Combination Lock with Visual Code-Set Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combination locks face challenges in providing memorable and secure code settings, often leading to accidental code changes due to lack of visual indication during the setting mode, resulting in locks becoming unusable.
Innovation Solution
A combination lock design featuring a combination display face with rotatable dials for selecting date, month, and year components, along with a prominent code-set indicator to prevent accidental changes, allowing users to set and remember codes more securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the code setting state is easily entered by unlocking and opening the lock, then the code can be changed conveniently, but the code may be changed accidentally without user awareness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a visual indicator (such as a window displaying 'SET' or a colored indicator) that changes state to clearly indicate when the lock is in code-setting mode. This allows users to see when the mode is active, preventing accidental code changes while maintaining easy access to the setting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate visual feedback to the user when entering or exiting the code-setting state. The indicator communicates the current state back to the user, ensuring awareness and preventing unintended code changes while preserving operational convenience.
2Device complexity
If traditional numerical codes are used, then the lock mechanism is simple, but the codes are difficult to remember due to arbitrariness and lack of context
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the code from arbitrary numbers to meaningful date components (day, month, year). This transformation maintains the simplicity of the input mechanism while dramatically improving memorability by using contextually significant values that users can easily recall.
Solution Approach 2:
The code is segmented into three distinct components representing day, month, and year. Each component can be independently selected using separate dials, allowing users to set meaningful date-based codes while maintaining a simple and organized input structure.
3Reliability
If multiple different codes are required for different devices, then security is improved, but the difficulty of remembering all codes increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the code structure to use date components (day, month, year), the patent enables users to create memorable codes for multiple devices based on significant dates associated with each device or event, thereby maintaining security while improving memorability.
4Reliability
If a prominent visual indication of setting mode is added, then accidental code changes are prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visual indicator is merged with the existing display face or housing of the lock. The indicator utilizes the same physical space and manufacturing processes as other display elements, adding the safety function without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A combination lock (10) comprising a body (20), a locking mechanism (80), a locking member (30) that is selectively lockable by the locking mechanism, and a combination display face (50) for displaying a variable combination code; wherein the locking mechanism (80) comprises at least one input selector, the or each input selector comprising a plurality of code component array members (40) that can be interacted with by a user to select for each code component array member (40) thereof a code component from a plurality of possible code component options such that a code combination can be selected and such that the selected code can be displayed at the combination display face (50); and associated methods of operation.