Lock Cylinder Coding Element Depth Stop and Profile Encoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lock cylinders have limited security due to a restricted number of possible locking codes and reliance on a single mechanism for encoding the secret code, making them vulnerable to lock-picking attempts.
Innovation Solution
The lock cylinder incorporates a coding element with a receptacle that interacts with the key channel to provide a stop section for correct insertion depth and coding sections for permissible profiling, increasing the number of possible locking codes by varying the stop and coding elements, and distributing the locking secret across multiple mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single mechanism (e.g., tumblers) is used to encode the locking secret, then the device complexity is low, but the security is limited because break-in attempts can focus on overcoming that one mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The locking cylinder is divided into multiple independent mechanisms: tumblers for primary locking, a coding element with coding sections for profile verification, and a stop section for insertion depth control. Each mechanism operates independently and must be satisfied simultaneously, preventing break-in attempts from focusing on a single mechanism and thereby enhancing security without requiring excessive complexity in any one component.
2Reliability
If the number of possible key combinations is increased by adding more tumblers or mechanisms, then the security improves, but the device complexity and difficulty of manufacture increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coding element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides coding sections that interact with the keyway to verify key profile, includes a stop section for insertion depth control, and can be manufactured as a single integrated component. This multi-functionality increases the number of possible key combinations through profile variations while avoiding the need to add separate mechanisms, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture.
3Reliability
If tumblers are made completely inaccessible inside the cylinder housing, then the security improves by preventing external manipulation, but the ease of operation decreases because the key cannot interact with them
Solution Approach 1:
The keyway acts as an intermediary channel that allows the key shaft to reach and interact with the tumblers and coding element inside the cylinder housing. The coding sections and stop section are positioned within the keyway's accessible region, enabling the key to manipulate these internal mechanisms through the keyway opening without requiring direct external access to the tumblers, thus maintaining both security and ease of operation.
Data Source
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Figure 4~5
AI summary
In a locking cylinder with a cylinder housing, a cylinder core, and several tumblers, the following is provided: that the cylinder core is rotatably mounted in the cylinder housing about a cylinder axis and has a keyway extending parallel to the cylinder axis into the cylinder core for the key shaft of a key associated with the locking cylinder; that the keyway has an elongated cross-section with two narrow sides that are opposite to each other with respect to a first transverse direction, and with two broad sides that are opposite to each other with respect to a second transverse direction; and that the tumblers partially project into the keyway and are designed to lock the cylinder core in a normal position against rotation from the normal position, unless they are arranged in a configuration that releases the cylinder core, particularly by the associated key.It is further provided that: the locking cylinder includes a coding element and the cylinder core has a receptacle for the coding element, which extends transversely to the cylinder axis into the cylinder core and partially overlaps with the keyway; and that the coding element is designed, when inserted into the receptacle, to engage the keyway with a stop section on one of the two narrow sides in order to form a stop to limit the insertion of the key shaft of the associated key into the keyway to a correct insertion depth, and to engage the keyway with a coding section on one of the two wide sides in order to encode a permissible profile of the key shaft.