The invention relates to a wirelessly controlled electric lock, comprising a lock body, a key cylinder, a turn spindle rotatable by a handle element internal of the door, the turning of which enables opening of the lock, an opening spindle rotatable by an opening element external of the door, a drive link mechanism enabling the turn spindle and the opening spindle to be coupled with each other for a drive link engagement, such that turning of the opening spindle translates also into a turning motion of the turn spindle, and electrically controlled coupling elements.
In commonly employed electric locks, the electrically controlled actuators receive operating power for themselves in a wired manner, because the power consumption is of such a magnitude that working in a battery-operated version is out of the question. When the power supply is arranged in a wired manner, the same cable is also adapted for a data communication link between an access control device and the lock.
The patent publication SE 529017 C2 discloses an electric lock of the above-mentioned type, wherein the objective is to replace conventional electric locks (so-called motor locks) with a solution in which the lock opening force is transmitted manually and the lock is passed to an opening position by means of solenoid-operated levers as the solenoid receives a current. However, the solenoid also has a power consumption of such a magnitude that the excessively frequent need to replace batteries makes this lock impractical. Also, this mains-current operated accessory is not practical for reasons relating to installation engineering.
Nevertheless, there would be a demand for such electric locks whose power consumption is sufficiently low for enabling in a battery-operated version to last for very long times, even several years, without a battery replacement.
In order to achieve this objective, it is an insight in the invention that the opening function must be based on the disablement of a bolt or plunger movement implemented by an electrically controlled actuator, as a result of which the energy consumption is extremely slight. Hence, the object of the invention is achieved on the basis of the characterizing features presented in the appended claim 1.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said disablement of a bolt or plunger movement is implemented by a piezoelectric actuator.
Because the electric lock of the invention does not need a wired supply of power from outside, it is convenient that the electric control output device is in the form of an access control device, which controls electric locks in several doors by means of short range signals. Such an arrangement provides for a major saving in costs with respect to available electric lock systems, which have an individual access control device for each door.
Still another advantage is achieved by the invention, based on the implementation that the electric lock includes a reception and control unit provided with a transmitter which is adapted to send a message to an access control device in case of unauthorized opening of the door without an opening command from the access control device. Thus, there is a two-way communication link between an electric lock of the invention and an access control device and the electric lock of the invention functions as a security lock, supplying an alarm system with a message about an unauthorized opening of the door. The electric lock of the invention receives a message about opening of the door, for example by means of a magnetic switch.
One exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
By means of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, a conventional lock can be converted from a key-operated lock into an electrically operated lock while retaining the key-operated opening function. Naturally, the lock according to the invention can also be implemented as a new type of construction, which is not openable with a key and in which the fittings of a housing 6 are constructed as parts connected with an actual lock body 2a.
The lock, in which the invention is applied, includes a turn spindle 3 driven by a handle element such as handle knob 3a, the handle knob 3a being located inside a door 1. Outside the door 1 is a key cylinder 2b normally used for opening the door. The key cylinder 2b is circular in cross-section.
In the illustrated embodiment, an opening element 5 external of the door is an annular finger wheel fitted around the key cylinder 2b. The opening element 5 is designed for rotation around the key cylinder 2b. The opening element 5 has the internal surface of its circular wall provided with an internal serration 5a. The opening element 5 is locked in a fixed position in the direction of its rotation axis by means of a ring lock 7.
A gear 4b present at a first end 4a of an elongated opening spindle 4 is set in the engagement with the serration 5a of the opening element 5 whereby, when the opening element 5 is rotated, the gear 4b and the opening spindle 4 are rotating. The opening spindle has its second end 4c adapted to extend into the interior of a housing 6 mounted internally of the door. The opening spindle has its end 4c provided with a gear 41, which is part of a drive link mechanism 41, 20, 21, 22 that enables coupling the turn spindle 3 and the opening spindle 4 with each other for a drive link engagement, such that rotation of the opening spindle 4 translates into a rotation motion of the turn spindle 3 as well. This drive link mechanism includes an axially displaceable gear 21, which is mounted on an axle 23 present as an extension of the turn spindle 3 and which, by way of an elongated transmission gear 20, is meshed with the gear 41 in all its displacement positions. A result of this is that, as the finger wheel 5 is rotated, the gears 41, 20 and 21 are always rotating. However, this rotary motion does not translate into rotation of the spindle 3 until the gear 21 is forced to move axially into contact with a coupling plate 22, such that spring protrusions 26 of the coupling plate 22 are pressed into recesses or between bosses present at a surface of the gear 21, resulting in a joint rotation of the gear 21 and the coupling plate 22. The coupling plate 22 is fixed on the axle of the turn spindle 3.
