Patent Application
20210062545
The present disclosure generally relates to a release mechanism. In particular, a release mechanism for an energy harvesting arrangement for an electronic locking system, an energy harvesting arrangement comprising the release mechanism, and an electronic locking system comprising the release mechanism or the energy harvesting arrangement, are provided.
Various types of electronic locking systems are known, such as digital door locks (DDL). Instead of utilizing a purely mechanical lock, some locking systems include an electronic drive of a lock member (e.g. a lock bolt) to unlock, for example, a door to give access to the area behind the door.
Furthermore, instead of utilizing a traditional key to unlock the door, various types of electronic communication methods for authorizing a person to access the area behind the door are known. For example, a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system may be used where a reader of the RFID system is installed in the door and a tag is carried by or attached to an object to be identified.
In order to power an electronic locking system, so called “self-powered” electronic locking systems have been proposed, where electricity is generated by a mechanical actuation of a door handle and is used to power the electronic locking system. This concept is also known as energy harvesting. The use of kinetic energy harvesting can replace, or prolong the lifetime of, batteries in electronic locking systems.
US 2012111072 A1 discloses an electromechanical lock including a power transmission mechanism to receive mechanical power produced by a user of the lock; a generator to produce electric power from the mechanical power; an electronic circuit, powered by the electric power, coupleable with a key, to read data from the key, and to issue an open command provided that the data matches a predetermined criterion; an actuator, powered by the electric power, to receive the open command, and to set the lock in a mechanically openable state; and a threshold device to control the power transmission mechanism so that a mechanical tension rises until a predetermined force threshold is exceeded, whereupon the mechanical tension transforms to an action producing the mechanical power received by the power transmission mechanism.
Prior art energy harvesting arrangements for electronic locking systems are often complex and cause wear and tear of the components involved. Many prior art energy harvesting arrangements are also noisy.
In US 2012111072 A1, the mechanical tension in the power transmission mechanism transforms to an action when exceeding a predetermined force threshold. This type of release requires a relatively high extra force in the release point. This may cause the handle movement to feel odd and/or low quality to the user. Many prior art energy harvesting arrangements also have an inconsistent energy level for release.
One object of the present disclosure is to provide a position controlled release mechanism for an energy harvesting arrangement for an electronic locking system.
A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a release mechanism which requires a low amount of extra force to be released.
A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a release mechanism that is more silent.
A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a release mechanism that has a simple design, e.g. that requires fewer components.
A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a release mechanism that has high efficiency, such as low friction losses.
A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a release mechanism that is durable, e.g. with low sensitivity to wear and tear.
A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a release mechanism that is cheap.
A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a release mechanism that provides a reliable and consistent feedback in a handle or key over time.
A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a release mechanism that provides an improved user experience.
A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a release mechanism solving several or all of the foregoing objects.
A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide an energy harvesting system comprising a release mechanism, which energy harvesting system solves one, several or all of the foregoing objects.
A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic locking system comprising a release mechanism, which electronic locking system solves one, several or all of the foregoing objects.
According to one aspect, there is provided a release mechanism for an energy harvesting arrangement for an electronic locking system, the release mechanism comprising a drive device for driving an electromagnetic generator, the drive device comprising a substantially planar, or planar, drive device surface; a harvesting elastic element arranged to force the drive device towards a starting position, and arranged to store mechanical energy from displacement of the drive device from the starting position along a harvesting path; at least one magnet; an input device, the input device being movable along the harvesting path, and comprising a substantially planar, or planar, input device surface arranged to mate with the drive device surface to establish a mating interface; and an engaging profile arranged offset with respect to the mating interface; wherein the input device is arranged to engage the drive device by means of a magnetic force, generated by the magnet and acting between the drive device surface and the input device surface, such that the drive device can be displaced from the starting position by movement of the input device along the harvesting path; and wherein the engaging profile is arranged to engage the drive device at an engaging position of the drive device, such that further movement of the input device along the harvesting path causes a relative inclination between the drive device surface and the input device surface.
By relatively inclining or tilting the drive device surface and the input device surface, an inclined load is established at the mating interface. The air gap that arises between the drive device surface and the input device surface causes the magnetic force to rapidly decrease as the input device is moved further along the harvesting path. This collapse of the magnetic force causes the drive device to be released.
