Locking Actuating Assembly with Movable Flap and Eccentric Stop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing key lock control assemblies are either vulnerable to picking or are complex and expensive, lacking a balance between security and cost-effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A key lock control assembly featuring a movable flap and eccentric stop mechanism that prevents unauthorized access, even if the key's encoding is known, combined with a design that includes a radial housing and elastic members for enhanced security and cost-effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a key lock control assembly uses a simple entry slot design, then it is easy to manufacture and operate, but it is vulnerable to picking and unauthorized access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against pickingVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The exit slot is segmented into two distinct portions: a first portion that remains open for key insertion, and a second portion that is closable by a movable flap. This segmentation allows the lock to maintain security (by blocking unauthorized access in the second portion) while preserving ease of operation (by keeping the first portion accessible for authorized keys).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movable flap is designed to dynamically change the state of the exit slot between open and closed positions. When the flap is in its first position, the second portion is closed to prevent picking attempts. When activated by the correct key, the flap moves to its second position to open the path for the key cam to pass through, thus providing dynamic security control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the exit slot is completely closed to prevent unauthorized access, then security is improved, but the key cannot be inserted to operate the lock

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against tamperingVSAvoidkey insertion capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The exit slot is divided into two functional portions: the first portion remains permanently open to allow key insertion, while the second portion is selectively closable by the movable flap. This ensures that the key can always be inserted through the first portion, while the second portion provides security when closed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movable flap acts as an intermediary element between the security requirement (closing the exit slot) and the operational requirement (allowing key insertion). It selectively blocks or opens the second portion of the exit slot based on whether authorization is present, thus mediating between security and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional key encoding with radial notches is used, then key coding is simple, but the risk of key reproduction and picking remains high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekey coding simplicityVSAvoidresistance to key reproduction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The key cam is designed with an asymmetric cross-sectional shape that does not exhibit rotational symmetry. This asymmetric geometry, combined with the coded washers and the movable flap mechanism, creates a complex interaction pattern that is difficult to replicate. Even if the traditional radial notches are copied, the asymmetric cam profile and its interaction with the movable flap prevent successful reproduction of the key's function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The movable flap is positioned in advance to block the second portion of the exit slot before key insertion is attempted. This preliminary blocking action prevents picking attempts from reaching the internal components. Only the correct key, which can properly actuate the flap through the coded washer mechanism, can overcome this preliminary barrier and proceed with operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3569799B1Locking actuating assembly with a key
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 DENY SECURITY
  • EP3569799B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3569799B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3569799B1 patent drawingFigure 7~10

AI summary

The invention relates to a locking control assembly comprising: an output flange (44) provided with an output slot (50); a set of washers (46) defining a passage (47); a set of keys (48) opposite said output slot (50); a key (10) having a bit (20) terminating in a free end (22), and adapted to be engaged inside the passage (47) to cooperate with said washers (46) and with said keys (52, 70, 84) to move them away from said output slot (50). Said output flange (44) further comprises a movable flap (100) closing a portion (90) of said output slot (50). And said free end (22) has an eccentric stop (30) suitable for being engaged through another portion of slot in order to be able to move said movable flap (100) away from said exit slot (50).