Flat Key Profile with Paracentric Grooves for Anti-Copying
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing key copying machines, particularly those using mechanical circular saw blades and 3D filament printers, struggle to accurately replicate complex key profiles with V-shaped cuts, leading to unusable copies due to thickness issues and limitations in generating bevels.
Innovation Solution
A flat key profile with specific design features, including a key shank with upper and lower profile sections, triangular paracentric profile grooves, and strategically arranged opposing profile grooves, which complicates the copying process by requiring rectangular cuts as substitutes for V-shaped profiles, thereby preventing mechanical copying machines from producing usable duplicates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical copying machines with circular saw blades are used to copy key profiles, then copying speed and ease of operation are improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates because right-angled cuts cannot accurately replicate V-shaped profile grooves
Solution Approach 1:
The key profile employs asymmetric V-shaped grooves with specific angles (110°-150°) that differ from the right-angled cuts produced by mechanical copying machines. This asymmetry ensures that even when copied as rectangular grooves, the dimensional relationships and spacing prevent accurate reproduction of the original key function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes critical parameters of the key profile including groove angles (110°-150°), spacing relationships (horizontal distance a, vertical distance b), and relative positioning that cannot be replicated by standard copying machines. These parameter changes create a profile that is functionally unique and resistant to mechanical copying.
2Adaptability or versatility
If 3D filament printers are used to copy key profiles, then copying capability is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates because bevels can only be generated stepwise rather than continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The V-shaped grooves with specific asymmetric angles create smooth continuous bevels that are difficult to replicate with stepwise 3D printing. The asymmetric geometry ensures that even stepped approximations cannot accurately reproduce the original profile's functional characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes precise three-dimensional spatial relationships including horizontal distances (a), vertical distances (b), and angular orientations that create a complex multi-dimensional profile. This dimensional complexity makes accurate replication by stepwise 3D printing extremely difficult, as the continuous surfaces cannot be adequately represented by discrete layers.
3Reliability
If profile grooves are made closer together to increase key security, then security is improved, but key strength deteriorates because the key shank becomes too thin and breaks during copying or use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the parameters of groove spacing (horizontal distance a, vertical distance b) and key shank dimensions to achieve a balance between security and strength. The specific dimensional relationships ensure that the key shank maintains sufficient thickness to prevent breakage while the groove configuration remains complex enough to resist copying.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a flat key profile for a lock and key system in which a key channel corresponding to the key profile is provided in the lock cylinder. In this case, the key profile of the key shank facing the key back upper profile section and a key face facing the lower profile section, wherein in the lower profile section in a side surface of the key shank a triangular, the center plane of the key shank superior, paracentric profile groove (2) provided on the opposite side surface of the key shank one above or below the opposite paracentric profile groove (2) arranged, triangular profile groove (3; 4) is provided, the arrangement of the paracentric profile groove relative to the opposite profile groove is such that an imaginary line (7), the vertical to the keychain plane from the intersection of the upper or lower leg of the paracentric profile groove with the key side surface to the opposite profile groove extends, to an imaginary line (5) extending from the intersection of the upper or lower leg of the opposite profile groove with the key side surface extends to the paracentric profile groove, a vertical distance (9).