Since further movement of the input device along the harvesting path when the drive device is engaged by the engaging profile causes a relative inclination between the drive device surface and the input device surface, the amount of extra force required for the release is substantially reduced. The amount of friction to be overcome for the release is also substantially lower than in prior art solutions. As a consequence, the efficiency of the release mechanism is increased, the wear and tear of the release mechanism is reduced, and the user experience is improved.
Furthermore, the rapid collapse of the magnetic force when the drive device surface and the input device surface start to tilt relative to each other results in a release of the drive device at a defined position of the input device along the harvesting path. In other words, the release is position controlled in contrast to, for example, the power transmission mechanism in US 2012111072 A1 which is based on a threshold force. Due to this position controlled release, variations of the strength of the magnetic field due to, for example, temperature or production parameter spread will not affect the function of the release mechanism.
Furthermore, the position-based release of the release mechanism according to the present disclosure is more consistent over time in comparison with prior art force-based release mechanisms. The magnet-based release mechanism according to the present disclosure is also more silent and less exposed to wear and tear.
Furthermore, since the drive device is always released when the input device moves further after engagement between the drive device and the engaging profile, the release mechanism includes an intrinsic damage protection, i.e. a limitation of the maximum force that can be applied on the drive device.
Throughout the present disclosure, the input device may be arranged to receive power produced by a user, such as a user of an electronic locking system comprising the energy harvesting system which in turn comprises the release mechanism.
The drive device may be arranged to drive a rotor of the electromagnetic generator, either directly, or indirectly. The rotor may be constituted by a driven wheel, such as a driven gear wheel or a driven friction wheel.
The harvesting elastic element may store mechanical energy from displacement of the drive device from the starting position along the harvesting path either by compression or by expansion. The harvesting elastic element may be preloaded when the drive device is in the starting position.
The harvesting elastic element may for example be constituted by a spring, such as a coil spring. Alternative harvesting elastic elements are possible, including for example a piece of elastic material. The harvesting elastic element may alternatively be referred to as an elastic element.
The magnet may be a permanent magnet. The magnet may comprise, or be constituted by, Neodynium, a Neodymium alloy such as a Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB), or other material having a relatively high intrinsic coercivity. The release mechanism according to the present disclosure may comprise one or several magnets.
The input device may be said to be arranged on a primary side of the release mechanism and the drive device may be said to be arranged on a secondary side of the release mechanism. Thus, throughout the present disclosure, the input device may alternatively be referred to as a primary device and/or the drive device may alternatively be referred to as a secondary device.
The release mechanism may comprise a hinge arranged to support the relative inclination between the drive device surface and the input device surface. A leverage can thereby be obtained by means of the hinge and the engaging profile. The leverage makes it possible to dynamically control the release mechanism.
The hinge may be provided in the drive device and support inclination of the drive device surface. Alternatively, the hinge may be provided in the input device and support inclination of the input device surface. Alternatives to a hinge are possible, including for example the provision of one or more elastic elements in the drive device and/or in the input device for enabling a relative inclination between the drive device surface and the input device surface.
The hinge may be substantially centered, or centered, with respect to the magnet when the planar input device surface and the drive device surface mate.
The release mechanism may comprise a plate, wherein the plate comprises the drive device surface or the input device surface. The plate may comprise one or more materials responsive to magnetic fields. The plate may for example be a steel plate, or may comprise steel.
According to one variant, the drive device comprises the plate, optionally supported by means of a hinge. In this case, the input device may comprise the magnet. According to an alternative variant, the input device comprises the plate, optionally supported by means of a hinge. In this case the drive device may comprise the magnet.
The magnetic force may be 10% to 30% larger than the force from the harvesting elastic element when the drive device is in the engaging position. Thereby, it can be ensured that the drive device is not released immediately when coming in contact with the engaging profile in the engaging position.
The input device may be arranged to engage the drive device by means of an attractive magnetic force. It is however alternatively possible to base the release mechanism according to the present disclosure on a repelling magnetic force, i.e. such that the input device is arranged to engage the drive device by means of a repelling magnetic force.
The mating interface may be substantially perpendicular, or perpendicular, to the harvesting path. The mating interface may be constituted by the area of contact between the drive device surface and the input device surface.
