Reversible Flat Key with Accumulating Bevel for Cylinder Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lock cylinder technologies face issues with key compatibility and security, particularly with core pins that are vulnerable to improper key usage and percussion methods, leading to potential unauthorized access or locking failures.
Innovation Solution
The design of a reversible flat key with specific rib and groove configurations, including high and low ribs, sloping walls, and a ramp, ensures precise engagement with core pins, preventing unauthorized access by adapting to the control zones and reducing wear, while maintaining cost-effective production and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If control flanks are extended to attack deeper control zones of core pins, then security against unauthorized access is improved, but wear on the key and core pin increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control flanks are designed with rounded contours instead of sharp edges, and the control zones on the core pins are correspondingly shaped. This curvature distributes the contact pressure over a larger surface area during the unlocking motion, reducing stress concentration and minimizing wear on both the key and core pin while maintaining effective engagement for security.
2Reliability
If the key design is made more complex with multiple ribs and grooves, then key compatibility and security are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The key is segmented into distinct functional elements: high ribs for initial engagement, low ribs for controlled displacement, and grooves defining control flanks. Each segment performs a specific function in the unlocking sequence. This segmentation allows for standardized manufacturing processes for each component type while achieving complex overall functionality and improved key compatibility.
3Reliability
If the ramp extends over the entire thickness of the key, then controlled displacement of core pins is improved, but the key structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp feature is merged with the low rib structure, combining the displacement control function with the existing key geometry. The ramp extends as an integrated feature of the low rib rather than as a separate component, achieving controlled core pin displacement while minimizing additional structural complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The turning flat key has a key point forming a fork opening (19), which possesses two control flanks (21) at a distance from each other by a channel (12). The base of the channel forms an accumulating bevel (13) for a point of a nuclear pin. The control flanks are extended to the diagonal walls of a lower rib (5).