Profile Lock Cylinder Linear Toothed Key and Decoupled Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing profile lock cylinders face difficulties in reliable protection against picking and impact technology due to the complexity of mounting spiral springs and limited restoring force, which complicates operation and increases vulnerability to unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
A profile lock cylinder design featuring a separate displacement element that tensions a return spring via direct linear force, decoupled from the blocking element's rotary movement, combined with a linear toothed element on the key that matches the locking body's toothing, making unauthorized key reproduction and manipulation significantly more difficult.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spiral restoring springs are used for blocking elements, then the lock can provide additional security, but the mounting becomes mechanically difficult and the restoring force is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional spiral spring mechanism with a cam-based mechanical advantage system. The cam profile is designed to convert the rotational movement of the blocking element into linear displacement of a rod, which then actuates the restoring spring. This substitution allows the spring to be mounted more easily and generates sufficient restoring force through the mechanical advantage provided by the cam geometry, rather than relying on the limited force of a directly-mounted spiral spring.
2Reliability
If additional blocking elements with spiral springs are added, then security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple components into integrated assemblies. The blocking element is combined with a cam mechanism that directly actuates the restoring spring through a rod, eliminating the need for separate spiral spring mounts and reducing the number of parts. The cam profile itself serves as both the actuating mechanism and the force multiplication device, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining the security benefits of additional blocking elements.
3Reliability
If a linear toothed element is added to the key, then copy protection is improved, but the key complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a linear toothed element that extends laterally from the key shaft, creating a new dimensional feature beyond the traditional key blade. This linear gear element engages with a corresponding gear on the blocking element, providing a second layer of authentication. The lateral extension of the toothed element adds copy protection by requiring precise replication of both the traditional key cuts and the new linear gear teeth, significantly increasing difficulty for unauthorized copying while maintaining relatively simple key structure.
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
This design enhances security by making unauthorized access attempts much harder, providing effective protection against picking and impact techniques while simplifying production and installation, ensuring reliable operation even under wear and dirt conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a return spring (16), which is geared to the locking element (14) via a displacement element (23), the displacement element (23) being movable, preferably linearly, relative to the locking element (14)
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~7
Figure 8~12
AI summary
The cylinder (1) has a cylindrical pin arranged in a separating plane (12) between a circular cylindrical part of a housing (2) and a lock core (3). A lock element (14) projects laterally into a key channel (4) of the lock core with a gearwheel-like tooth. The lock element has a lock body (18), which produces a form-fit connection between the lock core and the housing in a locked position. A return spring is pushed from the locked position by a displacement element, which is linearly movable relative to the lock element by a coupling and separated from the lock element.