Door Lock Cylinder Retainer Assembly Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle door locks lack a retention mechanism to prevent unauthorized detachment of the lock cylinder, making them vulnerable to being easily 'punched out' or removed.
Innovation Solution
A retainer assembly comprising a retainer clip and a keeper that snap onto the lock cylinder, providing a secure attachment without requiring direct attachment to the door, thus eliminating the need for fasteners and drilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retainer assembly is added to prevent unauthorized detachment of the lock cylinder, then security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer assembly is divided into separate components: a retainer clip with legs that engage grooves in the lock cylinder, and a keeper with a slot that receives the retainer clip flange. This segmentation allows the security function to be achieved through simple, discrete parts rather than a complex integrated mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer clip is nested within the keeper structure, with the retainer clip flange extending into the keeper slot. This nesting arrangement provides secure retention while using minimal material and maintaining simplicity in the overall design.
2Strength
If fasteners and drilling are required to attach the retainer to the door, then attachment strength is improved, but installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer assembly is designed to be self-installing on the lock cylinder without requiring external fasteners or drilling operations. The retainer clip legs snap into grooves on the cylinder, and the keeper secures the clip through its slot and spring finger mechanism, making the entire assembly self-contained and tool-free for installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer clip and keeper are combined into a single integrated assembly that attaches to the lock cylinder as one unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate fastening operations and reduces installation steps while maintaining secure attachment through the complementary groove-leg and slot-flange interfaces.
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 solution effectively prevents unauthorized detachment of the lock cylinder, reducing installation costs and time while enhancing security by ensuring the lock cylinder remains securely attached to the door.
Implementation Method 1
The keeper is provided with a spring finger having a prong engageable in a recess in the lock cylinder to provide a simple snap connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A retainer assembly for resisting detachment of a door lock cylinder from an opening in a door panel includes a retainer clip engaged with the door lock cylinder to prevent the door lock cylinder from being separated from the opening in the door panel, and a keeper for holding the retainer clip engaged with the door lock cylinder.