Programmable locking cylinder

Abstract

The locking cylinder has a stator and a rotor, which can rotate in the stator and has a key opening into which a key can be inserted. The locking cylinder has a multiplicity of tumbler-mating-tumbler pairs, wherein each of the tumblers has a first part and a second part that are connected to one another, for example, with a press fit. In the method for programming a locking cylinder, the locking cylinder has at least one two-part tumbler, having parts that are connected to one another with a press fit. In the method, when a key is introduced into the key opening a length, effective in terms of locking, of the tumbler is changed by the first part and the second part sliding one into the other or moving apart from one another, in particular is reduced by them sliding one into the other.

Claims

1. A locking cylinder, comprising a stator and a rotor, which is rotatable in the stator and which includes a key opening into which a key can be inserted, as well as comprising a plurality of tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs, which are displaceably mounted in bores in the rotor and stator respectively, wherein at least one of the tumblers comprises a first part and a second part that can be brought into different positions relative to one another and fixed in these positions, and at least the associated counter-tumbler comprises a third part and a fourth part, which can be brought into different positions relative to one another and fixed in these positions, wherein a locking-effective total length of the tumbler along a bore axis depends on the relative position of the first and second part, and a locking-effective total length of the counter-tumbler along the bore axis depends on the relative position of the third and the fourth part.

2. The locking cylinder according to claim 1, wherein the shaping of the first, second, third and fourth parts and their arrangement relative to one another in an initial position of the rotor relative to the stator is such that a movement of the fourth part relative to the third part by a path length effects a movement of the second part relative to the first part by said path length.

3. The locking cylinder according to claim 1, comprising an access that is arranged such that a tool can act upon at least the fourth part from outside the locking cylinder and displace at least the fourth part relative to the third part.

4. The locking cylinder according to claim 1, comprising a separation arrangement that is arranged between the first part and the third part, wherein the first part forms an inner, key-side end of the tumbler, wherein the third part forms an outer end of the counter-tumbler, wherein when the bore in the rotor, in which bore the tumbler is mounted and the bore in the stator, in which bore the counter-tumbler is mounted are aligned with one another and the counter-tumbler is pressed inwards by a spring force, then the separation arrangement is in physical contact with the third part and abuts on the first part, and thereby a distance between the inner, key-side end of the tumbler and the outer end of the counter-tumbler is defined by the first part, the third part and the separation arrangement and is independent of the relative positions of the second part and the fourth part.

5. The locking cylinder according to claim 4, wherein the separation arrangement comprises a plurality of defined separating gaps.

6. The locking cylinder according to claim 4, wherein an outer-side portion of the first part, the separation arrangement and an inner-side portion of the third part are aligned with one another with respect to the bore axis, and wherein the second part and the fourth part are aligned with one another.

7. The locking cylinder according to claim 1, wherein all tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs have a same total length, in order to prevent a reading-out.

8. The locking cylinder according to claim 1, wherein, with respect to the bore axis, the second part is arranged radially within a sleeve-like portion of the first part and the fourth part is arranged radially within a sleeve-like portion of the third part.

9. The locking cylinder according to claim 1, wherein the fourth part comprises a through-opening, through which a tool engaging from outside the locking cylinder can act directly upon the second part, in order to bring the second and the fourth part at a defined distance to one another for the definition of a plurality of separating gaps.

10. A locking cylinder according to claim 1, wherein the locking cylinder is programmable by way of a tool that exerts a pushing force upon the counter-tumbler or directly upon the tumbler, in order to displace the second part relative to the first part, while a key with a desired coding is inserted into the cylinder and forms an inner-side stop for the tumbler, said stop being dependent on the coding.

11. The locking cylinder according to claim 10, further comprising an access for the tool.

12. The locking cylinder according to claim 1, wherein the first part and the second part are connected to one another in a press fit.

13. The locking cylinder according to claim 1, wherein a locking-effective length of the tumbler can be reduced by way of pushing the first and the second part into one another.

14. The locking cylinder according to claim 1, wherein a key-side end of the tumbler, which is for tracing a key inserted into the locking cylinder, is formed by the first part, and a counter-tumbler-side end of the tumbler, which is for an interaction with the respectively assigned counter-tumbler, is formed by the second part.

