Patent Description:
The existing lock core is provided with pin holes on the plug and the casing, and a pin mechanism is arranged in each pin hole, wherein generally a single-pin mechanism is provided in each pin hole. Increasing the number of matching points of the teeth of key is one of the ways to improve the anti-theft ability of the lock core. However, since the length of lock core needs to match the thickness of door panel, the length of lock core needs to be controlled within a certain range, thus the lengths of the casing and the plug are not suitable to be changed. When the length range is unchanged, it is not convenient to increase the matching points of the teeth of key. Therefore, multiple rows of teeth are designed to improve the anti-theft ability of the lock core.

For a lock core with multiple rows of teeth, multiple rows of pin mechanisms may be designed. The anti-theft capability is improved by increasing the number of the pin mechanisms and increasing the matching points between the pins and the teeth of key, that is, the technical solution disclosed in the patent application <CIT>. However, this method is not convenient in the production and processing of the casing, plug and key, and is not convenient in the installation of the pin mechanisms. It requires high processing accuracy and the cost is high.

Patent applications <CIT> and <CIT> disclose lock cores with double pin mechanisms and <CIT> and <CIT> disclose that inner and outer pins are connected magnetically.

The present invention provides a locking core having double pins in one hole. The present invention designs a new type of pin mechanism having double pins, together with a oval-shaped pin hole, and thus achieves a locking core having double pins in one hole. A hole contains two pins which are staggered, and the two pins are aligned with two inner guide strips respectively. Meanwhile, a single-pin mechanism is provided, so that the single pin is aligned with the centerline (middle line) of the two inner guide strips. Besides, the length of the inner pin of double-pin mechanism may be different from each other. The matching points between the lock core and the key includes two rows as well as one point, which can greatly improve the anti-theft ability of the lock core.

The objective problem of the present invention is solved by the following technical solution:
A lock core, comprising a casing and at least one plug, wherein the plug is provided with a keyway, the plug is provided with multiple inner pin holes, and the casing is provided with outer pin holes that match the inner pin holes , a pin mechanism is arranged inside an outer pin hole and corresponding inner pin hole; characterized in that a set of inner guide strips is provided on a wall of the keyway, wherein the set of inner guide strips comprises at least two inner guide strips; each inner pin hole penetrates both of the two inner guide strips and reaches the keyway; the multiple inner pin holes include a circular hole, and multiple oval holes or multiple rounded rectangular holes; the outer pin hole has the same cross section as the corresponding inner pin hole; the pin mechanism in the circular hole is a single-pin mechanism, where the pin has a circular cross section; the pin mechanism in the oval or rounded rectangular hole is a double-pin mechanism; the double-pin mechanism comprises a first cover that is fixedly installed in the outer pin hole, an outer pin set that is able to slide in the outer pin hole, and an inner pin set that is able to slide in the inner pin hole; the outer pin set comprises two outer pins which are able to slide against each other, a first spring is provided and fixed between the first cover and each outer pin, the inner pin set comprises two inner pins, which are able to slide against each other, a protrusion is provided on the bottom side of each inner pin; and under the same first cover, the protrusions of the two inner pins are aligned with the two inner guide strips respectively, the two inner pins are magnetically connected to the two outer pins respectively.

Optionally, for different double-pin mechanisms, the lengths of the inner pins are varying.

Optionally, on an vertical surface of each inner pin, a sliding groove and a sliding edge are provided, so that the two inner pins are able to slide through the sliding edge and the sliding groove.

Optionally, the single-pin mechanism includes a single inner pin, a single outer pin and a second cover; the second cover is fixedly installed in a circular hole in the casing, the single outer pin is able to slide in the circular hole in the casing, a second spring is provided and fixed between the single outer pin and the second cover, the single inner pin is able to slide in a circular hole in the plug, the single outer pin and the single inner pin are magnetically connected. Since the circular hole in the casing and/or pin has a circular cross section, the single outer pin and/or the single inner pin therein also preferred to have a circular cross section.

Optionally, the outer pin has a cross section of a half circle or a half ellipse; and the corresponding inner pin has an end surface, which is in contact with the outer pin and thus is also a half circle or a half ellipse.

