Key and Lock System with Discontinuity Elements for Master Key Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art master key systems suffer from high complexity, which reduces security and increases manufacturing costs, making them inefficient and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A key and lock system featuring a longitudinally extending actuating element with blades that interact with pins in a rotor, utilizing a cylindrical surface with an arc-shaped distal end and a flat proximal retaining surface with discontinuity elements, allowing for high-security operation with a simple, efficient, and economical design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional mechanical elements are used within locks to enable master key operation, then the lock can be operated by multiple keys, but the system complexity increases and security decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal key design where a single master key can operate multiple locks through a standardized interaction mechanism. The key features a blade with a specific cross-sectional shape that can engage with pins in rotor chambers across different locks, eliminating the need for additional mechanical elements while maintaining master key functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the master key operation capability from complex additional mechanical elements and implements it through a simplified blade geometry. The cross-sectional shape of the key blade itself encodes the master key function, removing the need for separate mechanical components and reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If specific key profiles with different cross sections are used for each key, then key security is improved, but manufacturing costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by giving the key blade a specific cross-sectional shape at the critical interaction area where it engages with the lock pins. This localized geometric feature provides security through precise fit and interaction, while the rest of the key can be manufactured using standard processes, reducing overall manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the key blade cross-section to create a secure interaction mechanism. By optimizing the shape and dimensions of the blade's cross-section, the system achieves high security without requiring expensive specialized manufacturing processes, as the security is embedded in the geometry rather than complex mechanical structures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex key and lock systems are implemented in facilities like universities and hospitals, then access control is improved, but system complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the access control system into standardized components: a master key with a specific cross-sectional shape and locks with corresponding rotor chambers. This segmentation allows the system to be scaled across large facilities like universities and hospitals without increasing complexity, as each component uses the same standardized interface and interaction mechanism.
Data Source
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Figure 5~6(b)
AI summary
Key (300A; 300B), lock and related key and lock system, wherein the key (300A; 300B) has a longitudinally extending operating element (32) provided with one or more blades (35A, 35B, 35C) which extend longitudinally and orthogonally from the drive element (32), wherein the drive element (32) describes a cylindrical surface portion whose distal end (37) is a an arc of a circle, whereby the element ( 32) defines an open channel, wherein the driving element (32) is configured to be inserted into a corresponding slit (15) of a rotor (10) of a lock and said one or more blades (35A, 35B, 35C) are each configured to interact with pins (22A, 22B, 22C) housed in a respective longitudinal row of chambers (14A, 14B, 14C) of the rotor (10) when the operating element (32) is inserted in said lock , wherein the drive element (32) has a flat proximal retaining surface (380A; 380B), which is opposite the distal end (37) and arranged internally to said open channel, wherein the flat proximal surface (380A ; 380B) of stop is provided with at least a first discontinuity element (382; 384), wherein when the actuating element (32) is inserted into the corresponding slit (15) of the rotor (10) at the actuation position: - the proximal flat stop surface (380A; 380B) of the lock comes into contact with a corresponding external flat surface (480AF; 480AR; 480BF; 480BR) of the lock, and/or - said at least one first discontinuity element (382; 384) interacts with at least a corresponding second discontinuity element (482F; 482R; 484F; 484R) of the corresponding external surface (480AF; 480AR; 480BF; 480BR) for stopping said lock.