Patent Grant
9777514
This application is the National Stage of PCT/AT2014/050101 filed on Apr. 23, 2014, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of German Application No. 10 2013 104 495.6 filed on May 2, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. The international application under PCT article 21(2) was not published in English.
The invention relates to a lock which can be actively released and locked by control technology and an automatic storage machine for the distribution, transfer or temporary storage of objects as described in claims 1 and 19.
An electrically unlocking or unlatching lock, which is used mainly for automatic storage machines, automated deposit box arrangements or the like, is known from EP 2 176 477 B1, which is in the name of the Applicant. A lock is described in which a locking element which is securely connected to a compartment door can penetrate through an opening in the housing of the lock into the lock. In the lock a detent pawl is arranged which with a closed compartment door can capture or block the locking element either directly or indirectly by means of a coupling member, thus preventing the opening of the door. The detent pawl on the input of an authorization signal into the lock electronics is pivoted actively by means of an electric drive member out of the locking position, in order to thus release the locking element or if necessary the coupling member and enable the opening of the door. On closing the door the detent pawl is pushed by a spring force acting thereon into the locking position so that the compartment door is locked again. Said locking process is performed without providing electric power and without needing a control signal in a passive manner. In the case of a power failure, caused either deliberately or for another reason or on the occurrence of a defect in the electronic control or if the automatic storage machine is disabled due to a fault, the compartment door cannot be opened after accidental or unauthorized shutting until the lock is supplied with power again and/or if necessary until a repair has been performed.
In automatic storage machines with larger compartments, which may be necessary or expedient depending on the purpose in each case, it is not possible to completely prevent unsupervised children from climbing into such a compartment if, contrary to the instructions, compartment doors have been left open after a collection. In addition, if the machine has been decommissioned there is a risk that someone may get locked in unintentionally. Also other instances of misuse are possible which may be caused by persons not authorized to use the machines.
The underlying objective of the present invention is an electrically controlled lock or a self-service automatic storage machine, which reduces potential risks for people or animals and which reliably prevents the unauthorized locking of open doors.
Said objective of the invention is achieved by the measures described in claim 1. By means of the security device according to the invention it is ensured that on the interruption of the power supply, which is caused intentionally or by external circumstances, for the automatic storage machines or for a higher control device in functional connection with the lock the locking of the compartment door is prevented by means of the lock according to the invention. In this way the unauthorized locking of open compartment doors is reliably prevented and the risk of children and/or animals getting locked in unintentionally or by playing can be minimized.
Advantageously, by means of the lock according to the invention the typical passive locking of a compartment door by control technology is eliminated by an electromechanical mechanism actively influenced by control technology, which comprises the said security device. Said security device reliably prevents with the omission or absence of an high power release signal, for example during a power cut or the failure of the higher control functionally connected to the lock, the uncontrolled, erroneous or unauthorized locking of a previously unlocked lock. In this way the risk of a potentially dangerous state is reduced in which locking occurs, as a result of error or by unauthorized locking, whilst a living being is located inside the storage compartment.
In particular, the design of the security device according to the invention is particularly advantageous with respect to the later decommissioning or deactivation of locker-like storage systems equipped with the lock according to the invention at the end of their lifetime. By means of the described security device of the lock the risk of a problematic situation occurring is also minimized.
It is also advantageous that the lock according to the invention comprises a mechanically simple and compact structure in which as few movable parts as possible are used.
Furthermore, for unlocking and locking the lock relatively simple drive elements are used which enable an inexpensive and structurally simple automation of the lock. In addition, it is an advantage that the electric drive elements are only activated or supplied with current for the active unlocking or locking processes respectively, so that it is possible to control the lock with relatively low, electric power requirements.
Lastly, the mechanical and electric components of the lock including the security device can be installed in a relatively compact manner into the housing. In this way a compact, one piece lock can be assembled which can be installed rapidly and easily into an automatic storage machine or storage compartment.
In particular, the lock designed according to the invention can prevent a child or an animal for example entering a compartment space through an open compartment door and the compartment door locking simply by shutting with an interrupted power supply. This thus reduces the risk that playing children or animals may get locked in or that objects are placed into open machine compartments without authorization and locked in.
