Portable Lock Slider and Detent Mechanism for Hammer Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable mechanical locks are susceptible to attack and have limitations in resetting the combination mechanism, necessitating improvements in security and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A lock apparatus with a shackle and lock head featuring a slider, detent mechanism, and a lock mechanism that includes a housing, slider, and code units, which provide enhanced security through selective engagement and resistance to unauthorized opening, and a reset mechanism for changing the combination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pushbutton mechanism is used for unlocking, then the lock can be operated easily, but it becomes susceptible to hammer attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism between the user input and the locking components. Instead of direct pushbutton operation, the force is transmitted through a series of mechanical elements including a cam mechanism and follower that convert the unlocking force into rotational motion, thereby dispersing the impact and preventing direct transmission of hammer attacks to the internal components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic elements such as springs and movable cams that can absorb and dissipate impact forces. The spring-loaded mechanism allows the locking components to move dynamically rather than rigidly, enabling the system to withstand sudden impacts from hammer attacks while maintaining operational functionality
2Reliability
If a combination lock mechanism is used, then security is improved, but the resetting mechanism has drawbacks and limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the combination resetting function into separate, independently operable components. Each digit or segment of the combination mechanism can be reset individually through dedicated access points, allowing the resetting operation to be performed in discrete steps rather than requiring complete disassembly or complex manipulation of the entire mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary access mechanisms such as small ports or recesses that allow resetting tools or fingers to access internal reset components without exposing the entire lock mechanism. This intermediary access layer maintains security by limiting exposure while enabling convenient resetting operations through specialized access points
Data Source
AI summary
An example lock apparatus includes a shackle including an engagement portion, and a lock head operable to selectively engage the engagement portion to thereby retain the lock apparatus in a closed condition. The lock head includes a housing, a slider, and a detent mechanism. The slider is mounted for sliding movement relative to the housing between a first position and a second position. One of the first position or the second position is a closed position in which the slider prevents removal of the engagement portion from the lock head, and the other of the first position or the second position is an open position in which the slider permits removal of the engagement portion from the lock head. The detent mechanism is configured to selectively resist movement of the slider from the first position.