In order to create said drive link engagement, the invention provides electrically controlled coupling elements 10, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, which are described in more detail hereinafter. These coupling elements include also the above-discussed gear 21 and the coupling plate 22.
As depicted particularly in
When the piezoelectric actuator 10 receives electrical control for opening a door, the bolt or plunger 10a clamps in place or its return motion is only allowed over a very short distance, resulting, upon rotating the finger wheel 5, in the condition shown in
The piezoelectric actuators 10 are commercially available, but have not been earlier applied in the way presented in this invention. Also other corresponding low energy actuators can be used.
Attained by the invention is also an automatic alarm function for unauthorized opening of a door. For this purpose, the electric lock includes an electric control reception and control unit 12, which is provided with a transmitter that sends a message to the access control device 31 in case of unauthorized opening of a door without an opening command from the access control device 31. Verification of an opening door can be carried out by a conventional magnetic detector. When the unit 12 receives a message from the magnetic detector, but has not received an opening code from the access control device 31, the message about unauthorized opening is transmitted to an alarm system. In
In the present case, the drive link mechanism 41, 20, 21, 22 and the electrically controlled coupling elements 10, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26 are accommodated in a housing 6, which is located inside the door 1, i.e. on a side of the lock body 2a opposite to the key cylinder 2b. The opening spindle 4 extends through the door and can be for example a pliable wire cable.
Although the invention has been described in terms of an accessory for a conventional lock, it is obvious that the respective functions can also be provided in a newly designed lock for connection with the lock body 2a. Also, the finger wheel 5 can be any opening element such as a door handle.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
20095004 | Jan 2009 | FI | national |
20095298 | Mar 2009 | FI | national |
20095694 | Jun 2009 | FI | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/FI2009/051046 | 12/29/2009 | WO | 00 | 7/5/2011 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2010/076390 | 7/8/2010 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4148092 | Martin | Apr 1979 | A |
4802353 | Corder et al. | Feb 1989 | A |
5437174 | Aydin | Aug 1995 | A |
5473236 | Frolov | Dec 1995 | A |
5544507 | Lin | Aug 1996 | A |
5640863 | Frolov | Jun 1997 | A |
5775142 | Kim | Jul 1998 | A |
5946955 | Suggs et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5987945 | Ruano Aramburu | Nov 1999 | A |
6286347 | Frolov | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6334636 | Huang et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6581426 | Bates et al. | Jun 2003 | B2 |
6584818 | Bates et al. | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6585302 | Lin | Jul 2003 | B2 |
6612141 | Bates et al. | Sep 2003 | B2 |
6725693 | Yu et al. | Apr 2004 | B2 |
6758070 | Yu et al. | Jul 2004 | B2 |
6918276 | Van Parys | Jul 2005 | B2 |
6935149 | Peng et al. | Aug 2005 | B1 |
7007526 | Frolov et al. | Mar 2006 | B2 |
7188495 | Errani et al. | Mar 2007 | B2 |
7222508 | Dickhans et al. | May 2007 | B2 |
7231791 | Sakai | Jun 2007 | B2 |
7373795 | Kilbourne | May 2008 | B2 |
7516633 | Chang | Apr 2009 | B1 |
7872577 | Frolov | Jan 2011 | B2 |
8001818 | Imedio Ocana et al. | Aug 2011 | B2 |
8079240 | Brown et al. | Dec 2011 | B2 |
8141400 | Sorensen et al. | Mar 2012 | B2 |
8176761 | Sorensen et al. | May 2012 | B2 |
20010005998 | Imedio Ocana | Jul 2001 | A1 |
20060150694 | Frolov et al. | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20070051145 | Chang | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20090173120 | Lin et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20100089109 | Bliding et al. | Apr 2010 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
93 18 001.2 | Mar 1995 | DE |
44 38 472 | Jun 1995 | DE |
2007-239260 | Sep 2007 | JP |
529 017 | Apr 2007 | SE |
2004048722 | Jun 2004 | WO |
2004077473 | Sep 2004 | WO |
2007049040 | May 2007 | WO |
Entry |
---|
Examination Report dated Jan. 5, 2012 for Finnish priority Application No. 20095694. |
Espacenet English abstract of SE 529 017 C2. |
Espacenet English abstract of JP 2007-239260 A. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20110265527 A1 | Nov 2011 | US |