A configuration of the lock according to claim 2 is also an advantage, as in this way it is possible to ensure the secure locking of closed compartment doors in the case of a power failure. Said measure prevents the automatic opening of a locked compartment door by means of the security device.
The embodiment according to claim 3 increases the manipulation security of the lock, as a pivot force acts continuously on the detect pawl on the locking mechanism of the lock, in particular with a locked compartment door. Said pivot force opposes a manipulation force also applied externally with the purpose of removing the detent pawl from its locking position.
By means of a procedure according to claim 4 during the controlled unlocking of the compartment door a prompt, automatic and operationally secure activation of the security device is ensured so that the blocking element is located straight away in its blocking position and remains in the blocking position such that only by means of a subsequent active, power-charged locking signal or power charging of the second drive element is the spring force of the second spring means overcome and it is possible to move the blocking element into the release position. In this way in the unpowered state of the lock or the higher control device the compartment doors cannot be locked so that the occurrence of a potentially dangerous state is prevented as far as possible.
The measure according to claim 5 is an advantage as in this way the activation of the security device is prevented in the locked state of the compartment door, whereby a high locking security of the lock or a storage compartment equipped with the latter is ensured. Furthermore, in this way an unwanted or unauthorized unlocking of the lock is effectively prevented with a closed compartment door, regardless of whether the lock or the higher control device is supplied with power or is in an unpowered state.
The advantageous embodiment of the security device as claimed in claim 6 ensures that in the case of an interruption in the power supply the detent pawl cannot enter the locking position with an opened compartment door, i.e. in the unlocked state of the lock. In this way the locking of the compartment door which is unintentional or caused by other reasons can be prevented by the lock.
The configuration of the means for holding the blocking element in its blocking position according to the features of claim 7 provides an efficient and operationally reliable variant for preventing a restoring of the locking element from the locking position to the release position. In this way it is ensured that a compartment door can only be locked by the higher control device for the lock in the presence of a powered locking signal or only in correct operating states.
The design of the means for holding the blocking element in the blocking position according to the features of claim 8 is particularly advantageous, as this represents a structurally simple and robust variant.
A procedure according to the features of claim 9 enables in particular the detection of the locked position of the compartment door. In this way the state of the storage compartment, i.e. whether the compartment door is open or closed, can be detected electronically. In particular, it can be detected reliably whether the locking element has entered sufficiently far into the housing of the lock to enable the locking of the compartment door by means of the detent pawl. Furthermore, by combining or linking with other status information the compartment doors which have not been closed completely or not locked correctly can be identified automatically. Consequently, by means of a higher control device suitable counter measures can be introduced or specific requirements can be set for a user.
It is also an advantage to design a movement transmitting element for activating the first detecting means, as described in claim 10. By means of this configuration the first detecting means can be arranged deep inside the lock or spaced as far apart as possible from the compartment door. In this way the manipulation of the first detecting means from the outside is made very difficult and this thus increases the operating safety of the lock.
By way of the measure according to claim 11 an operationally secure and rapid signaling of the closed position of the compartment door is provided so that the locking of the compartment door can be activated promptly. In this way the power charging of the lock can be limited to the shortest possible time period to enable the locking of the compartment door. This makes it possible to have an inexpensive control electronic system and to use as little power as possible which can be significant for example in a self-sufficient power supply, in particular with a bridging or emergency power supply.
The features of claim 12 represent a particularly simple but reliable embodiment variant of the movement transmitting element.
A configuration of the blocking element as described in the features of claim 13 is also advantageous, as in this way a means is provided for limiting the pivotability of the detent pawl in the direction of its locking position. A release generated in this way between the detent pawl and the coupling member is particularly advantageous for increasing the manipulation security of the lock, as in this way a locking position of the detent pawl can be defined in which the achieved locking effect is as secure from manipulation as possible. Furthermore, by means of such a configuration of the blocking element a different design or assembly of a separate or structurally independent limiting element in the housing of the lock can be omitted, whereby the structure can be simplified and the manufacturing costs of the lock housing can be reduced. The thus generated limiting of the pivot movement of the detect pawl in the direction of the coupling member also has the advantage that the detent pawl can also adopt the optimal locking position after a plurality of activating cycles of the lock, in which locking position the planned locking and manipulation safety is achieved. In particular, such a configuration is also particularly low wearing over the long term, as it is possible to avoid having a load-transmitting support of the detent pawl on the coupling member.
