Key Safe Antechamber Transport Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing key safes lack a secure and efficient mechanism for receiving, storing, and dispensing keys, particularly in ensuring that secondary keys are not directly accessible to users while allowing controlled access and retrieval.
Innovation Solution
A key safe design featuring a main container with an antechamber and primary hook, secondary hooks, and a transport mechanism that moves keys between the primary and secondary hooks, along with an RFID system for identification and a database for key management, ensuring secure storage and controlled access through a rotatable antechamber and movable transport arm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If secondary hooks are made directly accessible to users, then key retrieval becomes simpler, but security is compromised as users can access all keys without control
Solution Approach 1:
The key storage system is segmented into two distinct zones: an antechamber with a primary hook that is directly accessible to users, and an inner chamber with secondary hooks that are not directly accessible. This segmentation allows users to easily place and retrieve keys at the primary hook while maintaining security by preventing direct access to the secondary hooks, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and security.
Solution Approach 2:
A transport mechanism acts as an intermediary between the primary hook (accessible area) and the secondary hooks (secure area). This intermediary component enables controlled key transfer from the secure secondary storage to the accessible primary storage without requiring direct user access to the secondary hooks, thereby maintaining both security and operational ease.
2Speed
If all keys are stored in one accessible location, then access speed increases, but control over key distribution is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system divides keys into two categories with different access levels: frequently accessed keys can be placed on the primary hook in the antechamber for quick retrieval, while other keys are stored on secondary hooks in the secure inner chamber. This segmentation enables both fast access to commonly used keys and controlled distribution of less frequently accessed keys.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts key storage locations based on access patterns. Users can move keys between the primary hook and secondary hooks as needed, and the transport mechanism enables flexible redistribution. This dynamic capability allows the system to optimize for speed when needed while maintaining control over key distribution.
3Reliability
If a secure storage mechanism is implemented with separate accessible and secure zones, then key security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safe is divided into two main segments: an antechamber containing the primary hook and an inner chamber containing the secondary hooks. This segmentation provides security through controlled access zones while keeping the overall structure relatively simple and manageable, avoiding excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A transport mechanism serves as an intermediary component that connects the primary and secondary hooks. While this adds some complexity, it enables automated or semi-automated key transfer, reducing the need for complex manual access controls and simplifying the overall security management system.
Data Source
AI summary
A key safe (10) includes a main container (14) defining an access port (20), an antechamber (16) and a primary hook (22) located within the antechamber (16). The antechamber (16) is movable between a first position in which a user is permitted access thereto and to the primary hook (22) from outside the main container (14) via the access port (20), and a second position in which the user is not permitted access to either the antechamber (16) or the primary hook (22) from outside the main container (14). The key safe (10) further includes a plurality of secondary hooks (26) located within the main container (14), which secondary hooks (26) are not directly accessible to a user. In use, transport means (18) transport keys between the primary hook (22) and a secondary hook (26) when the antechamber (16) is in the second position.