Electromechanical door lock actuation device and method for operating it

Abstract

A door lock actuation device configured for operating a door lock in a door blade, wherein the door lock includes a dead bolt driven by rotation of a connector is provided. The device includes a casing, inside which there is provided a motor for driving a rotational connector-receiver that receives and rotates the connector. The device also includes a rotational handle mechanically connected to the connector-receiver, for forcing rotation of the connector-receiver by manual rotation of the handle. The motor is selectively disconnectable from the connector-receiver for manual driving of the connector-receiver by the handle without backdriving the motor.

Claims

1. A door lock actuation device for operating a door lock in a door blade, wherein the door lock comprises a dead bolt driven by rotation of a connector that is functionally connected to the dead bolt; the device comprising a casing, inside which there is provided a rotational connector-receiver for receiving and rotating the connector when the casing is mounted on the door blade; wherein a motor is provided inside the casing for driving the connector-receiver; the device comprising a rotational handle mechanically connected to the connector-receiver for forcing rotation of the connector-receiver by manual rotation of the handle; the connector-receiver comprising a receiver-gearwheel such that rotation of the receiver-gearwheel in opposite directions causes rotation of the connector-receiver in opposite directions; the device comprising a first gearwheel that is coupled to the motor for being driven by torque from the motor, the first gearwheel being connectable to the receiver-gearwheel by intermeshing for conveying torque from the motor to the receiver-gearwheel via the first gearwheel, characterised in that the first gearwheel is disconnectable from the receiver-gearwheel for breaking the intermeshing torque connection between the receiver-gearwheel and the motor, thereby providing selective motorised or manual driving of the connector-receiver, wherein the intermeshing between the first gearwheel and the receiver-gearwheel is provided by a gearwheel system with a plurality of gearwheels comprising teeth in intermeshing configuration, wherein the gearwheel system comprises a bridge extending from a stationary gearwheel axle to a swingable gearwheel axle, the stationary gearwheel axle being in rotational connection with a stationary motor-driven gearwheel and the swingable gearwheel axle being in rotational connection with a swingable gearwheel, wherein the two gearwheels are intermeshed; the swingable gearwheel axle being carried by the bridge; wherein the bridge is arranged swingable between a first angular position and a second angular position by rotation of the bridge about the stationary gearwheel axle, wherein the first angular position of the bridge provides an intermeshing of the swingable gearwheel with the receiver-gearwheel at one location of the receiver-gearwheel for driving the receiver-gearwheel in a first rotational direction by the swingable gearwheel, and wherein the second angular position of the bridge the swingable gearwheel provides an intermeshing with the receiver-gearwheel at another location of the receiver-gearwheel for driving the receiver-gearwheel in a second, opposite rotational direction by the swingable gearwheel, wherein the door lock actuation device further comprises an electronic decoder configured for measuring the angular movement of the connector-receiver, and being configured for stopping the motor and the rotation of the connector-receiver at a predetermined dead bolt extension position and retraction position, wherein the decoder is at least one of A and B, wherein in A, the electronic decoder is functionally connected to a toothed decoder wheel intermeshed with the gearwheel system or with the receiver-gearwheel, the rotation of the decoder wheel being readable by the decoder; and wherein in B, the electronic decoder is configured for reversing the motor as a consequence of stopping the motor for driving of the first gearwheel in an opposite direction less than the angular distance between the first and the second angular position for disconnecting the motor from the connector-receiver by separating the bridge from the receiver-gearwheel, for allowing unhindered manual rotation of the connector-receiver while disconnected from the motor.

2. A door lock actuation device according to claim 1, wherein the bridge is connected to the stationary rotational gearwheel through a friction clutch for swinging the bridge by rotation of the stationary motor-driven gearwheel, unless the rotation of the bridge is blocked by the instance of the swingable gearwheel abutting the receiver-gearwheel at the first or the second rotational position, in which case the friction clutch allows frictional rotational movement between the stationary rotational gearwheel and the bridge.

3. A door lock actuation device according to claim 1, wherein the bridge is configured for rotation over a range of more than 180 degrees between the first and second angular position.

4. A door lock actuation device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation of the bridge from the first to the second position is caused by rotation of the motor in one direction, and the rotation of the bridge from the second to the first position is caused by rotation of the motor in the opposite direction.

