Key Cylinder Accommodation in Segmented Lock Body

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Solution Overview

Problem

In key apparatus manufacturing, the inner circumferential surfaces at opposite ends of the lock body must be aligned radially to accommodate a key cylinder, making it impossible to manufacture if the core cannot be installed, and resulting in an inability to decrease the size of the lock body at the opening end.

Innovation Solution

A key apparatus design where the body member and assembling member form an inner surface to accommodate the key cylinder, allowing for separate manufacturing and assembly, even if the inner circumferential surfaces are not radially aligned, enabling the formation of a smaller accommodating portion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the inner circumferential surfaces at opposite ends of the lock body are aligned radially to accommodate the key cylinder, then the key cylinder can be properly accommodated, but the size of the lock body at the opening end cannot be decreased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize of accommodating portionVSAvoidradial alignment of inner circumferential surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lock body is divided into a body member and a separate assembling member (such as a lock holder or bottom member). The assembling member is fitted into the body member to form the complete accommodating portion. This segmentation allows the inner circumferential surfaces to be formed separately without requiring radial alignment, enabling the key cylinder to be accommodated while reducing the overall size of the accommodating portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of moving object

If the inner circumferential surface at the opening end is positioned at an inner side of the radial direction, then the size of the lock body can be decreased, but the mold cannot be drawn from the opening end making manufacturing impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize of lock bodyVSAvoidmold drawing capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the lock body into body member and assembling member, the mold can be drawn from the opening end of the body member without being constrained by the position of the inner circumferential surface. The assembling member is then fitted into the body member to complete the accommodating portion, enabling manufacturing while achieving compact dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If the lock body is manufactured as a single integrated piece, then the structure is simple, but the inner circumferential surfaces must be radially aligned which increases manufacturing difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidradial alignment requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lock body is segmented into body member and assembling member, which eliminates the radial alignment requirement between inner circumferential surfaces. Although this increases the number of components, it simplifies the manufacturing process by allowing each component to be manufactured independently without precise radial alignment, and the assembling member is simply fitted into the body member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8234895B2Key apparatus

Publication Date: 2012.08.07 KK TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO

AI summary

There is provided a key apparatus, including: a key cylinder that is rotatable when a vehicle key is inserted; and an accommodating portion in which an assembling member is assembled in a body member, the body member and the assembling member form an inner surface, and the key cylinder is accommodated in the inner surface.