Key Assemblies With Sliding Elements For Anti-Duplication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current key designs lack sufficient security measures to prevent unauthorized duplication and entry, as they can be easily replicated by duplicating the physical shape of the key blade, which compromises the security of locked entries.
Innovation Solution
A key assembly with a unique configuration featuring a key blade with an aperture containing a radially disposed shelf, a cap, and a base that are slidably engaged and biased away from each other, with tabs and lips limiting their separation, creating a circumferential channel to prevent unauthorized duplication by increasing the complexity of key/lock combinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional flat blade keys are used, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but security is insufficient and unauthorized duplication is easy
Solution Approach 1:
The key blade is divided into multiple independent components: a cap, a base, and multiple floating elements with different shapes and sizes. These segmented elements are captured within apertures in the key blade, creating a complex internal structure that significantly increases security against unauthorized duplication while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
2Reliability
If key designs with multiple features (holes, bits, shapes) are used to prevent duplication, then security increases, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cap, base, and floating elements are nested within apertures in the key blade. The floating elements are captured between the cap and base, creating a nested structure where multiple functional components are housed within the key blade body. This nesting approach increases anti-duplication capability while consolidating multiple features into a unified manufacturing process.
3Ease of manufacture
If floating elements are made detachable and uncaptured (as in prior art), then assembly is easier, but structural stability and security are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The floating elements have asymmetric shapes with specific profiles that correspond to matching features in the lock mechanism. This asymmetry ensures that the elements remain securely captured between the cap and base while maintaining the ability to engage with the lock's corresponding asymmetric features, providing both stability and security.
Data Source
Figure 1~3B
Figure 4A~4B
Figure 5A~5C
AI summary
The present invention is directed to key assemblies and their mating locks, and more particularly, to keys with mutually compressible, actuating elements capable of being continuously positioned axially within apertures in a key blade.