15. The locking cylinder according to claim 1, wherein a stop for limiting a movement of the tumbler into the key opening is formed by the first part.

16. The locking cylinder according to claim 1, wherein a punch is formed by the second part, said punch being inserted into an opening in the assigned first part, said opening being adapted to said punch in a press fit.

17. The locking cylinder according to claim 1, wherein the first parts and the second parts are each manufactured from one of the materials: bronze; brass; free cutting steel or spring steel strip or silver steel ceramic; an artificial material.

18. The locking cylinder according to claim 1, comprising the combination of a plurality of programmable tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs, with which at least the tumbler comprises the first part and the second part that can be brought into different positions relative to one another and can be fixed in these different positions, with at least one MKS tumbler-counter-tumbler pair, with which the tumbler and the counter-tumbler each have a predefined length and with which at least one split pin is present between the tumbler and the counter-tumbler.

19. A device, said device comprising a locking cylinder according to claim 1 as well as a tool, said tool comprising a stop surface and at least one stud that projects out of the stop surface.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the tool comprises several studs that project equally far out of the stop surface.

21. The locking cylinder according to claim 17, wherein the first part is manufactured from bronze and the second part from bronze; or the first part is manufactured from bronze and the second part is manufactured from brass; or the first part is manufactured from silver steel and the second part is manufactured from brass; or the first part is manufactured from bronze and the second part is manufactured from spring steel strip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The subject-matter of the invention is hereinafter explained in more detail by way of embodiment examples and the attached drawings. There are shown in:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a locking cylinder with an inserted key, perspectively;

(3) FIG. 2 shows the locking cylinder of FIG. 1, in an exploded representation, perspectively;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a tumbler-counter-tumbler pair with a spring, perspectively;

(5) FIG. 4 shows the tumbler-counter-tumbler pair of FIG. 3, in section, perspectively;

(6) FIGS. 5-15 show the locking cylinder in part-section, perspectively, for illustrating the locking cylinder and its programming;

(7) FIG. 16 shows a two-part tumbler, schematically, in section;

(8) FIG. 17 show a two-part tumbler, schematically, in section;

(9) FIG. 18 show a two-part tumbler, schematically, in section;

(10) FIG. 19 show a two-part tumbler, schematically, in section;

(11) FIG. 20 show a further embodiment of a generic locking cylinder, in section;

(12) FIG. 21 show the locking cylinder according to FIG. 20, after inserting a coded key;

(13) FIG. 22 show the locking cylinder according to FIGS. 20 and 21 during the programming;

(14) FIG. 23 show the locking cylinder according to FIG. 20-22 after the programming;

(15) FIG. 24 show the locking cylinder according to FIG. 20 during the programming with a tool that permits the programming into a locking cylinder, which can be opened with different keys;

(16) FIG. 25 show the locking cylinder according to FIG. 20 after the programming according to FIG. 24;

(17) FIG. 26 show a locking cylinder, which is an alternative to the locking cylinder according to FIG. 20, during the programming;

(18) FIG. 27 show the locking cylinder according to FIG. 26 after the programming; and

(19) FIGS. 28 and 29 are each a representation of a programmable tumbler-counter-tumbler pair with a separation arrangement, for a locking cylinder according to one of the FIGS. 20-27.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(20) Parts which are not essential for the understanding of the invention to some extent have not been represented. The described embodiment examples are exemplary for the subject-matter of the invention or they serve for its explanation and have no limiting effect.

(21) FIG. 1 in a perspective representation shows a locking cylinder 1 with an inserted key 10. FIG. 2 perspectively shows the locking cylinder of FIG. 1 in an exploded representation. The locking cylinder 1 includes a rotor 5 and a stator 6 as well as a sleeve 7. The locking cylinder 1 can include another housing instead of the sleeve 7, or the housing, apart from the sleeve, can yet include further parts which for example at least partly surround the sleeve, which is not represented in FIG. 1.

(22) As already described further above, an at least two-part tumbler is suggested. One example of this is represented perspectively in FIGS. 3 and 4, in FIG. 4 in a sectioned manner.