By way of the measures according to claim 14 on the one hand manipulation attempts and on the other hand malfunctions can be identified by control technology on the lock or in a storage compartment equipped with the latter. In particular, it is possible to detect reliably whether the detent pawl is located in its locking position, which in combination with the status information detected by other detecting means makes it possible to technically detect any deviations from the correct operating states of the lock.
By means of the configuration of the lock according to the features of claim 15 it is possible to determine by control technology whether the lock or the security device is functioning correctly. Furthermore, in connection with additional detecting means a conclusion can be drawn about unintended states. In addition, with the occurrence of specific parameter combinations an alarm is triggered automatically or a faulty state is signaled.
The use or installation of a balance element as described in claim 16 is particularly advantageous. In this case the balance element acts advantageously as a force balancing counter element to the detent pawl, whereby in particular the manipulation safety of the lock can be improved additionally.
By means of the embodiment described in claim 17 a structurally simple and reliable activation of the second detecting element is achieved. Furthermore, in this way the manufacturing costs of the lock and the structural size of the lock can be kept as small as possible.
The configuration or bearing of the blocking element according to the features of claim 18 has the advantage that on adjusting the blocking element the frictional forces are low. This increases the operational reliability of the security device. Furthermore, the lifetime of the security device or lock can be increased. In addition, a relatively non jamming adjustment of the locking element can be achieved between the locking position and the release position or vice versa, whereby the probability of the occurrence of a malfunction can be reduced considerably.
Furthermore, the objective of the invention is also achieved by an automatic storage machine according to claim 19. The effects and technical actions achievable by means of such an automatic storage machine can be taken from the preceding parts of the description.
By means of the measures according to claim 20 it is an advantage that the unintentional or otherwise caused closing of a compartment door of an automatic storage machine is prevented on interruption of the power supply. However, in the case of a power cut, which is intentional or caused by other reasons, the secure locking of a closed compartment door is ensured. In addition, on the occurrence of a fault or defect in the control device a potentially safety critical state can be prevented.
Lastly, by way of the measures according to claim 21 personal safety can be increased, as the closing and locking of an open compartment door is linked with the given conditions which are easily determined by control technology.
The configuration of the automatic storage machine according to claim 22 has the advantage that smaller storage compartments, which a child is very unlikely to get locked into, can be assigned structurally simpler and less expensive locks without a security device. For this a lock can be used as described in EP 2 176 477 B1 for example. This modular use of locks with different configuration levels enables solutions for automatic storage machines which are fit for purpose, as inexpensive as possible and yet are still reliable.
Lastly, the measure according to claim 23 ensures that it is largely impossible or at least extremely difficult to open a locked compartment door by force, even if said compartment door has relatively large dimensions, in particular a relatively large height.
For a better understanding of the invention the latter is explained in more detail with reference to the following Figures.
In a much simplified, schematic view:
First of all, it should be noted that in the variously described exemplary embodiments the same parts have been given the same reference numerals and the same component names, whereby the disclosures contained throughout the entire description can be applied to the same parts with the same reference numerals and same component names. Also details relating to position used in the description, such as e.g. top, bottom, side etc. relate to the currently described and represented figure and in case of a change in position should be adjusted to the new position.