Optionally, the present invention further comprises a key, the key includes a key body and a key handle; the key body is provided with a bitting portion, and the bitting portion includes a set of positioning grooves, wherein the set of positioning grooves comprises at least two positioning grooves; each positioning groove is aligned with an inner guide strip; multiple sockets are provided on the positioning grooves, wherein each socket is matched with a protrusion of an inner pin; the sockets on two different positioning grooves are preferred to be staggered; a middle recess is located between two positioning grooves, wherein the middle recess is matched with the single inner pin.

Optionally, the bottom of the sliding edge extends to the bottom surface of the protrusion, and an arc end is provided at the bottom of the sliding edge and the bottom of the protrusion.

Optionally, the first spring and/or the second spring meet the following: each spring comprises a middle portion and two end portions, an elastic portion is provided between the middle portion and each end portion, the spacing of the middle portion as well as the spacing of the end portion is smaller than the spacing of elastic portion.

Optionally, the outer pin is provided with a notch, so that the bottom end of the first spring is fixedly installed in the notch.

Optionally, a slot is provided in the casing, for example in the middle of the casing or at one side of the casing, and a rotatable locking element is installed in the slot.

Optionally, the plug is provided with a transmission portion, the transmission portion is connected to the rotatable locking element.

Optionally, a through hole is provided in the casing, for example in the middle of the casing, and the through hole is a threaded hole.

Optionally, a groove for clip ring is provided on the plug and is located close to the rotatable locking element, and a clip ring is installed between the groove for clip ring and the casing.

Optionally, the present invention furthering comprises a set of outer guide strips; in the keyway, the set of outer guide strips and the set of inner guide strips are respectively arranged on two opposite innner walls, the set of inner guide strips and the set of outer guide strips are rotationally symmetrical around the centerline of the keyway.

Optionally, the same bitting pattern is provided on both surfaces of the key body, so that the bitting portion is rotationally symmetrical, and each positioning groove is aligned with an inner guide strip or an outer guide strip.

The implementation of the present invention will achieve at least one of the above advantages, and does not have to achieve all the above advantages at the same time.

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings for describing the embodiments. Evidently, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the invention. For those skilled persons in the art, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

In the drawings, the parts represented by reference signs are listed as follows:
<NUM> - casing, <NUM> - plug, <NUM> - single-pin mechanism, <NUM> - double-pin mechanism, <NUM> - key, <NUM> - rotatable locking element, <NUM> - transmission portion, <NUM> - clip ring, <NUM> - outer pin hole, <NUM> - slot, <NUM>-through hole, <NUM> - keyway, <NUM> - inner pin hole, <NUM> - outer guide strip, <NUM> - inner guide strip, <NUM> - circular hole, <NUM> - oval hole, <NUM> - single inner pin, <NUM> - single outer pin, <NUM> - second cover, <NUM> - second spring, <NUM> - first cover, <NUM> - outer pin, <NUM> - first spring, <NUM> - inner pin, <NUM> - sliding groove, <NUM> - sliding edge, <NUM> - protrusion, <NUM> - middle portion, <NUM> - end portion, <NUM> - elastic portion, <NUM> - notch, <NUM> - key body, <NUM> - key handle, <NUM> - positioning groove, <NUM> - socket, <NUM> - middle recess.

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below, with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Evidently, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments described in the present invention, all the other embodiments obtained by those skilled persons without any creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present invention, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims.

Referring to <FIG>, the present invention is a lock core, comprising a casing <NUM> and at least one plug <NUM>. The <FIG> shows a set of plugs <NUM> comprising two plugs <NUM>. The plug <NUM> is provided with a keyway <NUM>. The plug <NUM> is provided with a plurality of inner pin holes <NUM>, and the casing <NUM> is provided with outer pin holes <NUM> that match the inner pin holes <NUM>. A pin mechanism is arranged inside an outer pin hole <NUM> and corresponding inner pin hole <NUM>.

In the keyway <NUM>, a set of outer guide strips <NUM> and a set of inner guide strips <NUM> are respectively arranged on two opposite innner walls, i.e. the upper and lower inner walls. The set of inner guide strips <NUM> and the set of outer guide strips <NUM> are so shaped that they are centosymmetric (around a center point).

