Rotating Disk Lock Mechanism with Reduced Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rotating disk barrel locks are limited in the number of potential combinations due to industry standards that restrict the length of the lock housing, preventing the use of additional rotating disks and thus limiting compatibility and exclusivity of combinations.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of rotating disks with reduced central apertures and corresponding key cam sections allows for an increased number of combinations without increasing the number of disks or lock dimensions, by utilizing disks with smaller diameters and corresponding key profiles that can engage and rotate these disks within the existing lock mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of rotating disks is increased to provide more combinations, then the number of potential combinations is improved, but the length of the lock housing must be increased which violates industry standards and reduces adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing disks with reduced central apertures inside the existing lock housing structure. These smaller disks are nested within the space already occupied by the standard six disks, effectively utilizing unused internal volume to increase the total number of disks without increasing the external dimensions of the lock housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of differentiation by varying the central aperture diameter of disks. Instead of only increasing the number of disks linearly, it creates a two-dimensional configuration space where disks can have different aperture sizes (standard or reduced), allowing more disks to fit within the same housing length while maintaining combination complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If disks with reduced central apertures are used, then the number of potential combinations is improved, but the key design becomes more complex requiring reduced profile key cam sections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different regions on the key with different profiles. The key includes both standard profile key cam sections for engaging disks with standard central apertures and reduced profile key cam sections for engaging disks with reduced central apertures. This localized differentiation allows the key to interact with multiple disk types without requiring a completely new key design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If more combination levels are created, then exclusivity among utility companies is improved, but the lock mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a lock mechanism that can function with multiple disk configurations (different numbers of disks, different aperture sizes) within a single housing. The same basic lock structure supports various combination levels and exclusivity requirements without requiring different mechanical systems, as the reduced aperture disks and corresponding key sections integrate seamlessly with the existing mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating disk lock mechanism that includes a lock housing containing a plurality of rotatable disks. Each disk having a central aperture and being positioned in a stack such that the central apertures form a keyway. At least one of the disks includes a reduced central aperture with a diameter that is substantially less than a diameter of at least another one of the central apertures. The combination of the lock mechanism is determined in part by the number of disks with reduced central apertures and their placement in the stack.