5. A door lock actuation device according to claim 1, wherein a magnet system is provided and arranged for providing magnetic force acting on the bridge for disengaging the swingable gearwheel from the intermeshing with the receiver-gearwheel.

6. A door lock actuation device according to claim 5, wherein the magnet system comprises at least one electromagnet configured for electrical activation to provide the magnetic force acting on the bridge.

7. A door lock actuation device according to claim 1, wherein a resilient spring mechanism provided at the first and at the second position, the spring mechanism being configured for acting against the force of the bridge against the receiver-gearwheel for separating the swingable gearwheel from engagement with the receiver-gearwheel.

8. A door lock actuation device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a receiver for receiving and executing wireless digital command data for locking or unlocking the door lock, the receiver being functionally coupled to the motor for activating the motor in dependence of the locking or unlocking command.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

(1) Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with references to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a known electromechanical door actuator system;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a first part of a device with a handle;

(4) FIG. 3a illustrates the transmission gear system of the device in a first driving position of the gear,

(5) FIG. 3b illustrates the transmission gear system of the device in a neutral position, and

(6) FIG. 3c illustrates the transmission gear system of the device an opposite driving position of the gear,

(7) FIG. 3d illustrates the transmission gear system of the device with magnets for causing disengagement;

(8) FIG. 4 illustrates a swingable bridge with a stationary spring member;

(9) FIG. 5a illustrates a swingable bridge with a swingable spring member in a first position;

(10) FIG. 5b illustrates a swingable bridge with a swingable spring member in a second position;

(11) FIG. 6a is an illustration of a lock device with batteries and decoder;

(12) FIG. 6b is an illustration of a perspective view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(13) FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art door lock actuator system 8. A door blade 1 comprises a straight spring latch handle 2 that actuates a spring latch 4 in a door lock 3. A dead bolt 5 is actuated by a lock cylinder 6 that has a key receiver (not shown) on one side of the door blade 1. The lock cylinder 6 has on its opposite end towards the door blade a lock actuator pin 7 for connection to another lock element, for example a manual knob or an electrical actuator 8, as illustrated, which by rotation of the lock actuator pin 7 operates the dead bolt 5 between a fully retracted position, as illustrated, and a fully extended position, which is typically called a dead position. The electrical actuator is battery driven and also comprises a cylindrical handle 9 around the motorised electromechanical actuator 8. Turning the cylindrical handle 9 manually actuates the dead bolt 5 and also rotates the motor. In FIG. 1, the electromechanical actuator 8 is show as removed from the door, while it normally would be mounted onto the door blade 1 with the lock actuator pin 7 mounted inside the electromechanical actuator 8.

(14) In the following, the electromechanical actuator system 8 of FIG. 1 is substituted by a different electromechanical lock device, however, the door 1 and the lock 3 with the lock actuator pin 7 serve as an equal basis and are referred to in similar manner.

(15) FIG. 2 illustrates a lock device 11 with a cylindrical casing 12 at which one end there is provided a manually rotational handle 13 comprising a circular plate 14 and an outwards protruding profile 15 across the plate 14 for easy grabbing and rotating of the handle 13, functioning as a thumbturn. The cylindrical casing 12 is configured for mounting onto a door blade similarly to the actuator system in FIG. 1 such that it received the lock actuator pin 7 into the opposite end of the casing 12 relatively to the end with the handle 13.

(16) FIG. 3a illustrates a gearing system 10 of the lock device 11 as seen in a partially cut out illustration opposite to the handle 13. The handle 13 is fastened to a connector-receiver 16, which due to the connector being a lock actuator pin, in the following is called a pin-receiver 16, although it may be easily modified to receive a different type of connector that is connected to the dead bolt 5 for driving it by rotation of the connector.

