Electronic Lock Cylinder Plug Key Retention Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic locking devices lack a secure fixing structure for electronic keys, leading to potential loss when the key is inserted and the door is opened or closed, as seen in cylinder-type electronic locking devices.

Innovation Solution

An electronic locking device with a cylinder plug that includes a key contact point pin and a lock head with a second supporter to fix the electronic key, along with a controller, switcher, driver, and lock pin to securely manage the key's insertion and rotation, preventing easy escape or loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a cylinder-type electronic locking device is used without a separate fixing structure, then the device structure is simple, but the electronic key can escape from the locking device and be lost when the door is opened or closed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekey retentionVSAvoidfixing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic key is nested within the cylinder plug structure, where the key insertion hole is formed at the lock head of the cylinder plug. The key is retained through the nested relationship between the key head and the lock head structure, preventing the key from escaping while maintaining a compact integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking device is segmented into distinct functional components: the cylinder housing, cylinder plug, lock head, and key contact point pin. This segmentation allows the key retention function to be specifically addressed at the lock head level while keeping the overall device structure modular and manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the electronic key is inserted into the locking device without a fixing structure, then the key insertion operation is simple, but the key can be lost when the door is opened or closed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekey securityVSAvoidkey insertion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The key insertion hole is nested within the lock head structure, allowing the key to be inserted directly into a dedicated receptacle. The nested design of the key head within the lock head provides automatic retention through structural engagement, maintaining ease of insertion while ensuring key security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If a separate fixing structure is added to support the electronic key, then the key cannot escape or be lost, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekey retentionVSAvoidoverall structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The key retention function is merged with the existing lock head structure. The lock head serves dual purposes: providing the interface for key insertion and simultaneously providing the structural support for key retention. This merging eliminates the need for separate fixing structures while maintaining key security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lock head is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both the interface for key insertion and the structure for key retention. The key contact point pin and lock head work together to provide both electrical contact and mechanical retention, reducing the need for additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3214239B1Electronic lock device
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 KIM BUM SOO
  • EP3214239B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3214239B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3214239B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an electronic locking device. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a structure capable of supporting and fixing a key head of an electronic key is formed at a lock head of a cylinder plug such that it may prevent the electronic key not only from being easily escaped from the cylinder plug but also from being lost.