Safety case particularly for the management of keychains and object-holders

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing security lockers for managing keychains and object-holders lack improved anti-break-in characteristics and are prone to user errors during key or object handling, with users having direct access to all keys and potential confusion in correctly placing object-holder inserts.

Innovation Solution

A security locker design featuring a cabinet with a differentiated storage compartment and pick-up and return chamber, utilizing gripping and handling means for automated object-holder insert management, and presence detection with illumination for correct positioning guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If all keys are made available to a user approaching the casket, then the user can easily access any key, but the anti-break-in characteristics are weakened as the attacker has complete set of keys at disposal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of key accessVSAvoidanti-break-in characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the key storage system into multiple independent compartments, each containing a specific key or object-holder insert. This segmentation prevents attackers from accessing all keys at once, as each compartment is separately locked and monitored, thus maintaining security while allowing authorized users to access only the keys they need.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the automated gripping and handling system) between the user and the keys. This system acts as a mediator that retrieves and delivers keys to authorized users through a controlled process, preventing direct access to the key storage area and thereby maintaining security while ensuring ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the locker is locked inside a cabinet accessible via digital authorization, then security is improved, but when the door is opened all keys become available to an attacker

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity levelVSAvoidkey accessibility to attackers
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the key storage into multiple independent compartments within the cabinet, each with its own locking mechanism. This ensures that even if the main cabinet door is compromised, attackers cannot access all keys at once, as each compartment remains independently secured.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different security qualities to different parts of the key storage system. Each compartment has its own access control and monitoring, allowing the system to maintain high security overall while enabling selective access to individual keys based on user authorization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If multiple object-holder inserts are unlocked simultaneously, then user convenience is improved, but the risk of user error increases as users may not place each insert in the corresponding storage slot

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidcorrect placement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms that guide users through the key retrieval and return process. The system provides real-time information about which keys should be retrieved and where they should be returned, ensuring that even when multiple object-holder inserts are handled simultaneously, each is placed in the correct storage slot.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-arranging the storage slots and object-holder inserts in a specific configuration before user interaction. This preliminary setup ensures that when users return keys, the correct placement is already indicated by the physical arrangement and visual cues, reducing the risk of user error.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If luminous indications guide users to storage slots, then ease of use is improved, but certainty that users are behaving correctly is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveintuitivenessVSAvoidcorrect behavior assurance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances the luminous indication system with feedback mechanisms that not only guide users to the correct storage slots but also confirm when keys have been correctly placed. This feedback loop provides real-time verification, ensuring that users are behaving correctly while maintaining ease of use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4505912A1Safety case particularly for the management of keychains and object-holders
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 SINTESI
  • EP4505912A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4505912A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4505912A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a security locker (10) particularly for the management of keychains and object-holder, comprising: - a cabinet (11); - a load-bearing wall (12) located inside the cabinet (11); - a matrix of storage slots (13, 13a, 13b) defined on the load-bearing wall (12), - a plurality of object-holder inserts (14, 14a, 14b), each positioned in a corresponding storage slot (13, 13a, 13b); - a storage compartment (15) containing the load-bearing wall (12), - a pick-up and return chamber (16) comprising a pick-up and return panel (21) having a plurality of pick-up and return slots (17, 17a, 17b) each configured to accommodate a said object-holder insert (14, 14a, 14b); - gripping means (18) configured to grip and to extract a said object holder insert (14, 14a, 14b) from a said corresponding storage slot (13, 13a, 13b), and for introducing said object-holder insert (14, 14a, 14b) into a said pick-up and return slot (17, 17a, 17b); - handling means (19) configured to move said gripping means (18) from a pick-up operating set-up in correspondence with a said storage slot (13, 13a, 13b) to a release operating set-up at a said pick-up and return slot (17, 17a, 17b).