Cylinder Lock Spacing Shims Tolerance Compensation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cylindrical locks with rotatable keys face challenges in accurately compensating deviation tolerances between catchers and additional discs, leading to potential misalignment and requiring complex manufacturing processes, and existing solutions for preventing self-rotation are inefficient.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a series of axially arranged spacing shims with transversal slots and labyrinth holes to align and lock catchers, allowing for precise compensation of thickness tolerances and secure self-rotation prevention, using a simpler and more accurate method than previous technologies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If shims of diverse thicknesses are inserted between catchers or additional discs to compensate for deviation tolerances, then the alignment accuracy of combination tabs is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracy of combination tabsVSAvoidcomplexity of tolerance compensation mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the tolerance compensation function into multiple spacing shims, each with a specific thickness, arranged axially between the catchers. This segmentation allows the total deviation tolerance to be distributed across multiple components, making the compensation more manageable and manufacturable while maintaining precise alignment of combination tabs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the physical parameter of thickness by introducing spacing shims with specifically controlled thickness values. These shims modify the axial dimensions of the catcher assembly, enabling precise compensation for deviation tolerances in the catchers and additional discs without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If the rotatable cylinder and cylindrical bore are machined to achieve precise dimensions, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional accuracy of rotatable cylinder and boreVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity of cylindrical components
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the dimensional precision requirement from the rotatable cylinder and bore by introducing spacing shims that compensate for dimensional variations. This allows the cylindrical components to be manufactured with standard tolerances while maintaining precise alignment through the spacing shims, thereby reducing machining complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The spacing shims act as intermediary elements between the catchers and the rotatable cylinder bore. They mediate the dimensional discrepancies, allowing the cylindrical components to be manufactured more easily while still achieving the required precision in the final assembly through the intermediary spacing shims.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If return rods are guided by edges of catchers and wall of rotatable cylinder, then the alignment of catchers is achieved, but the impacts of manufacturing inaccuracies stack up considerably

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment of catchersVSAvoidsensitivity to manufacturing inaccuracies
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies beforehand cushioning by introducing spacing shims that pre-compensate for manufacturing inaccuracies in the catchers and additional discs. This prior compensation cushions against the stacking effect of manufacturing errors, reducing the sensitivity of the final assembly to individual component variations and improving overall reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP2453084B1Cylinder lock operable with a rotatable key
Publication Date: 2016.01.06 TOKOZ
  • EP2453084B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2453084B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2453084B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A cylindrical lock operable with a rotatable key, said lock comprising a base body (1) provided with a cylindrical bore (2), in which a set of annular plates constituting at least catchers (4) is arranged axially, said catchers (4) being locked against unintended rotation and adapted for an engagement with a shank of the rotatable key, with at least one tumbler (29) as well as with guiding means for aligning the catchers (4) in a position enabling the rotatable key to be removed from the lock. A plurality of adjacent spacing shims (3) is arranged axially in the cylindrical bore (2), the spacing shims (3) being locked against relative movement, wherein at least the individually freely rotatable catchers (4) are completely embedded in the spacing shims (3), which are adapted for engagement with at least one tumbler (29), with means for locking the catchers (4) against unintended rotation and with means for aligning the same in a position enabling the rotatable key to be removed and the shank of the key to pass through, the last spacing shim (3) adjoining to the terminating element (35).