ARRANGEMENT FOR LOCK DEVICE, LOCK DEVICE COMPRISING ARRANGEMENT, AND METHOD

Abstract

An arrangement (10, 82) for locking and unlocking a lock device (58, 74), the arrangement (10, 82) comprising a transfer element (12) movable between a protruded position (42) and a retracted position (56); a core member (14) of soft magnetic material, the core member (14) comprising a coil section (20); an electric coil (16) wound around the coil section (20); and a blocking member (48) comprising a magnet (18), the blocking member (48) being movable between a blocking position (50), in which the magnet (18) establishes a magnetic circuit through the coil section (20) and the blocking member (48) blocks movement of the transfer element (12) to the retracted position (56), and an unblocking position (54), in which the magnet (18) establishes a magnetic circuit through the coil section (20) and the blocking member (48) unblocks movement of the transfer element (12) to the retracted position (56). A lock device (58, 74) comprising an arrangement (10, 82), and a method of controlling a lock device (58, 74), are also provided.

Claims

1. An arrangement for locking and unlocking a lock device, the arrangement comprising: a transfer element movable between a protruded position and a retracted position; a core member of soft magnetic material, the core member comprising a coil section; an electric coil wound around the coil section; and a blocking member comprising a magnet, the blocking member being movable between a blocking position, in which the magnet establishes a magnetic circuit through the coil section and the blocking member blocks movement of the transfer element to the retracted position, and an unblocking position, in which the magnet establishes a magnetic circuit through the coil section and the blocking member unblocks movement of the transfer element to the retracted position.

2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member is constituted by the magnet.

3. The arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a forcing device arranged to force the transfer element towards the protruded position.

4. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the blocking member is rotatable between the blocking position and the unblocking position about a rotation axis.

5. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the core member comprises two arms.

6. The arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the rotation axis is substantially centered between the arms.

7. The arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the magnet is in contact with each arm in each of the blocking position and the unblocking position.

8. The arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a base, wherein the transfer element is movable relative to the base, and wherein the blocking member is positioned between the transfer element and the base when the transfer element adopts the protruded position and the blocking member adopts the blocking position.

9. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the magnet has a substantially straight elongated shape.

10. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the magnet is a permanent magnet.

11. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the transfer element comprises a sloped surface.

12. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the transfer element is linearly movable between the protruded position and the retracted position along a transfer axis.

13. The arrangement according to claim 12, wherein the transfer axis and the rotation axis are substantially parallel.

14. The arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a control system, the control system comprising at least one data processing device and at least one memory having a computer program stored thereon, the computer program comprising program code which, when executed by the at least one data processing device, causes the at least one data processing device to perform the steps of: evaluating an authorization request; and commanding sending of a current pulse through the coil in response to a granted evaluation of the authorization request.

15. A lock device comprising an arrangement according to claim 1.

16. A method of controlling a lock device, the method comprising: providing a lock device according to claim 15; evaluating an authorization request; and sending a current pulse through the coil in response to a granted evaluation of the authorization request.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

[0043] FIG. 1: schematically represents a first perspective view of an arrangement when a magnet is in a blocking position and a transfer element is in a protruded position;

[0044] FIG. 2: schematically represents a second perspective view of the arrangement in FIG. 1;

[0045] FIG. 3: schematically represents a first perspective view of the arrangement when the magnet has moved to an unblocking position;

[0046] FIG. 4: schematically represents a second perspective view of the arrangement in FIG. 3;

[0047] FIG. 5: schematically represents a first perspective view of the arrangement when the transfer element has moved to a retracted position;

[0048] FIG. 6: schematically represents a second perspective view of the arrangement in FIG. 5;

[0049] FIG. 7: schematically represents a side view of a lock device comprising the arrangement when the magnet is in the blocking position and the transfer element is in the protruded position;

[0050] FIG. 8: schematically represents a side view of the lock device when the magnet is in the unblocking position;

[0051] FIG. 9: schematically represents a side view of the lock device when the transfer element is in the retracted position and when an input member is manually actuated;

[0052] FIG. 10: schematically represents a side view of a front view of a further lock device comprising the arrangement when the magnet is in the unblocking position and the transfer element is in the protruded position;

