Key Bit Forming Pins for Lock Cylinder Coding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing key-lock systems face challenges in expanding coding options and setting service life while maintaining cost-effectiveness and security against copying, with complex milling processes and vulnerability to unauthorized duplication.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating additional bores in the key bit for shaped pins with varying tip contours and materials, allowing for secure, form-fitting insertion and wear-based service life specification, which enhances coding flexibility and security by avoiding complex milling and hiding the pins from immediate recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If milling operations are used to create multidimensional structures in the key profile, then coding possibilities are increased, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The key blade is segmented into multiple control recesses, each capable of receiving different forming pins with distinct tip contours. This segmentation allows independent variation of each recess to create different coding patterns without requiring complex overall key restructuring.
Solution Approach 2:
The key system transitions from static milled structures to dynamic forming pin configurations. The forming pins can be inserted and removed from the control recesses, allowing flexible coding variations through simple assembly changes rather than complex manufacturing processes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex milling operations are used to create coding structures, then coding possibilities are expanded, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control recesses are pre-formed in the key blade during standard key manufacturing. The forming pins with their specific tip contours are prepared separately and then inserted into the recesses during assembly. This preliminary preparation simplifies the overall manufacturing process compared to creating all coding structures through complex milling operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating complex coding structures through milling, the invention uses simple forming pins with standardized tip contours that can be easily replicated. The coding information is encoded in the tip contours rather than in complex key body geometries, making the coding structure easier to manufacture and copy correctly.
3Duration of action of moving object
If forming pins with different materials are used, then service life can be controlled through wear properties, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different forming pins with different material properties (particularly hardness and wear resistance) can be inserted into the control recesses based on the specific coding requirements. This allows local variation in material quality to control service life for different coding elements without requiring the entire key to be made from different materials.
4Adaptability or versatility
If forming pins are made visible on the key surface, then coding possibilities are enhanced, but security against copying decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The forming pins are nested within the key blade, with only their tip contours extending slightly beyond the key surface. This nesting approach hides the majority of the forming pin structure within the key body, making it difficult for observers to see or copy the coding information while still allowing the pins to function in the lock cylinder.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~4c
AI summary
The invention relates to a key for a lock cylinder of a key/lock system, comprising a key head and a key bit, wherein the key bit has a plurality of control cut-outs for receiving segments of associated locking pins of the lock cylinder. According to the invention, within at least one of the control cut-outs, a hole for accommodating a shaped pin inserted there is formed, wherein the shaped pin has a shaped-pin tip of specified contour and furthermore at least the shaped-pin tip has different hardness and/or wear properties than the material of the key bit and/or the material of the locking pins.