Elastic Key Accessory for Visual Locking Confirmation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing key designs with complex structures, such as those described in Patent Literature 1, are costly and prone to malfunctions, making it difficult for users to easily confirm if they have locked their keys upon leaving.
Innovation Solution
A key accessory with a deforming member that changes shape upon locking, allowing users to visually confirm locking status through a simple structure, featuring a deforming member that deforms under locking force and a restoring member that returns it to its original shape for repeated use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex structure with slider, link mechanism, and lock slide is used to display locking confirmation, then the locking status can be confirmed, but the cost increases and the risk of breakdown increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential function of locking confirmation from the complex prior art mechanism. By removing unnecessary components like sliders, link mechanisms, and lock slides, the patent achieves locking status display using merely a deforming member that changes shape when the key is inserted, providing reliable confirmation with minimal structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a simple deforming member made of elastic material that can be easily manufactured at low cost. This simple structure replaces expensive complex mechanisms while maintaining the essential function of locking confirmation, reducing both manufacturing cost and maintenance requirements.
2Reliability
If a complex structure with multiple moving parts is used, then locking confirmation is achieved, but the risk of malfunction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes all unnecessary moving parts from the prior art structure. The deforming member is a simple elastic component with no moving parts, eliminating sources of malfunction while maintaining accurate locking confirmation through shape change alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The deforming member automatically changes shape in response to key insertion without requiring any additional mechanisms. The elastic material self-regenerates its shape, providing reliable locking confirmation without complex control systems that could malfunction.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple structure is used, then cost is reduced, but the ability to provide reliable locking confirmation may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simple deforming member made of inexpensive elastic material that can be easily manufactured. This simple component reliably indicates locking status through shape change, achieving both low cost and reliable function without complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The deforming member utilizes visual shape change (bowing inward or outward) to indicate locking status. This visual feedback mechanism provides reliable locking confirmation without requiring complex electronic or mechanical systems, maintaining both simplicity and reliability.
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 key accessory provides a low-cost, simple, and reliable method for users to confirm locking status on the spot, ensuring ease of use and durability through deformation and restoration mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a deforming member configured to be deformed by a holding force applied when the user carries out a locking operation with the key
Implementation Method 2
a restoring member configured to cause the deforming member having a shape after having been deformed by the holding force to restore to its original shape before the deformation
Data Source
AI summary
A key accessory has a low-cost and simple structure and allows a user to easily confirm on the spot that the user has performed locking even in a place where the user has gone out. A key accessory to be attached to surfaces of a holding part of a key includes: a deforming member configured to be deformed by a holding force applied when the user carries out a locking operation with the key; and a restoring member configured to cause the deforming member having a shape after having been deformed by the holding force to restore to its original shape before the deformation.