Mechanical Key Retainer Structure for Compact Portable Key Fobs
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of electronic key systems in vehicles has led to an increase in the number of components in portable devices, hindering miniaturization and portability, particularly due to the need for a lock member to manage the mechanical key in emergency situations like battery drainage.
Innovation Solution
A compact portable device design that incorporates a mechanical key retainer with engagement portions that allow the mechanical key to be securely stored and easily accessed without the need for a separate lock member, using resilient materials and clever mechanical features like engagement projections and recesses to facilitate smooth insertion and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lock member is added to manage the mechanical key in emergency situations, then key security and reliability are improved, but device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lock member and the mechanical key into a single integrated assembly. The lock member includes a body with a cavity that receives the mechanical key, and the key has a head that fits into the cavity. This merging eliminates the need for separate locking and key components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining security functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated lock-member-key assembly serves multiple functions: the lock member provides security locking, the mechanical key provides emergency access, and their integration creates a compact unit that can be stored within the portable device. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate parts.
2Device complexity
If the number of components is reduced by integrating lock and key, then device complexity is improved, but ease of operation and key accessibility may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated assembly is segmented into distinct functional parts: the lock member body, the mechanical key with its head, and a retaining structure. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function while maintaining a compact integrated form. The key can be easily accessed by pressing a release button that disengages the key from the retaining structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining structure includes a movable element (such as a spring-loaded clamp or a button-operated latch) that dynamically adjusts to allow key insertion and removal. This dynamic mechanism provides easy operation for users while maintaining secure retention when closed, resolving the contradiction between compact integration and ease of access.
Data Source
AI summary
A portable device includes a main body, which has a mechanical key retainer, and a mechanical key, which is removably retained in the mechanical key retainer. An engagement projection extends from the mechanical key in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the mechanical key is inserted into the mechanical key retainer. The engagement projection is formed from a resilient material. The mechanical key retainer includes an engagement recess for engaging the engagement projection when the mechanical key is retained in the mechanical key retainer. This structure reduces the size of the portable device and improves portability of the portable device.