Locking Device With Segmented Locking Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mechanical locks are vulnerable to unauthorized and forced opening due to their design, which allows lock picking tools to easily manipulate locking elements, compromising security.
Innovation Solution
The locking device features at least two distinct locking element areas with different types of locking elements, where one area is rotatable and the other is linearly movable, requiring different techniques to open and providing enhanced security by making it difficult to use a single lock picking tool, with a deeper rear locking element area being less accessible.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If locking elements are designed as locking discs with spacers, then the lock can be opened quickly and without damage using a lock-picking tool, but the security of the lock is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is divided into multiple locking element areas (first, second, and third areas) with different locking element types. Each area contains locking elements with different movement characteristics - some rotatable about the longitudinal axis, others linearly movable perpendicular to it. This segmentation prevents a single lock-picking tool from manipulating all locking elements simultaneously, thereby maintaining security while preserving operational functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different locking element areas are assigned different local qualities in terms of their movement characteristics. The first locking element area allows rotation about the longitudinal axis, the second area allows linear movement perpendicular to the axis, and the third area combines both movements. This local differentiation ensures that each area responds differently to manipulation attempts, enhancing security against lock-picking while maintaining ease of legitimate operation with the correct key.
2Ease of manufacture
If all locking elements are of the same design, then the lock structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the lock is vulnerable to unauthorized opening with a single lock-picking tool
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is segmented into multiple locking element areas with different locking element types. The first area contains locking elements movable only by rotation, the second area contains locking elements movable only by linear movement, and the third area contains locking elements requiring combined movements. This segmentation fundamentally prevents unauthorized opening with a single tool while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the movement parameter characteristics of locking elements in different areas. By varying the degrees of freedom and movement directions (rotation about longitudinal axis vs. linear movement perpendicular to axis vs. combined movements), the lock becomes resistant to universal lock-picking tools while remaining manufacturable through standardized production of different locking element types.
3Reliability
If the rear locking element area is made less accessible, then security against unauthorized opening is enhanced, but the complexity of the lock structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The third locking element area is nested within the second locking element area, creating a hierarchical structure where the third area is less accessible. This nesting arrangement enhances security by requiring sequential manipulation of locking element areas from outer to inner, while the nested structure itself provides a systematic way to manage complexity rather than adding random complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds spatial dimensionality to the locking element arrangement by creating multiple locking element areas at different positions and orientations along the longitudinal axis. The first area is at the front, the second area is at the rear, and the third area is nested within the second area. This dimensional arrangement naturally creates progressive accessibility barriers that enhance security while providing a structured framework for managing structural complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Locking device (1-1b), in particular a mechanical lock, comprising a housing (2-2b) and an elongated locking element (3-3d) inserted into the housing, wherein the elongated locking element has locking elements (8-8d, 11-11d) which can be moved by a suitable unlocking means (16-16b) from a locked position, in which the locking element is not rotatable relative to the housing (2-2b), to an unlocked position, in which the locking element is rotatable relative to the housing (2-2b) for unlocking the locking device. Advantageously, the elongated locking element (3-3d) has at least two locking element areas (5-5d, 6-6d), wherein locking elements (8-8d) of a first locking element area (5-5d) are configured differently from locking elements (11-11d) of a second locking element area (6-6d).Because the locking elements of the at least two locking element areas are different from each other, opening the locking device with a previously known lock-picking tool is advantageously impossible. This creates a locking device that is particularly secure against unauthorized unlocking.