Segmented Lock Cylinder Pins Against Impressioning Attacks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lock cylinders are vulnerable to unauthorized access through techniques like impressioning or using tools like the 'topolino decoder', which are either expensive to protect against or being replaced by cheaper, ineffective methods.

Innovation Solution

A lock cylinder design featuring a stator body with a rotor body and segmented pins that translate and rotate within specific cavities, preventing unauthorized access by ensuring the pins engage in different configurations to block or allow rotation based on the key's authenticity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional pin configurations are used, then the lock cylinder is vulnerable to impressioning and decoder attacks, but increasing pin complexity makes the system more susceptible to these attacks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity against impressioningVSAvoidpin configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pin is divided into two separate elements: a first element that interacts with the rotor cavity and a second element that interacts with the stator cavity. This segmentation ensures that during impressioning, the deformable sheet can only deform the first element, while the second element remains positioned to block rotor rotation, thereby preventing successful duplication of the key.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If case-hardened and tempered anti-drill systems are applied, then the cylinder is protected from drilling, but these devices are expensive and complex to install

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against drillingVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of protecting the external slot opening as in conventional anti-drill systems, this invention protects the internal pin mechanism. The segmented pin configuration ensures that even if the slot is accessed, the second element of the pin remains positioned to prevent rotor rotation, effectively inverting the protection approach from external to internal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If the first pin element is fully housed in the rotor body, then correct key operation is enabled, but unauthorized rotation must be prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvekey operation functionalityVSAvoidprotection against unauthorized access
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The second element of the pin acts as an intermediary mechanism between the rotor and stator cavities. When the correct key is inserted, the first element moves to enable rotor rotation, but the second element remains positioned in the stator cavity to block unauthorized rotation, thus mediating between operational functionality and security protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4671471A1Lock cylinder and key therefor
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 SECUREMME
  • EP4671471A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4671471A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4671471A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A lock cylinder (1) comprises a stator body (2) provided with a first stator cavity (8) extending transversally to a development axis (X) and leading into a receiving seat (3). A rotor body (4) is configured to rotate within the receiving seat (3) of the stator body (2) around said development axis (X) and has a first rotor cavity (6) extending transversally to the development axis (X) between a first end port (6a) and a second end port (6b), which in at least a first angular position of said rotor body (4) is aligned with the first stator cavity (8) of the stator body (2). A first pin (7) extends along a respective central axis (B) and is slidably inserted into the first rotor cavity (6) so as to translate, after insertion of an actuating key (C) into an insertion slot (5). The first pin (7) is divided into a first (10) and a second element (11) separated from each other and the rotor body (4) comprises at least a second rotor cavity (12), coplanar and angularly offset from the first rotor cavity (6) and having a cross-section adapted to receive the head (11a) of the second element (11) of the first pin (7).