Flat Key Lock Active Stop with Projection and Magnet
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flat key locks with active key stops lack sufficient security measures to prevent unauthorized access and ensure reliable key insertion and rotation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The flat key lock incorporates an active key stop with a ramp and projection system, where the key's machining includes a magnet to ensure the active key stop's movement from the locking to the release position, enhancing security by using springs or magnets for biasing and utilizing compatible shapes for the protrusion and machining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an active key stop with ramp system is used to enable key-driven rotor release, then key insertion functionality is improved, but security against unauthorized access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The key stop is divided into multiple functional elements: a ramp for key-driven actuation, a projection for positional verification, and a biasing mechanism for default positioning. This segmentation allows each element to perform a specific security function while collectively enabling reliable key operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The projection on the key stop must be received by corresponding machining in the key before the ramp actuation can complete the rotor release. This preliminary geometric verification ensures that only keys with the correct pre-configured machining can activate the release mechanism, preventing unauthorized access.
2Reliability
If the key ramp is made sufficiently long to return the active key stop to the release position, then key operation reliability is improved, but key length and device complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The key stop position is made dynamic through the interaction between the key ramp and the biasing mechanism. During key insertion, the ramp temporarily overcomes the biasing force to move the key stop to the release position. When the key is removed, the biasing mechanism automatically returns the key stop to its original blocking position, eliminating the need for an excessively long key ramp.
3Reliability
If springs or magnets are added to bias the active key stop towards the stator notch, then locking reliability is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing mechanism (spring or magnet) provides automatic self-service functionality by continuously exerting force to keep the key stop in the locked position. This eliminates the need for additional active control systems, motors, or complex mechanical linkages to maintain the default locked state, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while significantly improving locking 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
This design provides enhanced security by ensuring reliable key insertion and rotation, preventing unauthorized access through the coordinated movement of the active key stop, utilizing springs or magnets for biasing, and ensuring compatible shapes for the protrusion and machining.
Implementation Method 1
the key includes, in the machining, a magnet ensuring, by attraction of the protrusion, the completion of the movement of the active key stop to the rotor release position
Implementation Method 2
the active key stop is biased towards the stator, in the rotor locking position, by springs housed in the rotor
Implementation Method 3
the active key stop is biased towards the stator, in the rotor locking position, by a magnet housed in the stator
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A flat key lock with an active key stop located at the bottom of the key channel. The active key stop (5) has, opposite its ramp (14) in the direction of key insertion, a projection (15) directed towards the key channel. The key (4) has a machined recess (17) to receive this projection (15) when the active key stop (5) is returned to the rotor release position.