Cylinder Lock Sidebar Rotor Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cylinder locks face challenges in securing the rotor against rotation without increasing the lock's size, particularly in limited construction spaces, when no key or a non-fitting key is inserted.
Innovation Solution
A compact cylinder lock design featuring a rotor with spring-loaded tumblers and a sidebar that moves between locked and unlocked positions, allowing the rotor to rotate only when all tumblers are correctly aligned, utilizing a single spring and ball mechanism for pretensioning the sidebar, which is arranged to minimize interference with the tumbler spring elements and reduce material costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate transversal locking function is added to block rotor rotation, then the lock's inviolability is improved, but the lock size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sidebar locking function is merged with the existing tumbler mechanism. The sidebar is integrated into the rotor and works in conjunction with the tumblers, combining two locking functions (tumbler alignment and sidebar blocking) into a single compact structure. This eliminates the need for a separate transversal locking mechanism while maintaining enhanced security.
Solution Approach 2:
The sidebar operates in a different dimensional space than the tumblers. While tumblers move radially outward/inward, the sidebar moves axially (parallel to the rotor axis) and rotates with the rotor. This dimensional differentiation allows both mechanisms to coexist in the same lock body without increasing its overall footprint.
2Reliability
If the sidebar is positioned to prevent rotor rotation, then security is improved, but space for spring element arrangement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor is segmented into distinct functional zones: the radial zone for tumbler movement and spring elements, and the axial zone for sidebar movement. This spatial segmentation allows both mechanisms to operate independently without interfering with each other's space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The sidebar is positioned and moves in the axial dimension (parallel to the rotor axis), while the spring elements and tumblers operate in the radial dimension. This dimensional separation resolves the space conflict by allowing both components to occupy different spatial planes within the same rotor structure.
3Force
If multiple components are used for sidebar pretensioning, then the pretensioning force is sufficient, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sidebar pretensioning function is merged with the existing spring element system. The same spring elements that pretension the tumblers also pretension the sidebar, eliminating the need for separate pretensioning springs. This reduces the total component count while maintaining sufficient pretensioning force for both mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring elements serve multiple functions: they pretension both the tumblers and the sidebar, and they provide the restoring force for both mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the number of parts needed while ensuring both the tumbler and sidebar systems have adequate pretensioning force.
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 the lock's inviolability by ensuring the rotor remains secured until all tumblers are correctly positioned, allowing for a versatile and compact solution that fits various tumbler types, while reducing material and assembly costs.
Implementation Method 1
Each tumbler is pretensioned towards its locked position by a spring element arranged alongside the respective tumbler with regard to the locking direction
Implementation Method 2
a sidebar is provided on the rotor, the sidebar being arranged for motion between a locked position in which it prevents the rotation of the rotor and an unlocked position in which it allows the rotation of the rotor
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A cylinder lock (10) intended to be operated by a key has a rotor (12) mounted rotatably in a housing (14). A plurality of spring-loaded tumblers (18) are arranged moveably in the rotor (12) and in the housing (14) along a locking direction (L) between a locked position in which they prevent a rotation of the rotor (12) and an unlocked position in which they allow the rotation of the rotor (12). Each tumbler (18) is pretensioned towards its locked position by a spring element (22) arranged alongside the tumbler (18) with regard to the locking direction (L), each spring element (22) being arranged in a receptacle (24) formed in the rotor (12). A sidebar (34) is provided on the rotor (12), the sidebar (34) being arranged for motion between a locked position in which it prevents the rotation of the rotor (12) and an unlocked position in which it allows the rotation of the rotor (12), wherein the sidebar (34) is arranged along the locking direction (L) of the tumblers (18) beyond a radially inner end (30) of all receptacles (24) of the spring elements (22).