(23) In an otherwise known manner, the tumbler 2 together with a counter tumbler 3 (and with a helical spring 4, of which a part is received in a recess 3a of the counter-tumbler 3) as well as with a rotor 5 and stator 6 can permit the conventional closing and opening function of the locking cylinder. The rotor 5 is rotatable in the stator 6 and the rotor 5 is unlocked if, for all tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs, the separating gap T2, which is formed by them in each case coincides with the separating gap between the rotor 5 and the stator 6. The rotor is locked and cannot be rotated in the stator 6 as long as the separating gap T2 of at least one of the tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs lies somewhere else.

(24) The tumbler 2 includes a first part 2a and a second part 2b, which have a press fit 2p. For example, the second (at the counter-tumbler side) part 2b can include a shank 2i and the first (at the key side) part 2a can include a guide 2j for the shank 2i, so that the two parts 2a, 2b are displaceable with respect to one another (whilst retaining the press fit).

(25) As is represented in the example of FIGS. 3 and 4, the second part 2b, which is adjacent to the counter-tumbler, is designed in a T-shaped or mushroom-like manner and the first part 2a in a sleeve-like manner. The first part 2a includes an end 2e, by way of which a key inserted into the locking cylinder is traced.

(26) FIGS. 5 to 15 perspectively show a locking cylinder 1 in a part section, for illustrating the locking cylinder 1 and its programming. Not all reference numerals are used in all of the figures, so as to achieve a clearer representation.

(27) FIG. 5 illustrates a view into the inside of a not yet programmed, generic locking cylinder 1. The individual parts have already being previously described. The key opening is indicated at 1a. All five tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs still have the same length and are located at the same radial position. The initial situation can look the same in the case of locking cylinders for serrated locks. The length and alignment can be different for the different tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs for locking cylinders for reversible keys, which are more complex than that which is represented.

(28) Moreover, it is only the case in which the locking cylinder is already preassembled with tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs as well as a spring 4 and sleeve 7, which is illustrated hereinafter. However, this does not necessarily need to be the case. For example, the sleeve 7 or also the sleeve 7 and counter-tumblers 3 (and springs 4) can alternatively be incorporated not until after the programming.

(29) FIG. 6 illustrates the insertion of a key 10, for which (and by way of which) the locking cylinder 1 is to be programmed. The length of the tumblers 2 is still unchanged, but their radial position changes due to the insertion of the key 10, as is to be recognised at the separating gaps T2, T2. The stop 1b of the bore is also visible in FIG. 6, and this stop has the effect that the tumblers 2 do not project too far into the key opening when the key 10 is not inserted (cf. FIG. 5).

(30) The key 10 is completely inserted in FIG. 7. The length of the tumblers 2 is still unchanged, but their radial (with regard to the axis of the rotor) position is now determined by the coding provided on the key 10, as can be recognised at the separating gaps T2, T2.

(31) A tool 9 for the programming (programming tool) is represented. It has several studs 9a, which are fastened on a base plate, by way of which a stop surface 9b is formed. A counter-stop 8 for the tool 9 is formed by the outer surface of the sleeve 7 in the represented example.

(32) In FIG. 7, one also sees that the studs 9a of the tool are introduced through openings in the housing (here the sleeve 7) and that the helical springs then surround the studs. The openings in the housing have a smaller diameter than the helical springs, so that the latter can support themselves on the inner surface of the housing.

(33) As is evident in FIG. 8, the studs 9a of the tool 9 are pushed through the sleeve 7 into the stator 6, wherein they each extend through the inside of one of the helical springs 4.

(34) A force K, by way of which the parts 2a and 2b situated in a mutual press fit are pushed into one another is symbolised by the arrow K in FIG. 9. This leads to the shortening of the length of tumblers 2, which can be recognised in FIG. 9.

(35) Stop surface 9b (of the tool 9) and the counter-stop 8 (of the locking cylinder 1) are in contact with one another in FIG. 10, so that a force for pushing the two parts 2a, 2b of the tumblers 2 into one another can no longer be exerted by way of the tool 9. The locking cylinder 1 now programmed and the rotor 5 is unlocked. As is evident from FIG. 10, all separating gaps T2 of the tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs coincide with the separating gap T1 between the rotor 5 and the stator 6.