(17) Rotation of the handle 13 rotates the pin-receiver 16. The pin-receiver 16 received the lock actuator pin 7 in the slot 17, and when rotated by the handle 13, rotated the lock actuator pin 7 and consequently moves the dead bolt 5. The pin-receiver 16 comprises a receiver-gearwheel 18 which rotates together with the pin-receiver 16. This receiver-gearwheel 18 is used for driving the pin-receiver 16 by a motor through the gearing system 10. An electrical motor located underneath a first cover plate 31 is driving a first gearwheel 19 which is intermeshed with a second gearwheel 20. On the second gearwheel 20, a third gearwheel 21 is solidly fixed such that it rotates together with the second gearwheel 20 around a stationary axle 24. A bridge 23 is rotationally mounted on the stationary axle 24. This bridge 23 carries an axle 26 for a fourth gearwheel 22, which intermeshes with the third gearwheel 21 such that rotation of the third gear 21 wheel causes rotation of the fourth gearwheel 22 in the opposite direction. The bridge 23 is connected to the third gearwheel 21 through a friction clutch 25. When the third gearwheel 21 rotates, the friction clutch 25 creates sufficient friction between the third gearwheel 21 and the bridge 23 to swing the bridge 23 by the rotating third gearwheel 21, unless there is an obstacle that prevents the swinging of the bridge 23, in which case the friction clutch 25 breaks the connection between the third gearwheel and the bridge 23 in order to allow the third gearwheel 21 to continue its rotation without further swinging of the bridge 23.

(18) The electro-mechanical and manual operation of the lock is as follows. In the state of the gearing system 10 as illustrated in FIG. 3b, the fourth gearwheel 22 is in a position remote from the receiver-gearwheel 18, allowing free manual operation of the pin-receiver 16 without engaging with the first, second, third and fourth gearwheels 19-22. When the motor is activated in a first direction, the first gearwheel 19 drives the second gearwheel 20, by which the third gearwheel 21 is rotating, by which the bridge 23 is swinging towards the pin receiver gearwheel 18, until the teeth of the fourth gearwheel 22 intermesh with the teeth of the receiver-gearwheel 18. This situation is illustrated in FIG. 3a. The receiver-gearwheel is an obstacle for further swinging of the bridge 23, and the swinging will stop, while the third gearwheel continues rotating due to the friction clutch 25 between the third gearwheel 21 and the bridge 23. The continuous rotation of the third gearwheel 21 puts rotational force on the now stationary bridge 23 and presses the fourth gearwheel 22 against the receiver-gearwheel 18 at a first angular position. The rotation of the third gearwheel 21 drives the fourth gearwheel 24 which in turn drives the receiver-gearwheel. This way, the pin-receiver 16 is rotated in a first direction, which actuates the lock actuator pin 7 in the pin-receiver 16 and, accordingly, moves the dead bolt 5.

(19) When the dead bolt has moves to the end position, the motor is stopped. For example, the dead bolt is driven until it meets a hardware stop, which makes further driving of the dead bolt by the motor impossible, increasing the power consumption of the motor, which is measured electronically and the motion of the motor stopped in this direction. Alternatively, an angular motion decoder is used which controls the angular maximum rotation of the pin-receiver 16 and stops the motor prior to the dead bolt 5 reaching a hardware stop.

(20) When the dead bolt 5 is to be moved in the opposite direction, the motor direction is reversed, and the first, second and third gearwheels 19-21 are rotated in an opposite direction. The bridge 23 is swung in the opposite direction together with the rotation of the third gearwheel 21, until the fourth gearwheel 24 abuts the receiver-gearwheel 18 and intermeshes with the teeth at a second angular position on the opposite side of the receiver-gearwheel as compared to the situation in FIG. 3a. This situation is illustrated in FIG. 3c as compared to FIG. 3a. The continuous driving of the third gearwheel 21 due to the friction clutch 25 between the third gearwheel 21 and the bridge 23 presses the teeth of the fourth gearwheel 22 into the teeth of the receiver-gearwheel 18.

(21) The switch between the first and second angular position is made very quickly as compared to the actuation of the connector, especially, if the swingable fourth gearwheel 22 is smaller than the receiver-gearwheel 18.

(22) For minimal lateral force from the fourth gearwheel on the bridge 23, the axle 24 of the third gearwheel 21 and the axle 26 of the fourth gearwheel 22 are on a centre line 27 that is tangential to the receiver-gearwheel 18.

(23) In order for the manual operation being possible without turning the motor, the bridge 23 is rotated away from the pin-receiver such that the fourth gearwheel 22 does not any longer engage with the receiver-gearwheel 18 after electromechanical actuation.

