Dual Plug Lock Sequential Unlocking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pin tumbler locks are easily compromised by specialized tools or brute force, leading to low security and frequent theft due to their design, and dual-spindle locks with side-by-side spindles are also vulnerable to unlocking methods.
Innovation Solution
A dual plug lock system where two plugs are mutually controlled, with the first plug restricting the unlocking of the second plug until it translates to a new position, then releasing the restriction, allowing both plugs to rotate synchronously for unlocking, incorporating a delayer to enhance security by delaying the return of the control mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional pin tumbler lock is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the lock is easily unlocked by specialized tools or brute force resulting in low security
Solution Approach 1:
The lock is divided into two independent plugs (first plug and second plug) instead of a single plug. Each plug has its own pin tumbler mechanism and requires separate key insertion and translation. This segmentation increases security because both plugs must be successfully manipulated in sequence to unlock the lock, making traditional lockpicking tools ineffective against the dual-plug system.
2Reliability
If a dual-spindle lock with side-by-side spindles is used, then the lock provides enhanced security compared to traditional locks, but the lock is still vulnerable to unlocking methods and the structure remains complex
Solution Approach 1:
The first plug is designed to translate (move linearly) when the key is inserted, and this translation dynamically changes the state of the second plug. Specifically, the first plug's translation moves a control mechanism that releases the restriction on the second plug's pin tumblers. This dynamic interaction means the second plug's pins can only be manipulated after the first plug has been properly translated, creating a sequential unlocking process that prevents simultaneous manipulation of both plugs by lockpicking tools.
3Reliability
If the first plug restricts the second plug until translation, then the lock security is enhanced by requiring precise timing and position alignment, but the device complexity increases due to the control mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism is merged with the first plug itself. The first plug's translation movement directly drives the control mechanism that releases the second plug's pins. This integration means the control mechanism is not a separate complex assembly but rather a functional extension of the first plug's movement, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the sequential unlocking security feature.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for mutually controlling and unlocking a dual plug in a lock, comprising: unlocking a code of a first plug first, the first plug restricting unlocking of a second plug, the second plug restricting rotating of the first plug before the code of the first plug is unlocked; after unlocking the code of the first plug, the first plug translating to a second position from a first position using a preset position difference, the first plug being unable to rotate during the translation; after moving the first plug to the second position, the first plug releasing a restriction on the second plug, the second plug still restricting the rotating of the first plug; and unlocking the code of the second plug, the first plug and the second plug being able to rotate synchronously so as to unlock the lock after unlocking the code of the second plug. The present invention further relates to a lock with a dual plug.