Keyless Puck Lock Assembly Without a Drillable Keyway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hockey puck locks with mechanical keys face challenges in key management, security vulnerabilities, and exposure to moisture, requiring a keyless, high-security, low-cost solution with wireless operation and manual override capability.
Innovation Solution
A keyless puck lock system with a wireless communications interface and power source, featuring a locking assembly, electronic latching mechanism, and a control module that operates via wireless signals, eliminating mechanical keys and providing a secure, compact, and flexible locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If mechanical keys are used in conventional puck locks, then the locking mechanism is simple and reliable, but key management becomes difficult and costly, especially with lost or stolen keys
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical key system with an electronic keyless entry system using RFID technology. The mechanical key and key cylinder are substituted with electronic keys (tags or cards) and an RFID reader, eliminating the need for physical key distribution and management infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electronic copies (RFID tags or cards) instead of physical keys. These electronic keys can be replicated or deactivated remotely through the control system, allowing easy reissuance without physical key duplication processes.
2Reliability
If mechanical keys are used in conventional puck locks, then the locking mechanism is simple, but security is compromised due to the opening for the mechanical key that can be easily drilled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mechanical key cylinder and its associated keyway opening by replacing it with an electronic RFID reader. This removes the physical vulnerability point that can be drilled or picked, as the electronic system has no mechanical components exposed on the exterior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the vulnerable mechanical key cylinder component from the locking system, leaving only the electronic RFID reader which has no drillable openings. The key function is extracted from the mechanical domain and placed in the electronic domain.
3Reliability
If mechanical keys are used in conventional puck locks, then the structure is simple, but the keyway and internal components are exposed to moisture and contaminants causing corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical key cylinder assembly with an electronic RFID reader that can be fully sealed. Electronic components can be enclosed in hermetic seals or conformal coating, preventing moisture and contaminant ingress that would corrode mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs sealing membranes or conformal coating films to protect the electronic components from environmental moisture and contaminants. These thin protective layers create a barrier without requiring complex mechanical sealing structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A keyless puck lock apparatus with wireless communications and power interfaces. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a keyless puck lock system enabling a low cost and high security solution that is difficult to tamper with and defeat. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system uses a keyless puck lock assembly that includes a hasp assembly and a keyless lock mechanism that does not require any physical mechanical keys so that it does not have a mechanical cylinder inserted therein to lock or unlock the puck lock. Accordingly, the keyless puck lock system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention does not have a physical keyway which is a security attack point that is included in conventional hockey puck-type locks.