[0053] FIG. 11: schematically represents a side view of the lock device in FIG. 10 when the transfer element is in the retracted position;

[0054] FIG. 12: schematically represents a side view of the lock device in FIGS. 10 and 11 when the magnet is in the blocking position;

[0055] FIG. 13: schematically represents a side view of the lock device in FIGS. 10-12 when an input member is manually actuated;

[0056] FIG. 14: schematically represents a partial top view of a further arrangement when a magnet is in a blocking position;

[0057] FIG. 15: schematically represents a top view of the arrangement in FIG. 14 when a transfer element is in a protruded position;

[0058] FIG. 16: schematically represents a partial top view of the arrangement in FIGS. 14 and 15 when the magnet is in an unblocking position; and

[0059] FIG. 17: schematically represents a top view of the arrangement in FIGS. 14-16 when the transfer element is in a retracted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] In the following, an arrangement for locking and unlocking a lock device, which arrangement comprises a magnet movable between a blocking position and an unblocking position, a lock device comprising an arrangement, and a method of controlling a lock device, will be described. The same or similar reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

[0061] FIG. 1 schematically represents a first perspective view of an arrangement 10 for a lock device, and FIG. 2 schematically represents a second perspective view of the arrangement 10 in FIG. 1. With collective reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the arrangement 10 comprises a transfer element 12, a core member 14, an electric coil 16 and a magnet 18.

[0062] The core member 14 comprises a coil section 20. The coil 16 is wound around the coil section 20. The coil 16 and the core member 14 thereby form an electromagnet. The number of windings of the coil 16 may vary. The coil 16 may comprise copper wirings. The core member 14 of this example further comprises a first arm 22 and a second arm 24. The first arm 22 ends with a first finger 26 and the second arm 24 ends with a second finger 28. The first finger 26 and the second finger 28 are aligned and face towards each other.

[0063] The coil section 20 is elongated and arranged between the arms 22, 24. Each of the arms 22, 24 extends perpendicular to the coil section 20. The core member 14 of this example is thereby generally U-shaped. The core member 14 is made of iron.

[0064] The arrangement 10 of this example further comprises a support section 30. The support section 3o comprises a base 32.

[0065] The arrangement 10 of this example further comprises a spring 34, here exemplified as a coil spring. The spring 34 is one example of a forcing device according to the present disclosure. The spring 34 is arranged between the transfer element 12 and the base 32.

[0066] The arrangement 10 further comprises a control system 36. The control system 36 comprises a data processing device 38 and a memory 40. The memory 40 has a computer program stored thereon. The computer program comprises program code which, when executed by the data processing device 38, causes the data processing device 38 to evaluate an authorization request, and command sending of a current pulse through the coil 16 in response to a granted evaluation of the authorization request. The computer program further comprises program code, which when executed by the data processing device 38, causes the data processing device 38 to perform, or command performance of, various steps as described herein.

[0067] The control system 36 is configured to apply current pulses to the coil 16 such that magnetic fields are generated. To this end, the control system 36 may comprise a power controller (not shown), e.g. having switches, a pulse control transistor and a flyback diode for protecting the pulse control transistor. The power controller may be connected to a charged capacitor optimized for the specific pulse to the coil 16.

[0068] The transfer element 12 is movable between a protruded position 42 and a retracted position. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the transfer element 12 is in the protruded position 42. In this example, the transfer element 12 is linearly movable between the protruded position 42 and the retracted position along a transfer axis 44 and relative to the support section 30. The transfer axis 44 of this example is vertically oriented. The transfer element 12 of this example is a rigid member.

[0069] The transfer element 12 of this example comprises two sloped surfaces 46. In the protruded position 42, each sloped surface 46 protrudes with respect to the support section 30. In this example, each sloped surface 46 is angled 45 degrees relative to the transfer axis 44. That is, one sloped surface 46 is angled +45 degrees relative to the transfer axis 44 and one sloped surface 46 is angled −45 degrees relative to the transfer axis 44.

[0070] In this example, the magnet 18 constitutes a blocking member 48. Thus, the magnet 18 and the blocking member 48 are the same component. In some alternative embodiments, the blocking member 48 may comprises one or more components in addition to the magnet 18, such as a shell enclosing the magnet 18. The magnet 18 is here a permanent magnet.

