Vehicle Key Assembly with Nested Emergency Key Ring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle key assemblies have low aesthetic quality and are prone to accidental separation of the emergency key due to its exposed design, which complicates volume reduction and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle key assembly with a main body case, an emergency key, a restraining member, and a manipulator that allows the emergency key to be accommodated and the key ring to be protruded or separated by controlled operation of the manipulator, utilizing elastic members and locking mechanisms to manage the key ring's protrusion and the emergency key's separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the key ring or emergency key is always exposed to the outside of the main body case, then the user can easily access and use the emergency key, but the aesthetic quality is reduced and the volume cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The key ring member is nested within the knob case, allowing it to be stored inside when not in use and protrude when needed. This nesting arrangement enables the key ring to be kept inside the main body case for aesthetic purposes while still being accessible when required, resolving the contradiction between aesthetic quality and ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the key ring or emergency key is always exposed to the outside of the main body case, then the user can easily access and use the emergency key, but the volume of the key assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The key ring member is nested within the knob case, allowing it to be stored inside when not in use. This reduces the overall volume of the key assembly when the key ring is not needed, while still maintaining easy accessibility when required, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and volume reduction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the key ring is exposed to the outside of the main body case, then it can be used for holding accessories, but accidental separation of the emergency key from the main body case occurs when external force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The key ring member is designed to be movable relative to the knob case, allowing it to transition between a protruded state (for accessory holding) and a retracted state (for stable connection). This dynamic design enables the system to adapt to different functional requirements while maintaining connection stability when the key ring is not in use, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.
4Shape
If the emergency key is accommodated inside the main body case without protrusion, then aesthetic quality is improved and volume is reduced, but the user cannot easily access and use the emergency key
Solution Approach 1:
The emergency key system is segmented into two independent components: the key portion (with key portion locking portion) and the key ring member (with key ring member locking portion). This segmentation allows the key ring to protrude for accessory holding while the key portion remains securely accommodated inside the main body case, maintaining both aesthetic quality and ease of operation for the key functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The key ring member is nested within the knob case, allowing it to protrude when needed for accessory holding while the key portion remains accommodated inside the main body case. This nesting arrangement maintains the aesthetic quality of the accommodated key while providing easy accessibility through the protruding key ring, resolving the contradiction between aesthetic quality and ease of operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances aesthetic quality by keeping the emergency key internal and prevents accidental separation, allowing controlled protrusion of the key ring for accessory use while enabling easy separation of the emergency key when needed, all through a single manipulator operation.
Implementation Method 1
one or more elastic members provided in the knob case and configured to press the key ring member in a protrusion direction in which the key ring member protrudes
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle key assembly may include a main body case; an emergency key including a key portion and a knob connected to the key portion and provided to be introduced into the main body case; a restraining member; and a manipulator configured to operate the restraining member, wherein the knob includes: a knob case connected to the key portion and configured to close an opening of the main body case in a state of being accommodated in the main body case; a key ring member mounted on the knob case to be introduced into or retracted from the knob case to be protruded to an outside of the main body case; and one or more elastic members provided in the knob case and configured to press the key ring member in a protrusion direction in which the key ring member is protruded.