(24) For example, at the end of the electromechanical actuation, the motor is reversed and the bridge 23 swung away into the position as illustrated in FIG. 3b. Alternatively, the bridge 23 is only rotated a small angular distance from the pin-receiver 16 such that the teeth of the fourth gearwheel 22 are just free of the teeth of the receiver-gearwheel 18.

(25) As an alternative to the reversing of the motor, a magnet system with one or more magnets is provided and used for disengaging the fourth gearwheel 22 on the bridge 23 from the receiver-gearwheel 18.

(26) An example of such a system is illustrated in FIG. 3d. Two magnets 43 are arranged on opposite sides of a line 44 connecting the centre of the receiver-gearwheel 18 with the centre of the non-rotational axle 24 for the third gearwheel 21. The bridge 23 with the swingable fourth gearwheel 22 is provided with metal or magnet that is attracted to the magnets 43. Activation of one of the magnets 43 causes the bridge 23 to be swung away from an orientation such that the fourth gearwheel 22 disengages with the receiver-gearwheel 18. Either of the magnets 43 is used for the corresponding side on which the fourth gearwheel 22 engages with the receiver-gearwheel 18.

(27) As further alternative, the receiver-gearwheel 18 or the pin receiver is provided with a magnet repelling the bridge 23 in order to cause disengagement.

(28) For example, the magnets are electromagnets that are electrically activated in order to create a magnetic force upon activation, which causes disengaging of fourth gearwheel 22 from the receiver-gearwheel 18.

(29) Alternatively, the magnets are permanent magnet that exerts force on the bridge 23 against the force from the friction clutch 25. As long as the motor is active and through the friction clutch 25 presses the fourth gearwheel 22 into engagement with the receiver-gearwheel 18, the force of the magnet is not strong enough to disengage the fourth gearwheel 22 from the receiver-gearwheel 18. The friction clutch and the magnet are adjusted such that the force on the bridge 23 from the friction clutch 25 is higher than the counteracting force from the magnet. However, once the motor stops, the magnetic force is strong enough to cause a minute displacement, sufficient for disengagement of the fourth gearwheel 22 from the receiver-gearwheel 18.

(30) A further alternative is provided with spring force acting against the bridge in a direction away from the pin-receiver. When the bridge 23 is driven and pressed against the receiver-gearwheel 18 by the third gearwheel 22 through the friction clutch 25, the force due to the friction clutch is use to also deform a spring member. Once the force is stopped due to stopping of the motor, the spring member presses the bridge 25 away from the pin-receiver 16 without rotating the third gearwheel 23, which is possible due to the friction clutch between the third gearwheel 21 and the bridge 23. Examples of such spring arrangements are illustrate in FIGS. 4 and 5.

(31) In the example of FIG. 4, the bridge 23 is provided with a spring member 28 that extends around the axle 24 and is fastened to the axle 24. The spring member 28 has a resilient part 29 on either side for abutment against an abutment pin 30. For example, with reference to FIG. 3a, the abutment pin of FIG. 4 extends from a fastening point on the first cover plate 31. Alternatively, a second cover plate (not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) is provided on top of the gearing system 10, which is on the opposite side as compared to the first cover plate 31 relatively to the gearing system 10, and the abutment pin 30 extends from such second cover plate.

(32) When the bridge 23 is swung for intermeshing the teeth of the receiver-gearwheel 18 and the fourth gearwheel 22, the resilient part 29 of the spring member 28 abuts the abutment pin 30 and is resiliently deformed against the abutment pin 30 due to the pressing force of the bridge 23 towards the receiver-gearwheel 18. While the third gearwheel 21 is rotating, the friction clutch 25 provides force enough to deform the resilient part 29 of the spring member 28 and to keep the fourth gearwheel 22 in tooth-engagement with the receiver-gearwheel 18. Once, the rotation stops, the force on the resilient part 29 stops as well, and the resilient part 29 returns to the original shape, pressing the bridge 23 away from the abutment pin 30 and, thereby, the fourth gear 22 wheel away from the receiver-gearwheel 18 and out of the engagement with the receiver-gearwheel 18.

