Lead Screw Latch Mechanism for Compact Key Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional real estate lock boxes are vulnerable to physical attacks and require high power, making them bulky and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A compact lock box with a lead screw latch mechanism that uses a torsion spring and motor to securely store and eject keys upon authorized access, featuring a gate check, housing with lock and unlock grooves, and an elastic assembly to facilitate secure key retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lock boxes are used, then key security is maintained, but the device is vulnerable to physical attacks and requires high power
Solution Approach 1:
The lock box is divided into a housing and a removable key container. The key container is biased away from the gate check by an elastic assembly, creating a segmented structure where the key container can be selectively ejected. This segmentation allows the locking mechanism to remain secure while enabling controlled key access, addressing both security and physical attack vulnerability concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The gate check is made rotatable between locked and unlocked positions, transforming a static locking mechanism into a dynamic one. The elastic assembly provides dynamic biasing force that automatically positions the key container. This dynamic behavior enhances security by requiring active manipulation to unlock, while reducing power requirements through spring-based mechanisms rather than continuous motor operation.
2Reliability
If conventional lock boxes are used, then key security is maintained, but the device requires high power and is bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic assembly automatically biases the key container away from the gate check without requiring continuous power input. The torsion spring stores mechanical energy and provides self-service by automatically returning the key container to its biased position after ejection. This eliminates the need for continuous motor operation, dramatically reducing power consumption while maintaining security functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism operates through periodic motor activation to rotate the gate check between locked and unlocked positions, rather than continuous operation. The elastic assembly handles the return motion passively. This periodic action pattern reduces power consumption by limiting motor operation to brief intervals while maintaining secure locking functionality.
3Reliability
If conventional lock boxes are used, then key security is maintained, but the device is bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The key container is designed to nest within the housing when in the biased position, with the key container selectively movable through the housing. This nested configuration minimizes the overall volume of the lock box while maintaining all necessary security components. The gate check rotates within the housing to control key access, creating a compact integrated structure that reduces device size while preserving security functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The lock box is resistant to physical attacks, requires minimal power, and is compact in size, ensuring secure and efficient key access while reducing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic assembly which, with the first bosses exited from the lock grooves, drives key container rotation toward a rotational position at which the first bosses are aligned with the unlock grooves
Implementation Method 2
A compact lock box with a lead screw latch mechanism that uses a torsion spring and motor to securely store and eject keys
Data Source
AI summary
A lead screw latch mechanism is provided and includes a gate check rotatable to assume locked and unlocked positions, a housing defining lock and unlock grooves and a key container. The key container includes a boss and is biased away from the gate check and selectively movable toward the gate check through the housing with the gate check assuming the locked position whereby the boss, having been received in the lock groove, is prevented from exiting the lock groove and the unlocked position whereby the boss, having been received in the lock groove, is permitted to exit the lock groove. The lead screw latch mechanism further includes an elastic assembly which, with the boss exited from the lock groove, drives key container rotation toward a rotational position at which the boss is aligned with the unlock groove.