The lock 1 has a housing 3 that is as stable as possible. An extension of the housing 3 can run parallel to the depth direction of a compartment according to arrow 4 in
For example, the base part 5 has an angular deflection 6 which forms an end wall plate 7 of the housing 3. In said end wall plate 7 an opening 8 is formed which allows the insertion of a locking element 9 or a corresponding locking bolt into the housing 3 of the lock 1. Said locking element 9, which can be shaped for example to be hook-like, bracket-like or eyelet-like, or can be formed by a locking bolt with undercuts or with cross-sectional widenings, is preferably connected via a mounting plate 10 as rigidly as possible and in a tear-proof manner to a corresponding compartment door 2, in particular is screwed. In
According to an advantageous embodiment the mounting plate 10 for the locking element 9′ can be supported in the closed and locked state of the compartment door 2 with the interconnection of at least one spacing and screw fastening means 11 for the mounting plate 10 on the compartment door 2 in a load-transmitting manner on the housing 3 of the lock 1, in particular on its end wall plate 7. Said spacing and screw fastening means 11 is preferably made in one piece, in the manner of a block, however it can also be formed for example by one or more cylinder bodies, which ensure mutual support between the compartment door 2 or between the mounting plate 10 for the locking element 9 or 9′ and the housing 3 of the lock 1. This prevents the locking element 9 or 9′ in case of impact or pressure on the compartment door 2 from penetrating into the housing 3 further than permitted, whereby damage to the lock mechanism or the lock electronics can be prevented in a simple manner.
The described lock mechanism is designed to be particularly simple and at the same time to be relatively secure from manipulation. Inside the housing 3 of the lock 1 according to the embodiment of
The coupling member 12 designed preferably as a rotary latch 13 is mounted rotatably about an axle 15 which runs perpendicular to the insertion direction of the locking element 9 into the lock housing 3. The rotary movement of the rotary latch 13 about the axle 15 is thus controlled via the detent pawl 14, in particular is released or locked. In the locking position of the lock 1 shown in
Preferably, the rotary latch 13—as already known—is pretensioned by means of a spring means 16 in opening direction so that the rotary latch 13 is pushed with an inactive position or release position of the detent pawl 14 into the opening position, whereby the compartment door 2 via the locking element 9′ engaging therein ring element 9′ springs open forming at least a gap width.
In any case an embodiment variant of the lock construction is possible without a rotary latch 13 or without a coupling member 12, in which alternative embodiment variant the detent pawl 14 in the locked state of the compartment door 2 is in direct engagement with the locking element 9. The preferred embodiment variant of the lock 1 comprises a coupling member 12 or a rotary latch 13.
The detent pawl 14 is movably coupled to a first drive element 17, preferably with a first electromagnet 18 in the manner of a tie bar magnet. In particular, the position of the detent pawl 14 can be controlled automatically by means of the first drive element 17 into a release position in which there is a rotary movement of the rotary latch 13 in the direction of its opening position.
The detent pawl 14 is preferably designed as a two-armed lever, the first lever arm 19 of which represents the detent pawl 14 and works together with the coupling member 12. The second lever arm 20 is thus connected movably to the preferably electrically activatable first drive element 17. In particular, the second lever arm 20 of the detent pawl 14 is coupled movably to the linearly movable armature 21 of the first drive element 17 via a joint connection 22 such that by means of the linear downwards or upwards lift of the armature 21 the detent pawl 14 is moved from its locking position—according to
Furthermore, it is possible that a balance element 24 is movably coupled to the first drive element 17 or its armature 21 via the joint connection 22. Said balance element 24 is also designed as a lever, wherein the first lever arm 25 of the balance element 24 is movably connected to the first electric drive element 17 via the joint connection 22. By means of the linear downwards and upwards lift of the armature 21 the balance element 24 performs a pivot movement about its pivot axis 26. The joint connection 22 is configured such that the detent pawl 14 and the balance element 24 are movably coupled to one another by means of the joint connection 22. To improve the manipulation security of the lock 1 advantageously the balance element 24 and the detent pawl 14 and the armature 21 of the first electric drive element 17 are balanced out at least approximately in terms of mass and/or force. The three movably coupled elements detent pawl 14, balance element 24 and armature 21 are balanced out such that on the introduction of translational or rotational pulses into the lock housing 3, such as during violent impact on the automatic storage machine or a compartment door 2, it is possible that there are no resulting movements of said three coupled elements and thus also the detent pawl 14 and thus the compartment door 2 remains reliably locked.