(36) FIG. 11 shows the tool 9 being removed again, by way of the studs 9a being pulled out of the locking cylinder 1 again, and in FIG. 12 this tool it no longer represented.

(37) The situation when the key 10 has been rotated a little after the actual programming is illustrated in FIG. 13. The tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs are separated from one another. The key is rotated yet a little further in FIG. 14, and the rotor 5 is no longer represented in a sectioned manner. The key 10 is rotated yet somewhat further in FIG. 15.

(38) As has become clear from above, the programming of the locking cylinder 1 can be effected in a simple but nevertheless precise manner, and the applied tool 9 can be one which is easily manufacturable.

(39) With complex locking cylinders, for example with bores for the tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs, the bores running non-radially and at different angles and having different lengths, it can be necessary or make sense to use an individual tool for each tumbler-counter-tumbler pair or to use different tools for some of the tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs.

(40) The tool or the tools thus carry no information on the coding of the locking cylinder. The coding of the locking cylinder is assumed by the key.

(41) FIG. 16 schematically shows a two-part tumbler 2, in section. This tumbler 2 corresponds to that which is represented in FIGS. 3 and 4. The first part 2a is sleeve-like and forms (by way of an inner bore) an inner guide 2j for the shank 2i of the second part 2b, the second part being designed in a T-shaped or mushroom-shaped manner. The first part 2a further includes a stop 2c, by way of which (by way of interacting with the stop 1b, see FIG. 6) the tumbler 2 is held in its bore and too far a projecting of the tumbler 2 into the key opening 1a is prevented.

(42) However, many further geometries of two-part tumblers 2 are also possible. The FIGS. 16 to 19 show a few examples.

(43) For the sake of clarity, the first part 2a is represented by way of lines, which are represented in a broader manner than the second part 2b in FIGS. 16 to 19. The locking-effective length of the tumblers 2 is indicated at L.

(44) A second position of the second part 2b as well as the corresponding (shortened) locking-effective length L as can be present for example after the programming of the locking cylinder is symbolised in FIG. 16 by way of dotted lines.

(45) The tumbler 2 of FIG. 17 is similar to that of FIG. 16. In this case however, the guidance of the second part 2b in the bore is improved, which however entails a more complicated manufacture of the second part 2b.

(46) In the examples of FIGS. 18 and 19, an inner guide is formed by the second part 2b, whilst a shank, which is guided in this, is formed by the first part 2a.

(47) In the case of FIG. 18, the stop 2c is formed by the first part 2a, as with FIGS. 16 and 17. However, this entails a lower wall thickness of the sleeve-like second part 2b.

(48) If the stop 2c is provided on the second part 2b as in FIG. 19, then the wall thickness of the sleeve-like second part 2b can be larger, so that the second part 2b can be quite robust. However, an optical readability of the coding can be simplified by way of this.

(49) Some details have already been made concerning the material selection. For example, bronze can be selected for the first part 2a and brass for the second part 2b. Typical dimensions are a maximal diameter of the tumblers between 2 mm and 3 mm and a shank or guide diameter between 1 mm and 1.6 mm, with a (diameter-related) interference for the press fit of between 0.015 mm and 0.04. Other materials and dimensions are conceivable.

(50) An example of a locking cylinder 1 according to the first and the second aspect is represented in FIG. 20, in which, as in the following figures, the rotor 5 and the stator 6 with tumblers 2 and counter-tumblers 30 are represented in section in the initial position (in which the bores of the rotor and the stator are aligned with one another and in which the key can be inserted or also withdrawn), wherein the housing, on which for example (not drawn in these figures) springs acting upon the counter-tumbler at the outer side support themselves, is not drawn for the sake of simplicity. As explained by way of the above examples, such a housing can include openings for the studs of the tool.

(51) The generic, programmable locking cylinder is drawn in the initial, unprogrammed configuration and without a key shank inserted into the keyway 1a is shown in FIG. 20. FIGS. 28 and 29 each show a tumbler-counter-tumbler pair with a separation arrangement for a locking cylinder as is represented in FIG. 20 and the subsequent figures, FIG. 29 in an exploded representation (wherein the elements 41, 42, 43 of the separation arrangement 40 are drawn close together, although they can be designed, for example, as separate elements).