(33) An alternative configuration is illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5b in perspectives as seen from different angles. In this case, a first and second resilient spring rod 32a, 32b is fastened to the non-rotational axle 24, and the bridge 23 is provided with a protrusion 33 that engages with and deforms the first or the second resilient spring rod 32a, 32b, dependent on the rotational direction, as illustrated in FIG. 5b relatively to FIG. 5a. Other configurations are possible to achieve a similar effect as explained in connection with FIG. 4 and as shown in FIG. 5. The deformation of the first resilient rod 32a occurs when the bridge 23 is rotated clockwise by the friction clutch 25, and the abutment pin 30 is deforming the first resilient rod towards the receiver gearwheel 18. Once, the rotation stops, the first resilient rod 32a flexes back into the relaxed state and presses the bridge 23 counter-clockwise such that the fourth gearwheel 22 slips out of engagement with the receiver-gearwheel 18. Correspondingly, the second resilient rod 32b, as illustrated in FIG. 5b, presses the bridge 2 back in the opposite direction after stop of rotation, due to the back-flexing.

(34) FIGS. 6a and 6b illustrate further details of the lock device. FIG. 6a shows a head-on view onto the pin receiver 16. In this embodiment, the slot 17 for the actuator pin 7 is different from the embodiment in FIG. 3. As illustrated in FIGS. 6a and 6b, the device comprises four batteries 36 for powering the motor 39 of the actuator. Between the first gearwheel 19 and the motor 39, which are on opposite sides of the first cover plate 31, there are provided further gearwheels 38. The lock device comprises fixing screws 37 for fixing the casing 12 on a mounting plate against the blade of the door 1. The teeth of a toothed decoder wheel 34 intermesh with the teeth of the receiver-gearwheel 18 and translate the rotation of the receiver-gearwheel 18 to digital data in an electronic decoder 35 in order to continuously measure and control the angular position of the receiver-gearwheel 18. This decoder 35 is in electronic connection with the motor 39 and configured to stop the motor 39 at a predetermined position of the receiver-gearwheel 18, for example shortly before hardware stop of the dead bolt 5. In some embodiments, the decoder 35 is used to cause backturning the motor 39 after each stop in order to disengage the fourth gearwheel 22 from the receiver-gearwheel 18, as explained above.

(35) Optionally, the decoder 35 is used to activate the motor 39 when a manual turning of the handle 13 is detected via the manually rotated connector receiver 16 and the decoder wheel 34.

(36) The device comprises a printed circuit board 41 with a transceiver 42 inside the casing for controlling wireless data transfer and for executing wireless digital command data for locking or unlocking the door lock, the printed circuit board 41 being functionally coupled to the motor 39 for activating the motor 39 in dependence of the locking or unlocking command.

(37) Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of preferred embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

(38) For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of “a” or “an” throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and “comprising” does not exclude other steps or elements. The mention of a “unit” or a “module” does not preclude the use of more than one unit or module.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

(39) 1 door blade 2 spring latch handle 3 door lock 4 spring latch 5 dead bolt 6 lock cylinder 7 lock actuator pin (spindle pin) 8 electrical actuator 9 cylindrical handle 10 gearing system to drive the pin-receiver 16 11 door lock actuation device 12 cylindrical casing 13 manually rotational handle 14 circular plate of handle 13 15 outwards protruding profile across plate 14 16 pin-receiver 17 slot for lock actuator pin 7 in pin-receiver 16 18 receiver-gearwheel 19 first gearwheel 20 second gearwheel, tooth-engaged with first driver gearwheel 19 21 third gearwheel solidly connected and co-axial with second gearwheel 20 22 fourth gearwheel tooth-engaged with third gearwheel 21 23 bridge connecting third gearwheel 21 and fourth gearwheel 22 24 non-rotational axle for third gearwheel 21 25 friction clutch between third gearwheel 21 and bridge 24 26 axle for fourth gearwheel 22 27 centre line from centre of axle 24 and axle 26 28 spring member 29 resilient part of spring member for abutment to abutment 30 30 abutment pin 31 first cover plate 32a, 32b first and second resilient spring rod 33 protrusion on bridge 23 34 decoder wheel 35 electronic decoder 36 batteries 37 fixing screws 38 further gearwheels 39 motor 40 second cover plate 41 printed circuit board 42 transceiver 43 magnets 44 line from the centre of the receiver-gearwheel 18 to the centre of the non-rotational axle 24 for the third gearwheel 21