Locking Cylinder Scanning Stage Angle for Pin Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing locking devices with lock cylinders and matching keys face challenges in optimizing the interaction between tumbler pins and key scanning stages, particularly in ensuring secure rotation and engagement mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

The locking device features a scanning stage with a surface section angled at 60° to 95°, where the core pin's rounded tip scans, generating a force component that acts on the key's broad side, with a corresponding counterforce on the opposite side, utilizing a tumbler pin section with varying diameters and a wave-shaped guide track for enhanced engagement and security.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the scanning stage runs transversely to the direction of force (as in prior art), then the structure is simple, but the force component does not effectively lock the tumbler pin in the key channel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidscanning stage geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scanning stage is designed with an inclined surface section that forms an angle alpha (60°-95°, preferably 70°-80°) with the direction of force. This parameter change transforms the purely transverse force into a force with a lateral component that effectively locks the tumbler pin in the key channel, resolving the contradiction between locking reliability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the core pin has a pointed tip for precise scanning, then the scanning precision is high, but the contact stability with the scanning stage is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning precisionVSAvoidcontact stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The core pin is equipped with a rounded tip instead of a pointed one. This curvature allows the tip to maintain stable point contact with the inclined scanning stage surface while still achieving precise scanning position detection, resolving the contradiction between scanning precision and contact stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of manufacture

If the tumbler pin has a uniform diameter for simple manufacturing, then the manufacturing is easy, but the engagement with the key channel walls is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetumbler pin fabricationVSAvoidengagement security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tumbler pin features a diameter transition with an enlarged diameter section that rests in the core hole and a reduced diameter section that protrudes into the key channel. This local variation in diameter provides different functional characteristics: the enlarged section ensures stable mounting while the reduced section enables proper engagement with the key channel walls, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and engagement security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Quantity of substance

If the key shaft extension has minimal thickness to reduce material, then the material usage is optimized, but the positive locking of the tumbler pin in the trough is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial consumptionVSAvoidpositive locking
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The key shaft extension is positioned to engage the tumbler pin in a trough formed by the key channel wall, creating a three-dimensional positive locking mechanism. The extension thickness is optimized to provide sufficient lateral support and positive locking without excessive material consumption, resolving the contradiction between material optimization and locking reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2792823B1Locking device with a locking cylinder
Publication Date: 2017.09.06 C ED SCHULTE GMBH ZYLINDERSCHLOSSFAB RIK
  • EP2792823B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2792823B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2792823B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a locking device with a locking cylinder with a cylinder core (2) mounted in a cylinder housing (1) having a key channel (3) having two opposing first and second side walls (7, 8), into which a scanning end (9) of at least one locking pin (4) movable in a core bore (12) projects transversely to the extension direction of the key channel (3), wherein the scanning end (9) is acted upon by a spring (6) and bears at a contact point (10) on a scanning step (22) of a key shaft (21) of a key (20) inserted into the key channel (3) which extends at an angle (α) obliquely to the direction of movement of the locking pin (4).In order to improve the locking mechanism, it is proposed that the force of the spring (6) acting at the point of contact (10) develops a force component (K) that acts on a broad side (23) of the key shaft (21) in the direction of the first side wall (7) and whose counterforce (K') acts on the tumbler pin (4) in the direction of a recess (14) of the second side wall (8) formed by at least one rib (15), in which a section (13) of the tumbler pin (4) is inserted.