The set of inner guide strips <NUM> and the set of outer guide strips <NUM> forms a pattern, which is rotationally symmetrical around the centerline (the middle line) of the keyway <NUM>. In another word, the set of inner guide strips <NUM> and the set of outer guide strips <NUM> are central symmetrical relative to a center point of the keyway <NUM>. The set of outer guide strips <NUM> contains at least two outer guide strips <NUM>. The set of inner guide strips <NUM> contains at least two inner guide strips <NUM>.

Each inner pin hole <NUM> is so located that the position of the inner pin hole <NUM> overlaps two of the inner guide strips <NUM>. That is to say, each inner pin hole <NUM> runs across two inner guide strips <NUM>. The inner pin holes <NUM> and the keyway <NUM> communicate. In another word, each inner pin hole <NUM> penetrates both of the two inner guide strips <NUM> and then reaches the keyway <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the set of plugs <NUM> has two plugs <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, Each plug <NUM> is provided with multiple inner pin holes <NUM>. The multiple inner pin holes <NUM> include a circular hole <NUM>, and multiple oval holes <NUM> or multiple rounded rectangular holes <NUM>. For example, the rounded rectangular hole <NUM> is a rectangular hole with two semicircles located at two opposite ends respectively. As an example, the hole <NUM> is bean-shaped, or has a shaped like a kidney. The pin mechanism in the circular hole <NUM> is a single-pin mechanism <NUM>, where the pin has a circular cross section. The pin mechanism in the oval or rounded rectangular hole <NUM> is a double-pin mechanism <NUM>.

The shape of outer pin hole(s) <NUM> should correspond to the shape of the corresponding inner pin hole(s) <NUM>. Thus, the outer pin hole (<NUM>) has the same cross section as the corresponding inner pin hole (<NUM>). That is to say, a group of outer pin holes <NUM> may also include a circular hole, and multiple oval holes or multiple rounded rectangular holes.

A double-pin mechanism <NUM> comprises a first cover <NUM> that is fixedly installed in the outer pin hole <NUM>, an outer pin set that is able to slide in the outer pin hole <NUM>, and an inner pin set that is able to slide in the inner pin hole <NUM>.

The outer pin set comprises two outer pins <NUM> which are able to slide against each other. As an example, an outer pin <NUM> may has a cross section of a half circle, or a half ellipse, or a similar shape. A first spring <NUM> is provided and fixed between the first cover <NUM> and the outer pin <NUM>. See the <FIG>.

The inner pin set comprises two inner pins <NUM>, which are able to slide against each other. As a example, an inner pin may has a cross section of a half circle, or a half ellipse, or a similar shape.

As shown in the <FIG> and <FIG>, on an vertical surface of each inner pin <NUM>, a sliding groove <NUM> and a sliding edge <NUM> are provided, so that the two inner pins <NUM> are able to slide through the sliding edge <NUM> and the sliding groove <NUM>. See <FIG>, the sliding groove <NUM> of one inner pin matches (and engages with) the sliding edge <NUM> of the other inner pin, vice verse.

A protrusion <NUM> is provided on the bottom side of each inner pin <NUM>. And the positions of the protrusions <NUM> of the two inner pins <NUM> are aligned with the two inner guide strips <NUM> respectively. The protrusions <NUM> of the two inner pins <NUM> contact each other (for example, along the sliding edge <NUM>).

The two inner pins <NUM> are magnetically connected to the two outer pins <NUM> respectively.

Among the multiple double-pin mechanisms <NUM>, the lengths of the inner pins are varying, the lengths of the outer pins are the same. The lengths of the first springs <NUM> are the same, and the lengths of the first covers <NUM> are the same. The "length" here means e.g. the length (height) along the vertical direction in <FIG> and <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the single-pin mechanism <NUM> includes a single inner pin <NUM>, a single outer pin <NUM> and a second cover <NUM>. The second cover <NUM> is fixedly installed in a circular hole in the casing <NUM>. The single outer pin <NUM> is able to slide in the circular hole in the casing <NUM>. A second spring <NUM> is provided and fixed between the single outer pin <NUM> and the second cover <NUM>. The single inner pin <NUM> is able to slide in a circular hole <NUM> in the plug <NUM>. The single outer pin <NUM> and the single inner pin <NUM> are magnetically connected.

Since the circular hole in the casing (plug) has a circular cross section, the single outer pin <NUM> (the single inner pin <NUM>) therein also preferred to have a circular cross section. Preferably, both ends of the single outer pin <NUM> are flat. Meanwhile, one end of the single inner pin <NUM> is flat, and the other end thereof has a pattern, for example, a protrusion (rounded protrusion). The pattern (rounded protrusion) is matched with the pattern on the key.