(52) In contrast to the previously described embodiments of the first aspect, apart from the two-part tumblers 2, the locking cylinder 1 also includes two-part counter-tumblers 30, which one can see particularly well in FIGS. 28 and 29. The programmable tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs (in FIG. 20 all represented ten pairs are represented as programmable pairs; however combinations with conventional tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs are also conceivable) are constructed as follows: the first part 2a of the tumbler includes the inner end 2e, which projects into the keyway 1a. At the outer side, it includes a sleeve-like section, which forms an outwardly open opening and which forms a guide 2j for the second part 2b. The second part is designed as an inner part, which is guidable in the inside of the sleeve-like section and which in the initial configuration is only inserted with its inner end into the guide 2j. The second part 2b is fixed relative to the first part 2a since the first part and the second part in their dimensioning are matched to one another such that a press fit results.

(53) The counter-tumblers 30 also include a third, outer part 30a and a fourth, inner part 30b. The fourth part 30b is guided in the third part 30a, which for this purpose is constructed in a sleeve-like manner, with a continuous opening. The dimensioning of this continuous opening is matched to the outer dimensioning of the fourth part such that a press fit likewise results between these parts. The continuous opening of the third part 30a can be extended to the outside, so that an opening 30d (a peripheral groove in the arrangement according to FIG. 28), which is delimited to the bottom and into which a helical spring of the previously described type can engage results, wherein the helical spring at the outer side abuts on an inner surface of a housing surrounding the stator and likewise being of the already previously described type.

(54) In the represented examples, the fourth part itself is likewise designed in a sleeve-like manner with an inner opening 30c, which is continuous in the direction of the bore axis. This design is optional and in embodiments serves for the purpose of programming a master key system (MKS), which is explained in yet more detail hereinafter.

(55) A separation arrangement 40 is present between the first part 2a and the third part 30a. This includes a plurality of separation elements 41, 42, 43, between which a separating gap is formed in each case. The thickness of the separation elements (measured in the direction of the bore axis) corresponds to the difference of two adjacent possible coding depths of coding bores of the key, the difference being provided in the complete locking system. Here, the key is designed a flat key/reversible key. If the invention is embodied by a serrated key, then the thickness corresponds to the distance of two adjacent possible coding steps of the serrated profile.

(56) The separation elements can be fixed relative to the second part 2b as well as relative to the fourth part 30b, here likewise by way of a press fit, by way of them including a continuous opening, which, with regard to its inner diameter, is accordingly matched to the outer diameter of the first and fourth part. Accordingly, the separation elements can be counted as belonging the tumbler or to the counter tumbler after the programming.

(57) A fixation of the separation elements relative to the tumbler or counter-tumbler is otherwise not necessary at all. In contrast, these can also be arranged for example in a loose manner relative to the tumbler/counter-tumbler, since their function lies in the definition of the distance between the first and the third part during the programming and the position of the separation elements relative to the tumbler and counter-tumbler is already defined by the arrangement.

(58) In the initial configuration, all separation elements 41-43 are fixed on the second part 2b.

(59) In the represented embodiment example, the separation elements 41, 42, 43 are formed as holed discs (washers). Alternatively, they can also initially form a single-piece element with predefined breakage locations corresponding to the separating gaps. Other geometries, for example slotted rings are possible and an inside-outside interchanging (i.e. the second and the fourth part are each sleeve-like, and the first and the second part as well as the separation arrangement are led in these sleeves) is likewise not ruled out, wherein in the latter case openings in the housing (not represented in FIG. 20 ff.) for the studs of the tool are possibly to be adapted and can be designed for example in a half-moon like manner.

(60) FIG. 21 shows the locking cylinder according to FIG. 20 after inserting a key 10. The tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs are displaced outward to a different extent in accordance with the coding of the key, counter to the spring force of the springs, which are not shown. In this configuration, the locking cylinder is ready to be programmed according to the coding of the inserted key 10.