The harvesting path may be substantially linear, or linear. Alternatively, the harvesting path may be substantially circular, or circular.
According to a further aspect, there is provided an energy harvesting arrangement comprising a release mechanism according to the present disclosure. The energy harvesting arrangement may comprise the electromagnetic generator drivable by the drive device. The electromagnetic generator may be arranged to produce electric power from the mechanical power input by a user to the input device. A standard electromagnetic generator may be used in the energy harvesting arrangement. The drive device may drive the electromagnetic generator directly or indirectly. The energy harvesting arrangement may comprise a transmission, such as a gear train, between the drive device and the electromagnetic generator. This may be suitable for smaller electromagnetic generators.
The drive device may be arranged to not engage the rotor of the electromagnetic generator when the drive device adopts the starting position and such that the drive device starts to engage the rotor when the drive device is displaced along the harvesting path from the starting position. Thereby, the electromagnetic generator does not need to comprise a freewheel. Furthermore, the rotor of the electromagnetic generator is allowed to spin freely after release and when the drive device has returned to the starting position, e.g. functionally “beyond” the rotor. In case the drive device and the rotor comprise teeth, the rotor and/or the drive device may be resiliently supported to assist in initiation of meshing of the teeth.
The energy harvesting arrangement may be used in various types of electronic locking systems, e.g. various door opening solutions. The energy harvesting arrangement may comprise a transmission, such as a gear transmission, to transmit a manual movement (e.g. handle movement, door movement, or key movement) to a movement of the input device along the harvesting path.
The energy harvesting arrangement may further comprise a handle operatively coupled to the input device. Thereby, manual actuation of the handle can be used to drive the input device of the release mechanism. In this case, the energy harvesting arrangement may comprise a transmission, e.g. a gear train, to transmit a rotation of the handle to a movement of the input device. The gear train may be arranged to transmit a rotation of the handle, e.g. of 40° to 45°, to a movement (either linear or rotational) of the input device beyond the releasing position.
Alternatively, the energy harvesting arrangement may further comprise an access member hinge operatively coupled to the input device. The access member hinge may be arranged to support an access member relative to a frame. Thereby, an opening or closing movement of the access member can be used to drive the input device of the release mechanism.
Alternatively, the input device may be arranged to be actuated by means of a key. For example, the input device may be pushed to move along the harvesting path by insertion of the key. According to one variant, the input device is arranged to be directly contacted by the key.
Further non-limiting application examples of the energy harvesting arrangements according to the present disclosure include door closers and windows.
According to a further aspect, there is provided an electronic locking system comprising a release mechanism according to the present disclosure, or an energy harvesting arrangement according to the present disclosure.
Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:
In the following, a release mechanism for an energy harvesting arrangement for an electronic locking system, an energy harvesting arrangement comprising the release mechanism, and an electronic locking system comprising the release mechanism or the energy harvesting arrangement, will be described. The same reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.
With reference to
The drive device 18 of this example comprises a drive member 20, a hinge 22 and a plate 24, here constituted by a steel plate. The plate 24 is rotationally coupled to the drive member 20 by means of the hinge 22. The drive device 18 further comprises a planar drive device surface 26, in this example constituted by a surface of the plate 24 (facing to the right in
The drive device 18 of this example further comprises a stop portion 28, here implemented as a projection on the drive member 20. The drive device 18 further comprises drive device teeth (not denoted), here implemented on the drive member 20.
The release mechanism 12 further comprises a harvesting elastic element 30, here implemented as a coil spring. The harvesting elastic element 30 is connected to the drive device 18, in this example to the drive member 20, and to a stationary structure of the energy harvesting arrangement 10. The stationary structure is stationary in relation to the energy harvesting arrangement 10, but may be movable in space.