Preferably, a first spring means 27 is designed, the spring force of pushes the detent pawl 14 continually and continuously into its locked position or locking position. Said spring means 27 can be assigned directly to the detent pawl 14, however it can also be assigned to the first drive element 17 or the armature 21. For example, the spring means 27 for the automatic transfer of the detent pawl 14 into the locked position is assigned to the balance element 24 and in the unpowered or currentless state of the first electric drive element 17 an extended position of the armature 21 relative to the drive element 17 is possible, whereby the detent pawl 14 is pushed into its locking position shown in
The end face 28 of the detent pawl 14 facing the coupling member 12, in particular the rotary latch 13, bears bluntly on the coupling member 12, when the lock 1 is in the locked state shown in
In addition, in
As shown in
The blocking element 33 can be mounted adjustably translationally and rotationally by means of a linear and pivot bearing 35a relative to the housing 3 or base part 5. A guide of the linear or pivot movement of the blocking element 33 is formed in the embodiment variant shown in
As shown in
Alternatively and/or in addition to restricting the pivotability of the detent pawl 14 in the direction of the locking position 36 by means of the blocking element 33, a limiting stop, which is not shown in
In the locking position 36 of the detent pawl 14 shown in
The detent pawl 14 is mainly pivoted actively out of the locking position 36 on the input of an unlocking signal into the lock 1 by means of the first electric drive member 17 or is moved into its release position 41 shown in
The blocking element 33 shown in
The means 41a for holding the blocking element 33 in the blocking position 40 can be designed in two parts and formed by a holding means 42 formed on the blocking element 33 and a holding element 43 assigned to the blocking element 33. In this case the holding means 42 and the holding element 43 with a blocking element 33 located in the blocking position 40 bear on one another in a load or force-transmitting manner and prevent a spring-force determined transfer of the blocking element 33 into the release position 38. In this way it is possible to prevent a control technology inactive or mechanically automatic locking of the compartment door in the unpowered state of the lock 1 or the higher control device. Also during the manual closing or shutting of the compartment door and the associated transfer of the coupling member 12 forced by the locking element from the opening position shown in
In the embodiment shown in
Alternatively, the holding pin 46 or holding bolt can also be designed as an axle, which supports a bearing sleeve or a small roller bearing not shown in the Figures, whereby the bearing surface 44 then rolls off the bearing. In this way the frictional force between the holding pin 46 and the bearing surface 44 can be reduced significantly or largely removed, whereby the required force of the electromagnet 48 for moving the blocking element 33 into the release position 38 is reduced and overall the reliability and long-term stability is improved. Likewise, in this way the wear of the holding pin 46 and the bearing surface 44 is reduced.
It should be noted at this point that the embodiment of the lock 1 and security device 32 shown in
For the purpose of locking the storage compartment or the lock 1 the blocking element 33 is rather movably coupled to a second electric drive element 47, preferably to a second electromagnet 48 in the manner of a tie bar magnet. In the example embodiment shown in
Lastly, by means of the measures explained above, the lock 1 on shutting the compartment door can only lock the compartment door if in this time period the second electric drive element 47 is powered and the first electric drive element 17 is not powered, i.e. if the superordinate control device sends a high power, active locking signal to the lock 1.
Preferably, a signal triggered by manually closing the compartment door 2, which signal is used for activating the second electric drive element 47, is supplied by a first detecting means 51. Said first detecting means 51 is used for determining whether the locking element 9′—
With the existing power supply for the lock 1 or for the higher control device and with authorisation for closing the storage compartment, if the first detecting means 51 is triggered the blocking element 33 can be transferred indirectly or directly by the charging with power the second electric drive element 47 from the blocking position 40 into the release position 38, which enables the correct locking of the compartment door 2 by the lock 1.
