Lock Half-Tumblers Longitudinal Pin Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing locks with a rotor and stator design are difficult to assemble and lack sufficient resistance to burglary attempts, as they can be easily broken into and their components are prone to damage during such attempts.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a longitudinal pin that extends through open passages of the rotor, guiding and limiting the movement of half-spangles, serving as both a guide and stop to prevent unauthorized access and providing additional security features such as anti-vibration during break-in attempts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If half-spangles are used instead of complete spangles, then the lock provides better resistance to burglary attempts, but the assembly process becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to burglaryVSAvoidassembly process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The spangles are divided into two separate half-spangles that operate independently in separate passages. This segmentation increases security by requiring both half-spangles to be manipulated correctly, while the standardized interface and guiding mechanisms maintain assembly feasibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A longitudinal pin is introduced as an intermediary element that extends through passages containing multiple half-spangles. This pin guides and limits the movement of half-spangles, providing a standardized assembly reference that simplifies the manufacturing process despite the increased complexity of multiple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple independent half-spangles are introduced, then the resistance to picking and drilling is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to picking and drillingVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The longitudinal pin serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a guide for half-spangle movement, a stop to limit displacement, an anti-vibration element during break-in attempts, and a reference feature for assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple functional elements are merged into the longitudinal pin structure, which combines guiding surfaces, stopping features, and anti-vibration capabilities in a single component, thereby managing complexity while achieving enhanced security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If longitudinal pins are added to guide and limit half-spangle movement, then the resistance to forced entry is increased, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to forced entryVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The longitudinal pin is pre-assembled into the rotor before the half-spangles are installed. This preliminary action provides a ready-made guide and stop mechanism that simplifies the subsequent assembly of half-spangles, as their movement paths are already defined by the pin's geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The longitudinal pin features locally differentiated geometries: smooth sections for guiding half-spangle movement, and protruding stop sections that limit displacement. This local quality variation provides multiple functions in a single component without requiring complex manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3591146B1Lock with half-tumblers
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 EURO LOCKS
  • EP3591146B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3591146B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3591146B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4D

AI summary

A lock comprising a series of sequins (7), each consisting of a pair of half-splitters (75, 76), at least one series of first half-splitters (75) or a series of second half-splitters (76) cooperating with a longitudinal pin (100) extending in a longitudinal channel (110) of the rotor passing through open passages (81, 8) of the series of first or second half-splitters (75, 76) considered. (Figure 1)