The harvesting elastic element 30 is arranged to force the drive device 18 towards a starting position 32 according to
The release mechanism 12 further comprises a magnet 36 and an input device 38. In this example, the input device 38 comprises the magnet 36 and an input member 40 to which the magnet 36 is rigidly connected. The input device 38 comprises a planar input device surface 42, here constituted by a surface of the magnet 36 (facing to the left in
The energy harvesting arrangement 10 of the example in
In
As can be gathered from
The energy harvesting arrangement 10 of the example in
The electromagnetic generator 16 comprises a rotor, here implemented as a driven gear wheel 54, rotatable about a rotor rotational axis 56. The drive device teeth of the drive member 20 are arranged to engage the teeth of the driven gear wheel 54 and rotate the driven gear wheel 54 by means of a linear movement of the drive device 18. However, in
In
With reference to
Since the input device 38 engages the drive device 18 by means of a magnetic force, generated by the magnet 36 of the input device 38 and acting on the plate 24 of the drive device 18, the drive device 18 is displaced from the starting position 32 by the movement of the input device 38 along the harvesting path 58. As the drive device 18 is displaced from the starting position 32 along the harvesting path 58, mechanical energy is stored in the harvesting elastic element 30. That is, the harvesting elastic element 30 is tensioned more (or starts to be tensioned in case the harvesting elastic element 30 is not preloaded in the starting position 32).
During this outbound movement of the drive device 18, the drive device 18 also starts to engage the rotor of the electromagnetic generator 16, which thereby rotates slowly, as indicated in
During the outbound movement of the input device 38 and the drive device 18 along the harvesting path 58, the holding force between the input device 38 and the drive device 18 is entirely magnetic. In the position of the drive device 18 in
The magnet 36 is sensitive to air gaps. Thus, due to the relative inclination, the magnetic force is rapidly reduced and the release mechanism 12 is released, i.e. the harvesting elastic element 30 pulls the drive device 18 rapidly in a return movement along the harvesting path 58 to the starting position 32 as illustrated in
Due to the release of the release mechanism 12 by means of a relative inclination between the drive device surface 26 and the input device surface 42, the force required for release is reduced. The release of the drive device 18 due to a rapidly decreasing magnetic force in this way is also relatively silent.
After release, a return spring in the handle 14 will return the handle 14 and the input device 38 to a starting position and a new energy harvesting cycle may be repeated.
In the example in
The input device 38 comprises an input member 40, here constituted by a sector shaped member, pivotally arranged about the rotational axis 62. The input device 38 further comprises an input device extension 66 protruding from the input member 40. The magnet 36 is rigidly connected to the end of the input device extension 66.
The transmission 44 is also in this example constituted by a gear train, but comprises a further gear wheel 68 between the third gear wheel 48 and the fourth gear wheel 50.
In the starting position 32 of the drive device 18 in
By manually rotating the handle 14, as shown in
At the engaging position 60 of the drive device 18 of
After release, a return spring in the handle 14 will return the handle 14 and the input device 38 to a starting position and a new energy harvesting cycle may be repeated.
Instead of being coupled to a handle 14 by means of a transmission 44 according to
The access member hinge 72 in
Access to a physical space 82 is restricted by a movable access member 84 which is selectively unlockable. The movable access member 84 is positioned between the restricted physical space 82 and an accessible physical space 86. Note that the accessible physical space 86 can be a restricted physical space in itself, but in relation to the access member 84, the accessible physical space 86 is accessible. The movable access member 84 can be a door, gate, hatch, cabinet door, drawer, window, etc.
The electronic access control device 80 is arranged to unlock the access member 84. The access control device 80 is connected to a physical lock 88, which is controllable by the access control device 80 to be set in an unlocked state or locked state.
The access control device 80 communicates with a portable key device 90 over a wireless interface 92 using a plurality of antennas 94a-b. The portable key device 90 is any suitable device portable by a user and which can be used for authentication over the wireless interface 92. The portable key device 90 is typically carried or worn by the user and may be implemented as a mobile phone, smartphone, key fob, wearable device, smart phone case, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) card, etc. In
When the access control procedure results in granted access, the access control device 80 sends an unlock signal to the lock 88, whereby the lock 88 is set in an unlocked state. In this embodiment, this can e.g. imply a signal over a wire-based communication, e.g. using a serial interface (e.g. RS485, RS232), Universal Serial Bus (USB), Ethernet, or even a simple electric connection (e.g. to the lock 88), or alternatively using a wireless interface.
When the lock 88 is in an unlocked state, the access member 84 can be opened and when the lock 88 is in a locked state, the access member 84 cannot be opened. In this way, access to a restricted physical space 82 can be controlled by the access control device 80.
While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above. For example, it will be appreciated that the dimensions of the parts may be varied as needed.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18163507.9 | Mar 2018 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2019/056912 | 3/20/2019 | WO | 00 |