[0071] The arrangement 10 may be arranged in a steel housing (not shown) in order to protect the magnet 18 from an external magnetic field. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the arrangement 10 has a compact design.

[0072] The magnet 18 is movable between a blocking position 5o and an unblocking position. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the magnet 18 is in the blocking position 50. In the blocking position 50, the magnet 18 is positioned between the transfer element 12 and the base 32. The magnet 18 thereby blocks the transfer element 12 from moving to the retracted position. A small gap (not denoted) is provided between the transfer element 12 and the magnet 18, and between the magnet 18 and the base 32.

[0073] Since the magnet 18 is in contact with each of the arms 22, 24 in the blocking position 50, a closed magnetic circuit is established through the magnet 18, through the first arm 22, through the coil section 20, through the second arm 24 and back to the magnet 18. The magnet 18 is thereby stably held in the blocking position 5o due to the magnetic field generated by the magnet 18. No power supply is required to hold the magnet 18 in the blocking position 50.

[0074] In this example, the magnet 18 is rotatable between the blocking position 50 and the unblocking position about a rotation axis 52. The rotation axis 52 and the transfer axis 44 are parallel. The magnet 18 of this example thus lies in a horizontal plane. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first finger 26, the second finger 28 and the rotation axis 52 lie in a common plane.

[0075] The magnet 18 of this example is straight and elongated. More specifically, the magnet 18 has a rectangular cuboid shape and a polarization direction parallel with a longitudinal axis of the magnet 18. The rotation axis 52 coincides with a geometric center and a center of mass of the magnet 18. Moreover, the rotation axis 52 is centered between the arms 22, 24, here centered between the respective fingers 26, 28. In the blocking position 50, the magnet 18 is in contact with each arm 22, 24. More specifically, a north pole “N” of the magnet 18 is in contact with the first finger 26 and a south pole “S” of the magnet 18 is in contact with the second finger 28.

[0076] FIG. 3 schematically represents a first perspective view of the arrangement 10 when the magnet 18 has moved to the unblocking position 54, and FIG. 4 schematically represents a second perspective view of the arrangement 10 in FIG. 3. With collective reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, by applying a current pulse to the coil 16 of sufficient duration and level in a first direction, a magnetic field is generated that flips the magnet 18 from the blocking position 5o to the unblocking position 54. More specifically, the current pulse in the first direction through the coil 16 makes the first finger 26 a north pole and the second finger 28 a south pole. The north pole of the core member 14 repels the north pole of the magnet 18 and the south pole of the core member 14 repels the south pole of the magnet 18 causing the magnet 18 to rotate about the rotation axis 52 from the blocking position 5o to the unblocking position 54. The magnet 18 is thereby flipped from the blocking position 5o to the unblocking position 54 with extremely low power consumption.

[0077] In the unblocking position 54, the magnet 18 is no longer positioned between the transfer element 12 and the base 32. The magnet 18 does therefore not block the transfer element 12 from moving to the retracted position. Moreover, since the magnet 18 is in contact with each of the arms 22, 24 also in the unblocking position 54, a closed magnetic circuit is established through the magnet 18, through the second arm 24, through the coil section 20, through the first arm 22 and back to the magnet 18. The magnet 18 is thereby stably held in the unblocking position 54 due to the magnetic field generated by the magnet 18. No power supply is required to hold the magnet 18 in the unblocking position 54.

[0078] In the unblocking position 54, the magnet 18 is in contact with each arm 22, 24. More specifically, the north pole of the magnet 18 is in contact with the second finger 28 and the south pole of the magnet 18 is in contact with the first finger 26. The magnet 18 is thus electromagnetically pivoted between two defined discrete positions constituted by the blocking position 5o and the unblocking position 54.

[0079] In the blocking position 50, the magnet 18 is in contact with a first side of the first finger 26 and in contact with a second side of the second finger 28. In the unblocking position 54, the magnet 18 is in contact with a second side of the first finger 26, opposite to the first side of the first finger 26, and in contact with a first side of the second finger 28, opposite to the second side of the second finger 28.

