Lock Mechanism Shield with Segmented Control Block
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional locks are vulnerable to attacks that involve destroying the radially inner zone of the control block, allowing unauthorized access by piercing the control block with a drill, which compromises the locking mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A lock mechanism with a frame comprising a housing for a rotor, featuring a front block separated from a rear block by a discontinuity of reduced mechanical strength, incorporating anti-burglary locking means that memorize any movement of the front block relative to the rear block, ensuring the lock remains in a locked state and resisting break-in attempts by deforming a hook or sliding element to block rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control block is made solid and strong to prevent break-in attempts, then the lock's security is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control block is divided into a front block and a rear block separated by a discontinuity of reduced mechanical strength. This segmentation allows the lock to maintain overall structural integrity while creating a controlled weak point that directs break-in forces to a specific location, thereby protecting the critical locking mechanism without requiring the entire control block to be uniformly strong.
Solution Approach 2:
The discontinuity of reduced mechanical strength acts as an intermediary element between the front and rear blocks. This intermediate zone serves as a sacrificial element that absorbs break-in attempts, allowing the main locking mechanism in the rear block to remain protected while still providing security through the memory function that detects and responds to displacement.
2Ease of repair
If the front block is made detachable to allow maintenance, then the ease of repair is improved, but the vulnerability to break-in attempts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-burglary locking means are pre-configured to detect any displacement of the front block relative to the rear block and automatically activate a blocking mechanism. This preliminary action ensures that even if the detachable design allows for maintenance, any unauthorized removal or displacement during a break-in attempt is immediately detected and responded to, preventing access to the locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The detachable nature of the front block, which could potentially increase break-in vulnerability, is converted into a benefit through the memory function. The same detachability that allows for easy maintenance also enables the anti-burglary system to detect displacement and activate the blocking mechanism, turning a potential weakness into an enhanced security feature.
3Reliability
If the discontinuity of reduced mechanical strength is made more prominent to direct break-in forces, then the protection of the locking mechanism is improved, but the structural integrity of the control block is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control block exhibits non-uniform structural properties with a localized discontinuity of reduced mechanical strength between the front and rear blocks. This local quality change creates a specific weak point that directs break-in forces away from the critical locking mechanism while maintaining the overall strength and integrity of the individual blocks themselves. The locking mechanism remains protected because the weak point is strategically positioned to absorb and redirect forces.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A
AI summary
The mechanism has a frame (60) with a housing (10) for a recognizing spacer (20) of a rod of a key. The frame has a front block (60A), forming a shield, axially separated from a rear block (60R) by a reduced mechanical resistance edge (60C). A burglar-proof unit (10C) e.g. hook or rim, is arranged for memorizing a displacement of the front block with respect to the rear block and controlling the spacer and a bolt operating mechanism. An independent claim is also included for a method for protecting a lock mechanism.