(61) FIG. 22 shows the programming. A tool 9, which is designed analogously to the tool described by way of the first aspect and which has a stud 9a is positioned relative to the locking cylinder such that the stud 9a project into the bore, and is then pressed against the cylinder until the stop surface 9b abuts on a corresponding stop surface of the cylinder (in FIG. 22 formed by the outer surface of the stator; alternatively also by a surface of the housing which is not drawn).

(62) The stud 9a act upon the fourth part, which is pressed in further relative to the bore, inasmuch as it is not already seated so deeply in the bore that the respective stud 9a does not reach it at allthis being due to a particularly deep coding bore of the key (as in FIG. 21 at the position P1). The fourth part 30b is displaced inwards relative to the third part by way of the pressing force and thereby presses the second part inwards relative to the first part. Here, the first and the second part are prevented from being displaced inwards due to the abutting on the key 10 or on the separation arrangement 40.

(63) The length of the studs 9a is matched to the dimension of the fourth part such that on pressing in the tool up to the stop, the separating gap between the second and the fourth partsaid separating gap forming the separating gap between the tumbler and counter tumbleris aligned with the separating gap between the rotor and the stator, for all tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs, which can be clearly seen in FIG. 22. Since a separating gap is present between the separation arrangement 40 and the first 2a or the third part 30b or between elements 41, 42, 42 of the separation arrangement, at each coding depth of the coding bore, then this is a sufficient as well as necessary condition for the rotor 5 to be able to be rotated relative to the stator 6 when the key 10 is inserted.

(64) Two tools 9 are drawn in FIG. 22, one for each of the represented coding rows. However, it is of course also possible to work with only one tool even with the presence of several rows, which is mostly the case for a flat key; the tool is then sequentially applied for the programming of the various rows.

(65) For the engagement of studs of the tool 9, the housing (for example sleeve; not drawn in FIG. 20-27) which surrounds the sleeve includes one opening per bore in the stator, the opening being aligned with this bore and having a smaller diameter than the bore but a larger diameter than the respective stud of the tool, so that a stop surface for the helical spring is formed, and the stud can nevertheless act through this opening upon the fourth part 30b. The diameter of the stud is possibly larger than the diameter of the inner opening 30c of the fourth part 30b, but it is smaller than the diameter of the helical spring and of the fourth part 30b

(66) FIG. 23 shows the programmed locking cylinder after removal of the key 10. The key 10 or a key, which is constructionally the same, must be inserted so that all separating gaps between the second and fourth element are accordingly positioned, so that the locking cylinder can be actuated by way of rotating the rotor 5.

(67) It is often a requirement for the locking cylinder to be able to be actuated by way of several different keys, in order to provide different access authorisations, for example for a main entrance and apartment doors, for a master key or more complex different stages of hierarchy. For this purpose, in the case of purely mechanical locks, at least some of the tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs must have several separating gaps so as to be able to be actuated by different keys, and/or tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs must be completely omitted.

(68) Systems with locking cylinders, which can be opened by several different keys, are called MKS systems here. Two possibilities thatapart from the trivial solution of simply omitting tumbler-counter-tumbler pairsenable locking cylinders according to the invention to also be suitable to MKS systems, are represented hereinafter by way of FIGS. 24-27.

(69) FIG. 24 shows a locking cylinder, which, with regard to the initial configuration corresponds to that of FIG. 20, during the programming in a set-up analogously to FIG. 22. However, the tool 9 is constructed in a more complex manner in comparison to the embodiment according to FIG. 22. Apart from the studs 9a, it includes a plurality of programming pins 90, which are led through the tool coaxially with the tumbler and counter-tumbler bore and can be led through the inner opening 30c of the fourth part 30b as well as through the inner opening of the separation arrangement 40, and can therefore act directly upon the second part 2b.

(70) In the represented embodiment, the tool 9 is equipped with one programming pin 90 per 9a, which however is optional. If the position, at which the tumblercounter-tumbler pair is to have several separating gaps is known from the very beginning, then an equipping only at these positions can also be present. As a further alternative, the functions of the studs 9a and of the programming pins 90 can also be implemented by two different tools, which are applied one after the other, or the same tool can be applied twice in a successive manner, once without programming pins and once with programming pins.