[0080] FIG. 5 schematically represents a first perspective view of the arrangement 10 when the transfer element 12 has moved to the retracted position 56, and FIG. 6 schematically represents a second perspective view of the arrangement 10 in FIG. 5. With collective reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, when the magnet 18 adopts the unblocking position 54, the transfer element 12 is free to move from the protruded position 42 to the retracted position 56 against deformation of the spring 34.

[0081] The transfer element 12 may then move from the retracted position 56 back to the protruded position 42 by means of the spring 34. By applying a current pulse to the coil 16 of sufficient duration and level in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, a magnetic field is generated that flips the magnet 18 from the unblocking position 54 back to the blocking position 50. More specifically, the current pulse in the second direction through the coil 16 makes the first finger 26 a south pole and the second finger 28 a north pole. The north pole of the core member 14 repels the north pole of the magnet 18 and the south pole of the core member 14 repels the south pole of the magnet 18 causing the magnet 18 to rotate about the rotation axis 52 from the unblocking position 54 back to the blocking position 50.

[0082] FIG. 7 schematically represents a side view of a lock device 58. The lock device 58 comprises the arrangement 10 in FIGS. 1-6. In FIG. 7, the magnet 18 is in the blocking position 5o and the transfer element 12 is in the protruded position 42. The arrangement 10 is thereby in a locked state 60. The transfer element 12 here functions as a blocking element.

[0083] The lock device 58 comprises a handle 62 and a latch bolt 64. The handle 62 is one example of an input member and the latch bolt 64 is one example of an output member according to the present disclosure. In this specific example, the handle 62 is arranged to rotate and the latch bolt 64 is arranged to move linearly.

[0084] The lock device 58 further comprises a transmission 66. The transmission 66 is configured to transmit a movement of the handle 62 to a movement of the latch bolt 64. To this end, the transmission 66 may for example comprise gear wheels and/or a linkage.

[0085] The latch bolt 64 comprises an aperture 68. In the protruded position 42 of the transfer element 12, the transfer element 12 is seated in the aperture 68. The spring 34 forces the transfer element 12 into engagement with the aperture 68. The magnet 18 in the blocking position 5o prevents the transfer element 12 from moving out from the aperture 68. The transfer element 12 thereby blocks movement of the latch bolt 64.

[0086] FIG. 8 schematically represents a side view of the lock device 58 when the magnet 18 is in the unblocking position 54. In FIG. 8, a valid credential has been presented and the control system 36 has thereby sent a current through the coil 16 to flip the magnet 18 from the blocking position 5o to the unblocking position 54. The arrangement 10 is thereby in an unlocked state 70.

[0087] FIG. 9 schematically represents a side view of the lock device 58 when the transfer element 12 is in the retracted position 56 and when the handle 62 is manually actuated. The transfer element 12 thus unblocks movement of the latch bolt 64 when adopting the unblocking position 54.

[0088] In the unblocking position 54 of the transfer element 12 in FIG. 9, a rotation of the handle 62 is transferred to a linear movement of the latch bolt 64 in a displacement direction 72. The displacement direction 72 is perpendicular to the transfer axis 44. The user can thereby turn the handle 62 to retract the latch bolt 64 to open the lock device 58. The movement of the latch bolt 64 in the displacement direction 72 causes the transfer element 12, by means of the sloped surface 46, to be pushed out from the aperture 68 against the force of the spring 34. The transfer element 12 thereby moves from the protruded position 42 to the retracted position 56.

[0089] FIG. 10 schematically represents a side view of a front view of a further lock device 74. Mainly differences with respect to FIGS. 7-9 will be described. Also the lock device 74 comprises the arrangement 10 in FIGS. 1-6. In FIG. 10, the magnet 18 is in the unblocking position 54 and the transfer element 12 is in the protruded position 42. The arrangement 10 in FIG. 10 is in a locked state 60. The transfer element 12 here functions as a coupling element.

[0090] The lock device 74 comprises a knob 76 and a locking member 78. The knob 76 is a further example of an input member and the locking member 78 is a further example of an output member according to the present disclosure. In this specific example, the knob 76 and the locking member 78 are arranged to rotate about a common rotation axis. It should be emphasized that the lock device 74 in FIG. 9 is merely schematically illustrated. In particular, the arrangement 10 may be arranged partly inside the knob 76 or partly inside the locking member 78.

