Multipart Pin Lock Body for Lower-Cost Multi-Position Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of pin locks with multiple key withdrawal positions is complicated and costly due to the need for intricate machining of a solid material, such as brass, to create multiple rows of radial bores for locking pins and springs.
Innovation Solution
A multipart lock body design comprising a main body and a divider, allowing for simpler production methods like injection molding or additive manufacturing, and enabling through-bores without tool collisions, using materials tailored to mechanical requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a solid material lock body is machined to create multiple rows of radial bores for multiple key withdrawal positions, then the pin lock achieves multiple key withdrawal positions, but the production complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The lock body is divided into multiple separate components (first lock body portion, second lock body portion, third lock body portion) that are assembled together. Each portion can be manufactured independently with simpler machining requirements, avoiding the need to machine complex multi-row bore patterns in a single solid piece. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling multiple key withdrawal positions through modular assembly rather than complex monolithic machining.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a solid material lock body is machined to create multiple rows of radial bores, then multiple key withdrawal positions are achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the lock body into multiple portions that can be manufactured separately using simpler, more cost-effective processes and then assembled, the overall manufacturing cost is reduced while still achieving multiple key withdrawal positions. Each portion requires less complex machining operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular portions can be designed and manufactured using standard, versatile manufacturing processes that are more cost-effective than custom complex machining. The assembly of standardized portions achieves the multi-position functionality at lower cost.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple rows of radial bores are created in a solid lock body, then multiple key withdrawal positions are achieved, but material waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
Segmenting the lock body allows each portion to be manufactured from smaller material stocks with less waste. The modular approach enables more efficient material utilization in each component compared to removing large amounts of material from a solid block to create multiple bore rows.
Solution Approach 2:
Changing from a monolithic solid material approach to a modular assembled approach fundamentally changes the material utilization parameters. Each module can be optimized for its specific function with minimal material waste, and the overall structure achieves multiple positions without the material waste inherent in machining multiple bore rows from a solid piece.
Data Source
AI summary
A lock body for a pin lock is of multipart construction and has a main body and a divider, mounted on the main body, with a plurality of bores for receiving springs and locking pins. The mechanical division of the lock body into the main body and the divider allows simpler and more cost-effective production since the lock body no longer needs to be complicatedly machined out of a solid material, for example brass, but rather more cost-effective production methods can be used.