Rekeyable Lock Cylinder Plug Assembly Guide Bar Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lock cylinders require replacement when changing keys, leading to high costs and inconvenience due to the need for matching key and lock pairs.
Innovation Solution
A rekeyable lock cylinder system with a plug assembly and guide bar that allows for the disengagement and reengagement of rack components using a rekeying tool, enabling key changes without replacing the lock cylinder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional lock cylinder is used, then the lock provides secure functionality, but the key and lock must be replaced in pair resulting in high cost and inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The lock cylinder is divided into separable components: a reusable lock body and replaceable pin assemblies. The pin assemblies can be independently removed and reconfigured without replacing the entire lock cylinder, allowing key replacement while maintaining the lock body.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin assemblies can be reconfigured by changing their positions and arrangements within the lock body. By adjusting the parameters of pin assembly configurations (positions, depths, arrangements), different key patterns can be created while using the same lock cylinder.
2Ease of operation
If a traditional lock cylinder is used, then the lock structure remains simple, but key changes require complete lock replacement causing time loss and inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The lock body is pre-prepared with designated positions and structures for receiving different pin assemblies. The tool-receiving hole and guide bar structure are pre-configured to facilitate quick pin assembly removal and installation, enabling rapid rekeying without complex procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The pin assemblies are extracted as separate, removable components from the lock body. A rekeying tool is inserted through the tool-receiving hole to push the guide bar, which moves the rack components to disengage the pin assemblies, allowing them to be easily removed and reconfigured without damaging the lock body.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the guide bar moves the first rack components transversely to disengage from the second rack components, then the pin assemblies can be reconfigured for rekeying, but the structural complexity of the plug assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide bar is nested within the plug body, and the rack components are nested within the pin assemblies. The tool-receiving hole provides access to the guide bar's tool-receiving portion, allowing the rekeying tool to push the guide bar and move the rack components through a compact, nested arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide bar serves as an intermediary mechanism between the rekeying tool and the rack components. When the rekeying tool pushes the guide bar's tool-receiving portion, the guide bar transmits this force to move the rack components transversely, enabling disengagement of the pin assemblies without direct manipulation of the rack components themselves.
Data Source
AI summary
A rekeyable lock cylinder comprises a cylinder body and a plug assembly disposed within the cylinder body. The plug assembly comprises a plug body, a plurality of pin assemblies and a guide bar. The plug body has a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a tool-receiving hole. Each of the pin assemblies is movably disposed in the plug body and comprises a first rack component and a second rack component selectively engaging with the first rack component. The guide bar is coupled to the plug body and has a plurality of pin runners for engaging with the first rack components and a tool-receiving portion exposed by the tool-receiving hole. The guide bar is capable of moving along transverse axis-direction of the plug body to disengage the first rack components from the second rack components.