Lock Cylinder Clutch with Segmented Return-Pin Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking cylinders with couplings are complex and expensive to manufacture due to the integration of a return pin formed as one piece with the coupling cover, complicating production and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
A locking cylinder with a coupling mechanism featuring a cylinder core and a longitudinally displaceable coupling actuator, utilizing return pins guided through guide slots and interacting with a spring for smooth operation, allowing easy assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the return pin is formed as one piece with the coupling cover, then the coupling mechanism is integrated and compact, but the manufacturing complexity increases and production costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the previously integrated return pin and coupling cover into separate components. The coupling cover is now a separate piece that houses the return pin, allowing each component to be manufactured independently using standard machining processes, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the functional integration of the coupling mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The return pin is extracted from the integrated return pin/coupling cover component and becomes a separate, standalone part. This extraction allows the return pin to be produced as a simple cylindrical element with guiding surfaces, significantly simplifying its manufacturing process and reducing the overall production cost while preserving its functional role in the coupling mechanism.
2Device complexity
If the coupling mechanism uses an integrated return pin and coupling cover, then structural compactness is achieved, but assembly and disassembly become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the integrated component into separate return pin and coupling cover parts, the patent enables easier assembly and disassembly. The separate components can be independently positioned and assembled through the coupling cover's opening, allowing for simpler maintenance and replacement operations while maintaining the compact structural arrangement of the coupling mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a locking cylinder with a coupling. The locking cylinder has a cylinder housing in which a cylinder core (10) is rotatably arranged, which can be coupled to the locking bit or a coupling pressure piece via the coupling by means of a key inserted into its keyway (11). The coupling comprises a coupling actuator (20) which is mounted longitudinally displaceably in the cylinder core (10) and establishes the connection to the locking bit or coupling pressure piece (30). The cylinder core (10) has two opposing and corresponding guide slots, in each of which one end of a return pin (40) is guided. The return pin (40) is guided through at least one guide (21) of the coupling actuator (20). The return pin (40) has an engagement region (41) which can be brought into engagement with a recess in the key in such a way thatthat the engagement area (41) of the return pin (40) engages in the recess when the key is inserted and the front key geometry of the key engages in a contact surface of the clutch actuator (20) corresponding to the front key geometry and when the key is further advanced, the front key geometry pushes the clutch actuator (20) towards the locking bit or clutch pressure piece (30) and when the key is withdrawn, the return pin forcibly moves the clutch actuator (20) from its holding position to its starting position through the guide (21) out of the recess on the key and releases the key.