Quickly Rekeyable Lock Cylinder with Transverse Rack Displacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lock cylinders require replacement of both the lock and key when changing locks, leading to high replacement costs and inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

A quickly rekeyable lock cylinder and plug assembly that includes a plug body with a position block, first and second rack groups, and a rekeying tool opening, allowing the second rack components to move along a transverse axis to release engagement with the first rack components, enabling rekeying without replacing the lock cylinder.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional lock cylinders are used, then security is maintained, but replacement cost and inconvenience increase when rekeying is needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverekeying convenienceVSAvoidreplacement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The plug assembly is divided into multiple rack groups (first rack group with first rack components, second rack group with second rack components) that can independently move relative to each other. This segmentation allows the second rack components to be displaced transversely to disengage from the first rack components, enabling rekeying without replacing the entire lock cylinder.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rack components are designed to be movable rather than fixed. The second rack components can move along the transverse axis of the plug body to release engagement with the first rack components, and return to their original position after rekeying. This dynamic mechanism enables quick rekeying operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If lock cylinder is replaced when rekeying is needed, then security is updated, but cost and inconvenience increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverekeying flexibilityVSAvoidreplacement cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second rack components can be temporarily displaced from their engaged position during rekeying, and then returned to their original engaged position with the first rack components. This allows the lock cylinder to be recovered and reused without replacement, reducing cost and waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Productivity

If second rack components are made movable for rekeying, then rekeying speed increases, but structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverekeying speedVSAvoidrack group structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The first and second rack groups are combined within the same plug assembly, with the second rack components positioned to overlap with the first rack components in the engaged state. This merging allows both rack groups to function within a compact structure, minimizing the increase in device complexity while enabling rekeying functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The second rack components move along the transverse axis (horizontal dimension) rather than requiring movement in the longitudinal axis or rotational movement. This dimensional change allows for simple linear displacement mechanism, reducing structural complexity while enabling quick rekeying operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS8161783B2Quickly rekeyable lock cylinder and plug assembly thereof

Publication Date: 2012.04.24 TAIWAN FU HSING INDUSTRIAL CO LTD

AI summary

A quickly rekeyable lock cylinder comprises a cylinder body and a plug assembly disposed within the cylinder body. The plug assembly comprises a plug body, a position block disposed at the plug body, a first rack group and a second rack group. The plug body has a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis vertical to the longitudinal axis and a rekeying tool opening. The first rack group has a plurality of first rack components. The second rack group may push the position block to move and has a plurality of second rack components in engagement with the first rack components and at least one tool-receiving portion pushed by the rekeying tool. The second rack components can move along transverse axis of the plug body to release engagement with the first rack components.