As shown in <FIG>, the present invention may further comprise a key <NUM>. The key <NUM> includes a key body <NUM> and a key handle <NUM>. The two surfaces (upper and lower surfaces) of the key body <NUM> are provided with a bitting portion which is rotationally symmetrical around the centerline (middle line) of the key body <NUM>. In another word, the upper and lower surfaces are provided with a central symmetrical bitting portion. The bitting portion includes a set of positioning grooves <NUM>. Each positioning groove <NUM> is aligned with an inner guide strip <NUM> or an outer guide strip <NUM>. Besides, each positioning groove <NUM> fits an inner guide strip <NUM> or an outer guide strip <NUM>. That is, the width (and the position) of the positioning groove <NUM> is matched with the width (and the position) of a corresponding inner guide strip <NUM> or a corresponding outer guide strip <NUM>. Multiple sockets <NUM> are provided on the positioning grooves <NUM>, wherein each socket <NUM> is matched with a protrusion <NUM>. Multiple sockets <NUM> on two different positioning grooves <NUM> are preferred to be staggered. At least one middle recess <NUM> is located between two positioning grooves <NUM>. A middle recess <NUM> is matched with the single inner pin <NUM>.

As shown in the <FIG>, the bottom of the sliding edge <NUM> extends to the bottom surface of the protrusion <NUM>. Both the bottom of the sliding edge <NUM> and the bottom of the protrusion <NUM> are provided with an arc end, and the arc end is so designed as to facilitate the entering and exiting of the key <NUM>. That is to say, the bottom of the inner pin <NUM> (which may includes the bottom of the sliding edge <NUM> and the bottom of the protrusion <NUM>) is rounded to permit the key to slider over the pin easily.

As shown in <FIG>, the first spring <NUM> comprises a middle portion <NUM> and two end portions <NUM>, an elastic portion <NUM> is provided between the middle portion <NUM> and each end portion <NUM>. The spacing (i.e. the distance of adjacent coils) of the middle portion <NUM> is smaller than the spacing of elastic portion <NUM>. Also, the spacing of the end portion <NUM> is smaller than the spacing of elastic portion <NUM>. The second spring <NUM> has the same or similar structure as the first spring <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the outer pin <NUM> is provided with a notch <NUM>, so that the bottom end of the first spring <NUM> can be fixed/installed in the notch <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, a slot <NUM> is provided in the middle of the casing <NUM>, and a rotatable locking element <NUM> is installed in the slot <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, on one side of each plug <NUM>, which is facing the other plug <NUM>, is provided with a transmission portion <NUM>. The transmission portion <NUM> is connected to the rotatable locking element <NUM>, and thus can drive the rotation of the rotatable locking element <NUM>. The transmission portions <NUM> of two plugs <NUM> are connected by a rivet.

As shown in <FIG>, a through hole <NUM> is provided in the middle of the casing <NUM>, and the through hole <NUM> is a threaded hole.

As shown in <FIG>, a groove for clip ring is provided on the plug <NUM> and close to the rotatable locking element <NUM>, and a clip ring <NUM> is installed between the groove for clip ring and the casing <NUM>.

The major axis (length direction) of the oval or rounded rectangular hole <NUM> is parallel to the axis direction of the lock plug <NUM>.

The working status of the lock core of the present invention is described as follows:
The key <NUM> is inserted into the keyway <NUM>, so that the two positioning grooves <NUM> on one side of the key <NUM> are sliding along the two inner guide strips <NUM> in the lock core <NUM>. The two positioning grooves <NUM> on the other side of the key <NUM> are sliding along the two outer guide strips in the lock core <NUM>.

When a pattern in the bitting (e.g. a convex slope, for example the convex slope formed between a socket <NUM> and a middle recess <NUM>) comes into contact with the inner pin <NUM> (the protrusion <NUM> of the inner pin <NUM>) or the single inner pin <NUM>, the inner pin <NUM> or the single inner pin <NUM> will be lifted up, so that the corresponding first spring <NUM> or second spring <NUM> will be compressed.