(71) The programming pins 90 can be adjusted (relative to the body and the studs 9a of the tool in the drawn embodiment) such that they project differently far into the bores and on guiding the tool up to the stop 9b push the second parts 2b inwards to a different extent. In particular, they can push a second part 2b further inwards than it was pushed inwards by the fourth part 30b by way of the action of the stud 9a, so that the second part lies at a defined distance to the fourth part in this case. This can also be easily seen in FIG. 25, which shows the situation after the removal of the tool 9 and the withdrawal of the key.

(72) In the shown illustrative example, the distance at the position P1 for example is two units (a unit is the difference between two adjacent, possible and defined coding depths of coding bores of the key, corresponding to the distance of two adjacent separating gaps of the separation arrangement 40, here corresponding to the thickness of one of the separation elements 41, 42, 43), at the position P5 is three units, at the position P3 is one unit, and at the positions P2 and P4 no distance at all is present.

(73) There are several possible separating gaps between the tumbler and counter-tumbler, where a distance between the second and the fourth part is programmed in; the separation elements in the intermediate space can selectively remain in the bore of the tumbler or counter-tumbler when the rotor is rotated relative to the statorsimilarly to a so-called split pin as is known in conventional mechanical locking systems with MKS function.

(74) The number of separating gaps per tumbler-counter-tumbler pair is a+1, wherein a is the distance, measured in mentioned units.

(75) A locking system which includes at least one tumbler-counter-tumbler pair, which has a plurality of separating gaps, as is demanded for locking systems with an MKS system, is rendered possible by way of the programming meanshere programming pins 90that act directly upon the second part.

(76) FIG. 26 shows an approach, which is alternative to this and concerning which individual ones of the tumbler-counter-tumbler pairsin the represented example the two pairs, which are at the very inside with respect to the key opening, i.e. to the very left in the representation of FIG. 26are not programmable, but are designed as a pair of conventional tumblers 22 and counter-tumblers 23, with a split pin 24 therebetween. The split pin 24or perhaps several split pins per bore paircan be shaped with different thicknesses as is known per se and thus have different separating gaps corresponding to defined coding depths of the corresponding bore on the key. The construction and programming of the remaining tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs is as described by way of FIG. 20-23. FIG. 27 shows the locking cylinder after the programming.

(77) In contrast to the already described embodiment examples, the selection of the coding of the key for a locking cylinder according to FIGS. 26 and 27 is not freely selectable. In contrast, the codings are predefined at the positions of the conventional tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs, which are provided by the cylinder manufacturer, wherein as is known from MKS system, several different codings matchdepending on the selected tumbler, counter-tumbler and split pin(s).

(78) The conventional MKS tumbler-counter-tumbler pairs can optionally be identical with all locking cylinders of a series of locking cylinders and thus likewise be able to be delivered as generic cylinders, but provide an MKS function due to their design.

(79) Systems with the MKS function according to the principle of the FIGS. 26 and 27 in particular have an MKS function and nevertheless can be programmed with the simplest of tools; they therefore combine the MKS functionality of known systems with the programmability by way of the simplest of tools according to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-23.

(80) In all represented embodiment examples of the first and second aspect, a press fit has been described for the fixation of the first part relative to the second part and possibly for the fixation of the third part relative to the fourth part. This however is not necessary. Other fixation mechanisms, which permit the programming of the type described here, are conceivable for all embodiments of the first and/or second aspect.

(81) A first alternative to the press fit (of a non-positive connection) for example is a latching system, according to which the second part can latch relative to the first part and/or possibly the fourth part relative to the third part, at a plurality of defined positions. For example, the second part can include a small peripheral rib or at least one latching projection, which can latch into one of several corresponding grooves or latching openings of the first part. This analogously optionally applies to the fourth part and the third part.

(82) A second alternative for the press fit is bonding, wherein a small quality of adhesive is then incorporated between the first and the second part and/or between the third and the fourth part, before the programming, and wherein the tool is not removed until after the curing of the adhesive.

(83) Other material connections such as weldingfor example by way a current conducted through the counter-tumbler and tumbleror soldering, are also not to be ruled out. Likewise not ruled out are other (apart from the latching system) positive connections, for example connected by way of an activation (for example rotation of the second/fourth element in the manner of a bayonet connection).