possibility for rotation around an axis passing through the locking element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotation:

Data Source

PatentEP2984261B1Cylinder lock
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 ASSA ABLOY OPENING SOLUTIONS BULGARIA EOOD
  • EP2984261B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1a
  • EP2984261B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3a
  • EP2984261B1 patent drawingFigure 4~4a

AI summary

A key with an integrated movable element and an associated cylinder lock can be implemented for the configuration of locking systems with an increased security for living houses, public etc. buildings, as well for cabinets, safes, padlocks etc. The key (1) has a key blade (11) defined by two wide surfaces (12 and 18) with longitudinal grooves (13) and two narrow surfaces (16 and 30) with transversal notches (14) formed on the narrow surface (30). On one of the wide key blade surfaces (12) or (18) there is made an additional longitudinal guide groove (15) where is formed a rectangular through hole (4) in which there is inserted a movable cylindrical element (2) with a central borehole (2a) loosely fitted on a key pin (3) with possibility for radial displacement towards it, as the outer diameter of the movable cylindrical element (2) is equal to the key blade (11) thickness.