Electronic Key Side-Mounted Buttons and Elastic Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic keys are not user-friendly due to accidental actuation of keys when carried in a pocket and pose issues with key detachment during battery replacement or accessing an emergency key, leading to insecure attachment and operation.
Innovation Solution
The electronic key features elastically designed button receiving sections with restoring force and a clamp-like holding element attached to the housing element on longitudinal sides, preventing unintentional actuation and ensuring secure attachment through a U-shaped holding frame and form-fitting connection with retaining recesses and projections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If keys are arranged on the top and/or bottom of the housing element, then the electronic key can be operated with basic functionality, but accidental actuation of keys occurs when carried in a pocket
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the key arrangement from the traditional top/bottom surfaces of the housing element to the longitudinal sides (left/right surfaces). This spatial reconfiguration changes the dimensional arrangement of keys, preventing accidental actuation while maintaining accessibility. The keys are positioned on the long sides of the housing element, which eliminates the problem of unintended key activation when the device is carried in a pocket.
2Device complexity
If keys are arranged on the top and bottom of the housing element, then the electronic key structure is simple, but fastening the keys poses a problem and individual keys could become detached
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the key attachment system into separate functional components: a holding element with retaining attachments for securing keys, and a holding frame with retaining recesses for receiving the holding element. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively while maintaining overall structural simplicity. The holding element can be independently designed to provide secure retention without complicating the entire housing structure.
3Reliability
If a secure attachment mechanism is implemented to prevent key detachment, then key security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components. The holding element integrates both the retaining attachments for key security and the interface with the holding frame. The holding frame itself serves dual purposes: providing structural support and containing the retaining recesses for securing the holding element. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed, maintaining device simplicity while ensuring secure key attachment.
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
This design enhances user convenience by preventing accidental key actuation and ensures secure attachment of keys, reducing the risk of detachment during battery replacement or emergency key access, thus providing a structurally simple and cost-effective solution.
Implementation Method 1
the button receiving sections are formed by an elastically designed sealing element, so that when a button is pressed, the sealing element exerts a restoring force on the button and brings it back to its starting position
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an electronic key (1) comprising at least one housing element (2) with at least one key receptacle (5) and at least one key element (3) with at least one key (3a, 3b), wherein the at least one key receptacle (5) is formed on a longitudinal side (8a, 8b) and a clamp-like retaining element (9a, 9b) is provided on the longitudinal side (8a, 8b), which is attached to the housing element (2) and thereby secures the key element (3) to the housing element (2), wherein the housing element (2) has a U-shaped retaining frame (10a, 10b) which is open on one side and with which the retaining element (9a, 9b) cooperates for attachment to the housing element (2), and wherein, in the assembled state of the key (1), the retaining element (9a, 9b) engages with the retaining recesses (11) on the end faces (12) of the retaining element (9a, 9b) in a manner complementary to the retaining recesses (11) on the end faces (12) of the retaining element (9a, 9b).9b) formed retaining projections (14) are inserted into retaining recesses (11) of the retaining frame (10a, 10b). The key receiving sections (5) are formed by an elastically designed sealing element (6), so that when a key (3a, 3b) is pressed, the sealing element (6) exerts a restoring force on the key (3a, 3b) and returns it to its initial position.