The two protrusions <NUM> (of two inner pin <NUM>) under the same first cover <NUM> should be matched with the patterns (e.g. sockets <NUM>) on the two positioning grooves <NUM> respectively. The positions of the two protrusions <NUM> are preferred to be staggered. An example can be seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, the two inner pin <NUM> are arranged one in front of the other, and the two corresponding protrusions <NUM> are located on the left and right respectively, and match the patterns (e.g. sockets <NUM>) of the two positioning grooves <NUM> respectively. Preferably, each protrusion <NUM> is parallel to the axis direction of plug <NUM>, i.e. parallel to the sliding (entering/existing) direction of the key <NUM>.

When the two protrusions <NUM> (of two inner pin <NUM>) slide relative to each other, the sliding is guided by the sliding grooves <NUM> and the sliding edges <NUM>.

When the bitting of the key matches the patterns of the lock core (for example, all the protrusions <NUM> of the inner pin <NUM> match the sockets <NUM>, and all the single inner pins <NUM> matches the middle recesses <NUM>), the interfaces (gaps) between the inner pins and the outer pins are aligned with the edge of the plug (aligned with the shear line), so that the plug can be rotated, and thus activate the unlocking or locking. For example, the rotation can be transmitted by the transmission portion <NUM> from the plug <NUM> to the rotatable locking element <NUM>. Thus, the rotation of key <NUM> and plug <NUM> can drive the rotatable locking element <NUM> to rotate, so as to achieve unlocking or locking.

When the bitting of the key does not match the patterns of the lock core. For example, the protrusion <NUM> of an inner pin <NUM> (or the length of an inner pin <NUM>) does not match the socket <NUM>, the inner pin <NUM> (or the corresponding outer pin <NUM>) will be located between the casing <NUM> and the plug <NUM>, in another word, the pin is located both in the casing <NUM> and the plug <NUM> (that is, part of the pin is located in the casing <NUM> and the other part of the pin is located in the plug <NUM>), which prevent the plug <NUM> from rotating. That is, due to the interference of the pin between the casing <NUM> and the plug <NUM>, the plug cannot be rotated anymore.

In the description of the present invention, the terms like "one embodiment", "example", "specific example", etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in the present invention or the embodiment is contained in at least one embodiment or example. In the present invention, the reference to the above schematic terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Besides, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

Claim 1:
A lock core, comprising a casing (<NUM>) and at least one plug (<NUM>), wherein the plug (<NUM>) is provided with a keyway (<NUM>), the plug (<NUM>) is provided with multiple inner pin holes (<NUM>), and the casing (<NUM>) is provided with outer pin holes (<NUM>) that match the inner pin holes (<NUM>), a pin mechanism is arranged inside an outer pin hole (<NUM>) and corresponding inner pin hole (<NUM>);
wherein the lock core further comprises
a set of inner guide strips (<NUM>) is provided on a wall of the keyway (<NUM>), wherein the set of inner guide strips (<NUM>) comprises at least two inner guide strips (<NUM>);
each inner pin hole (<NUM>) penetrates both of the two inner guide strips (<NUM>) and reaches the keyway (<NUM>);
the multiple inner pin holes (<NUM>) include a circular hole (<NUM>), and multiple oval holes (<NUM>) or multiple rounded rectangular holes (<NUM>); the pin mechanism in the circular hole (<NUM>) is a single-pin mechanism (<NUM>), where the pin has a circular cross section; the pin mechanism in the oval or rounded rectangular hole (<NUM>) is a double-pin mechanism (<NUM>);
the double-pin mechanism (<NUM>) comprises a first cover (<NUM>) that is fixedly installed in the outer pin hole (<NUM>), an outer pin set that is able to slide in the outer pin hole (<NUM>), and an inner pin set that is able to slide in the inner pin hole (<NUM>);
the outer pin set comprises two outer pins (<NUM>) which are able to slide against each other, a first spring (<NUM>) is provided and fixed between the first cover (<NUM>) and each outer pin (<NUM>),
the inner pin set comprises two inner pins (<NUM>), which are able to slide against each other,
a protrusion (<NUM>) is provided on the bottom side of each inner pin (<NUM>), and
under the same first cover (<NUM>), the protrusions (<NUM>) of the two inner pins (<NUM>) are aligned with the two inner guide strips (<NUM>) respectively, the two inner pins (<NUM>) are magnetically connected to the two outer pins (<NUM>) respectively.