Thin Padlock with Embedded Sliding Lock Cylinder Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional padlocks are prone to damage during transportation and use due to their thickness, and their operation is not convenient, often requiring multiple fingers and increasing the complexity of the box with recesses for installation.
Innovation Solution
A thin padlock design with a lock cylinder module embedded in the box, allowing sliding motion to separate the lock hook from the buckle for single-finger operation, reducing external damage risk and eliminating the need for recesses in the box.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the padlock is made with conventional thickness, then the locking mechanism is robust, but the padlock protrudes significantly from the box surface, making it vulnerable to external damage
Solution Approach 1:
The lock cylinder module is embedded into the box body rather than protruding outward, changing the spatial dimension from external projection to internal integration. This dimensional repositioning reduces the protruding thickness while maintaining the locking function through the sliding mechanism that moves the lock hook horizontally to engage or disengage from the lock buckle.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the box includes a recess for installing the padlock, then the padlock is protected from external damage, but the box structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The lock cylinder module is merged with the box body by embedding it directly into the box. The box body and lock cylinder module form an integrated structure where the module is housed within the box rather than being a separate component requiring a recess. This merging eliminates the need for additional recess structures while maintaining protection.
3Reliability
If conventional padlock operation requires multiple fingers, then the locking mechanism is secure, but the operation becomes inconvenient and increases the pressing mechanism thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing mechanism is extracted and replaced by a sliding mechanism. Instead of pressing the padlock with fingers to trigger unlocking, the lock cylinder module slides horizontally along the embedding direction. This extraction of the pressing function and replacement with a sliding action reduces the required thickness and improves operational convenience while maintaining security through the latch slot and latch bump engagement.
Data Source
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AI summary
A thin padlock with simple and convenient operation includes a lock hook(3), a lock buckle(2) and a lock cylinder module (4) capable of locking the padlock. The lock cylinder module (4) is embedded into a box(12); a small portion of the lock cylinder module (4) is protruded from the outer surface of the box(12), so that the thickness of the padlock protruding to the outside of the box(12) is reduced, and the padlock will not be damaged by external forces easily. In an unlock process, the lock cylinder module(4) slides with respect to the box(12) and drives the lock hook(3) to move and be separated from the lock buckle(2). The lock cylinder module(4) integrates a pressing unlock function to skip the pressing action, thus not just reducing the thickness of the padlock protruding to the outside of the box(12) only, but also allowing users to operate the lock cylinder module(4) by a finger to unlock the padlock and improve the convenience of operating the padlock.