Key Safe with Rotating Housing and Wiping Lock
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing key safes are vulnerable to mechanical break-in attempts due to the potential exposure of the key secret when the combination lock is set.
Innovation Solution
A smearing mechanism with an adjusting element and control cam is integrated into the combination lock, ensuring the key secret is only briefly visible, and a bayonet locking device secures the housing part to the wall element, allowing rotation only when the correct key code is set, making it impossible for unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the combination lock is set with coding elements visible for key entry, then the key safe can be opened by authorized persons, but unauthorized persons can observe and memorize the key secret during this exposure period
Solution Approach 1:
The housing part is rotated to a predefined angle position before the key secret is entered, preliminarily positioning the coding elements in a wiped/obscured state. This preliminary action ensures that even when the key secret is subsequently entered, it remains protected from observation by unauthorized persons
Solution Approach 2:
A wiping mechanism with a wiping element acts as an intermediary between the coding elements and the external environment. This wiping element selectively obscures the coding elements during key entry, allowing authorized operation while preventing unauthorized observation of the key secret
2Ease of operation
If the housing part is made easily removable from the wall element, then access to the key safe is simplified, but mechanical resistance against break-in attempts is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the housing part and wall element is made dynamic through a bayonet locking device that allows controlled rotation and removal. The housing part can be easily removed when authorized (after correct key entry and rotation), but presents mechanical resistance to unauthorized removal attempts, optimizing both ease of operation and security
Solution Approach 2:
The key safe is segmented into a removable housing part and a fixed wall element, with the combination lock and wiping mechanism integrated into the housing part. This segmentation allows the housing part to be easily removed by authorized persons while the wall element remains securely mounted, providing both accessibility and mechanical security
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A key safe (1) to be attached to a mounting surface has a wall element (4), which can be fixed on the mounting surface and onto which at least one key can be fastened, a housing part (13), by means of which the wall element (4) and optionally the at least one key can be covered, and a combination lock (2), by means of which the wall element (4) and the housing part (13) can be locked to one another when the key safe (1) is closed. In order to make a key safe (1) of this type more mechanically stable and actuatable in a more simple way with a comparatively low technical and constructive effort, it is proposed in the present invention that the housing part (13) is configured to be round on its edge (14) allocated to the wall element (4), that the housing part (13) can be rotated relative to the wall element (4) when the key code is set on the combination lock (2), and that the housing part (13) can be removed from the wall element (4) after a rotation about a predeterminable angle of rotation relative to the wall element (4).