Key Encasement with Combination Lock for Secure Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Physical keys can be misplaced, lost, or stolen, leading to unauthorized access to secured areas, as they lack a mechanism to prevent unauthorized use even if lost or stolen.

Innovation Solution

A key encasement with a combination lock that conceals the key in a shrouded, locked position and renders it inoperable until the correct combination is entered, featuring a slidable pin with teeth and rotatable combination dials, allowing authorized users to access the key by aligning a predetermined correct combination, while preventing unauthorized access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a key is carried outside the encasement for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but security is worsened because the key can be misplaced, lost, or stolen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to keyVSAvoidunauthorized access

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The key is nested inside the encasement housing, which contains a combination lock mechanism. The key remains concealed within the housing unless the correct combination is entered, at which point it becomes accessible. This nesting structure allows the key to be securely stored while providing controlled access when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The combination lock mechanism serves as an intermediary between the user and the key. Instead of direct access to the key, users must first interact with the combination lock (entering the correct code), which then mediates by releasing the key. This intermediary layer prevents unauthorized access while maintaining ease of access for authorized users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a combination lock mechanism is added to the encasement, then security is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunauthorized accessVSAvoidencasement structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The encasement housing serves multiple functions: it protects the key, contains the combination lock mechanism, provides the user interface for entering the combination, and controls key release. By combining these functions into a single integrated device, the overall complexity is reduced compared to having separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The combination lock mechanism is merged with the encasement housing into a single integrated unit. The housing both protects the key and contains the locking mechanism, while the dial interface is integrated into the housing structure. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11255107B2Key encasement having a combination lock

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 EBREO JOSHUA C

AI summary

In accordance with the invention, a key encasement is provided which enables an authorized user to obtain access to a key shrouded within the encasement by way of a combination lock. The key encasement generally includes a key, a thumb pin connected to the key, a lock assembly including a plurality of rotatable combination dials, and a housing assembly for concealing the key and lock assembly while in a shrouded, locked position.