[0091] In FIG. 10, the knob 76 comprises the aperture 68. In the protruded position 42 of the transfer element 12, the transfer element 12 is seated in the aperture 68. The spring 34 forces the transfer element 12 into engagement with the aperture 68. Since the magnet 18 is in the unblocking position 54, the magnet 18 does however not prevent the transfer element 12 from being retracted from the protruded position 42 to the retracted position 56.

[0092] FIG. 11 schematically represents a side view of the lock device 74 in FIG. 10 when the transfer element 12 is in the retracted position 56. Also in FIG. 11, the arrangement 10 is in the locked state 6o. When the knob 76 is rotated in the displacement direction 72, the transfer element 12 is pushed out from the aperture 68 by means of the sloped surface 46 against the force of the spring 34. Since the magnet 18 is in the unblocking position 54, the transfer element 12 moves from the protruded position 42 to the retracted position 56. When the magnet 18 is in the unblocking position 54 in FIG. 11, a rotation of the knob 76 is thereby not transmitted to a rotation of the locking member 78. The transfer element 12 thereby decouples the knob 76 from the locking member 78 when the magnet 18 adopts the unblocking position 54.

[0093] FIG. 12 schematically represents a side view of the lock device 74 in FIGS. 10 and 11 when the magnet 18 is in the blocking position 50. In FIG. 12, a valid credential has been presented and the control system 36 has thereby commanded to send current through the coil 16 to flip the magnet 18 from the unblocking position 54 to the blocking position 50. The arrangement 10 is thereby in an unlocked state 70. In the unlocked state 70, the transfer element 12 couples the knob 76 to the locking member 78 since the magnet 18 prevents retraction of the transfer element 12.

[0094] FIG. 13 schematically represents a side view of the lock device 74 in FIGS. 10-12 when the knob 76 is manually actuated. Since the transfer element 12 is in the protruded position 42 engaging the aperture 68 and since the magnet 18 is in the blocking position 50 blocking the transfer element 12 from being retracted, a manual rotation of the knob 76 is transmitted by the transfer element 12 to a rotation 80 of the locking member 78. The knob 76 and the locking member 78 thereby be rotated in common to unlock the lock device 74. The arrangement 10 thereby functions as a clutch.

[0095] FIG. 14 schematically represents a partial top view of a further arrangement 82, and FIG. 15 schematically represents a top view of the arrangement 82 in FIG. 14. FIG. 16 schematically represents a partial top view of the arrangement 82 in FIGS. 14 and 15, and FIG. 17 schematically represents a top view of the arrangement 82 in FIGS. 14-16. Mainly differences with respect to FIGS. 1-6 will be described. The arrangement 82 in FIGS. 14-17 comprises a magnet 18 movable linearly between the blocking position 5o and the unblocking position 54. In this specific example, the magnet 18 is guided linearly along rails 84. Also in FIGS. 14-17, the blocking member 48 is constituted by the magnet 18.

[0096] In FIGS. 14 and 15, the magnet 18 is in the blocking position 50 where the transfer element 12 is blocked from moving from the protruded position 42 to the retracted position 56. In FIGS. 16 and 17, the magnet 18 is in the unblocking position 54 allowing the transfer element 12 to move to the retracted position 56.

[0097] The first arm 22 comprises a first primary finger 86 and a second primary finger 88. The second arm 24 comprises a first secondary finger 90 and a second secondary finger 92. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, by applying a current pulse in the first direction through the coil 16, a north pole is established in each of the first primary finger 86 and the second primary finger 88, and a south pole is established in each of the first secondary finger 90 and the second secondary finger 92. The north pole of the first primary finger 86 repels the north pole of the magnet 18 and the south pole of the first secondary finger 90 repels the south pole of the magnet 18. The south pole of the second secondary finger 92 attracts the north pole of the magnet 18 and the north pole of the second primary finger 88 attracts the south pole of the magnet 18. The magnet 18 is thereby caused to move linearly from the blocking position 50 to the unblocking position 54.

[0098] 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. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention may be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.