During the unlocking of the compartment door triggered by means of control technology a spring means 55 assigned to the ram element 53 can cause a linear displacement of the ram element 53 in the direction of the end wall plate 7 of the housing 3 of the lock 1. In this case the ram element 53 exits through an opening 56 in the end wall plate 7 partly out of the housing, as shown
During the manual closing or shutting of the compartment door 2 the ram element 53 is moved either by the compartment door itself or—as shown in
In addition, a second detecting means 57 can be designed for detecting the respective position of the detent pawl 14, in particular for detecting at least one end position of the armature 21 of the first electromagnet 18. Said second detecting means 57 can be activated by the second lever arm 58 of the balance element 24, as shown in
Furthermore, the position of the blocking element 33 or the position of the second electric drive element 47, in particular the position of the armature 50 of the second electromagnet 48 can be detected by a third detecting means 59. In this case the third detecting means 59 can be actuvated by the blocking element 33, as shown in
The detecting means 51, 57, 59 are preferably formed by electric switching elements, in particular by closing and/or opening contacts. The respective detecting signals or switching states of the detecting means 51, 57, 59 can be transmitted via an electric plug connection 60 to a not shown control or evaluation device.
It is advantageous, if the at least one compartment door 2, 2′, 2″ can be locked by means of at least one lock 1, 1′, 1″ according to the invention only if there is a power supply to the control device 64 and the control device 64 functions correctly and according to plan.
Furthermore, the control device 64 can be designed such that the at least one compartment door 2, 2′, 2″ can only be locked by means of the at least one lock 1, l′, 1″ if a person has the right or authorisation to use it or only when an authorised person makes a request to the control device 64.
In principle, an automatic storage machine 61 can comprise storage compartments 62, 62′, 62″ of variable size and dimensions with respect to their height, width and depth. Likewise, the arrangement of such structurally differently designed storage compartments 62, 62′, 62″ inside the compartment arrangement 63 of the automatic storage machines 61 can be selected freely.
Often for ergonomic reasons larger storage compartments 62′, 62″ are arranged in the lower section of an automatic storage machine 61. In particular, with such storage compartments 61′, 62″, because of their position in the compartment arrangement (63) or because of their compartment size, it is not possible to exclude the fact that a child may become locked inside. Therefore, the installation of locks 1, 1′, 1″ according to the invention in such storage compartments 61′, 61″ is particularly advantageous. For storage compartments 62, which because of their position or compartment size would prevent a child getting locked inside, a lock can also be used in principle which does not comprise a security device according to the invention.
Lastly, in storage compartments 62′ with a particularly large height 65, the installation of more than one lock 1, 1′ may be expedient, in order to secure the corresponding compartment door 2′ sufficiently over the whole compartment height 65 from being opened by force. For this purpose the locks 1, 1′ can be arranged spaced apart from one another in the direction of the compartment height 65 of the storage compartment 62′. A measure of this kind can be used in practice for example from a compartment height 65 that is equal to or more than 50 cm.
The example embodiments show possible embodiment variants of the lock 1 or the automatic storage machine 61, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not restricted to the embodiment variants shown in particular, but rather various different combinations of the individual embodiment variants are also possible and this variability, due to the teaching on technical procedure, lies within the ability of a person skilled in the art in this technical field. Thus all conceivable embodiment variants, which are made possible by combining individual details of the embodiment variants shown and described, are also covered by the scope of protection.
Finally, as a point of formality, it should be noted that for a better understanding of the structure of the lock 1 and the automatic storage machine 61 the latter and its components have not been represented true to scale in part and/or have been enlarged and/or reduced in size.
The underlying problem addressed by the independent solutions according to the invention can be taken from the description.
Mainly the individual embodiments shown in
Furthermore, individual features or combinations of features of the shown and described different example embodiments can form in themselves independent solutions according to the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2013 104 495 | May 2013 | DE | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AT2014/050101 | 4/23/2014 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2014/176619 | 11/6/2014 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3312491 | Peters | Apr 1967 | A |
| 6378920 | Ostrowski et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
| 8328299 | Hashemi | Dec 2012 | B2 |
| 8720959 | Wittke | May 2014 | B2 |
| 20090235767 | Garneau | Sep 2009 | A1 |
| 20090236865 | Dziurdzia | Sep 2009 | A1 |
| 20100139338 | Wintersteiger | Jun 2010 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 23 03 226 | Aug 1974 | DE |
| 2 176 477 | Jul 2011 | EP |
| Entry |
|---|
| International Search Report of PCT/AT2014/050101, dated Oct. 1, 2014. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20160160535 A1 | Jun 2016 | US |
