ACTUATING DEVICE AND LOCK DEVICE

Abstract

An actuating device (12) comprising an actuating element (14); an electric generator (16); and an electromechanical coupling device (18) configured to adopt a decoupled state, for decoupling the actuating element (14) from a locking member (22), and a coupled state, for coupling the actuating element (14) to the locking member (22); wherein the coupling device (18) comprises a blocker (26), a holder (38) and a release mechanism (40); wherein the holder (38) is arranged to adopt a holding position, in which the holder (38) holds the blocker (26), when the coupling device (18) adopts the coupled state; wherein the holder (38) is arranged to adopt a released position, in which the holder (38) does not hold the blocker (26), when the coupling device (18) adopts the decoupled state; and wherein the release mechanism (40) is arranged to mechanically force the holder (38) from the holding position to the released position by manual rotation of the actuating element (14) about the actuating axis (20).

Claims

1. An actuating device for a lock device, the actuating device comprising: an actuating element manually rotatable about an actuating axis; an electric generator arranged to be driven by manual rotation of the actuating element about the actuating axis; and an electromechanical coupling device arranged to be electrically powered by the electric generator, the coupling device being configured to adopt a decoupled state, for decoupling the actuating element from a locking member, and a coupled state, for coupling the actuating element to the locking member; wherein the coupling device comprises a blocker, a holder and a release mechanism; wherein the holder is arranged to adopt a holding position, in which the holder holds the blocker, when the coupling device adopts the coupled state; wherein the holder is arranged to adopt a released position, in which the holder does not hold the blocker, when the coupling device adopts the decoupled state; and wherein the release mechanism is arranged to mechanically force the holder from the holding position to the released position by manual rotation of the actuating element about the actuating axis.

2. The actuating device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling device comprises an electric motor arranged to be electrically powered by the electric generator, and wherein the electric motor is arranged to drive the holder from the released position to the holding position.

3. The actuating device according to claim 2, wherein the holder is rotatable between the holding position and the released position about a motor axis of the electric motor, substantially parallel with the actuating axis.

4. The actuating device according to claim 3, wherein the holder comprises an eccentric holder part, eccentric with respect to the motor axis and arranged to be engaged by the release mechanism.

5. The actuating device according to claim 1, wherein the release mechanism comprises a release member arranged to push the holder from the holding position to the released position by manual rotation of the actuating element about the actuating axis.

6. The actuating device according to claim 4, wherein the release member comprises a cam surface arranged to engage the eccentric holder part.

7. The actuating device according to claim 5, wherein the release member is arranged to reciprocate linearly with respect to the actuating element and substantially perpendicularly to the actuating axis, in response to manual rotation of the actuating element about the actuating axis.

8. The actuating device according to claim 7, wherein the release member comprises a slot arranged to be engaged by an eccentric locking member part of the locking member, eccentric with respect to the actuating axis.

9. The actuating device according to claim 1, wherein the blocker comprises a blocking member.

10. The actuating device according to claim 9, wherein the blocking member is arranged to adopt an engaged position when the coupling device adopts the coupled state, wherein the blocking member is allowed to move from the engaged position to a disengaged position, substantially parallel with the actuating axis, when the coupling device adopts the decoupled state, and wherein the coupling device further comprises a blocker force device arranged to force the blocking member from the disengaged position towards the engaged position.

11. The actuating device according to claim 9, wherein the blocker further comprises a guiding member having two guide surfaces, wherein the blocking member is arranged between the guide surfaces, and wherein the guiding member is allowed to move, substantially parallel with the actuating axis, in response to manual rotation of the actuating element about the actuating axis, regardless of whether the coupling device adopts the coupled state or the decoupled state.

12. The actuating device according to claim 11, further comprising a blocking member force device arranged to force the blocking member relative to the guiding member.

13. A lock device comprising an actuating device according to claim 1.

14. The lock device according to claim 13, further comprising the locking member, wherein the locking member can be moved from a locked position to an unlocked position by means of manual rotation of the actuating element about the actuating axis when the coupling device adopts the coupled state, and wherein the locking member cannot be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position by means of manual rotation of the actuating element about the actuating axis when the coupling device adopts the decoupled state.

15. The lock device according to claim 14, wherein the locking member comprises an engageable structure arranged to be engaged by the blocker by manual rotation of the actuating element about the actuating axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

[0041] FIG. 1: schematically represents a perspective top view of a lock device comprising an actuating device;

[0042] FIG. 2: schematically represents a partial perspective bottom view of the lock device;

[0043] FIG. 3: schematically represents a perspective side view of the actuating device with a coupling device in a coupled state and a holder in a holding position;

[0044] FIG. 4: schematically represents a further perspective side view of the actuating device in Fig. 3;

[0045] FIG. 5: schematically represents a perspective side view of the actuating device with the coupling device in a decoupled state and the holder in a released position; and

[0046] FIG. 6: schematically represents a further perspective side view of the actuating device in Fig. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] In the following, an actuating device for a lock device and a lock device comprising an actuating device, will be described. The same or similar reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

[0048] FIG. 1 schematically represents a perspective top view of a lock device 10 comprising an actuating device 12. The lock device 10 of this example is an energy harvesting lock cylinder. The actuating device 12 comprises an actuating element 14, an electric generator 16 and an electromechanical coupling device 18.

[0049] The actuating element 14 can be grasped and rotated by a human hand about an actuating axis 20, e.g. relative to a stationary structure (not illustrated). The actuating element 14 is here exemplified as a knob.

[0050] The electric generator 16 is driven by the manual rotation of the actuating element 14. Thus, when the actuating element 14 rotates about the actuating axis 20, the electric generator 16 is rotationally driven by the actuating element 14 to generate electric energy.

[0051] The coupling device 18 is arranged to be electrically powered by the electric generator 16. Thus, when the electric generator 16 is driven by rotation of the actuating element 14 to generate electric energy, the electric generator 16 electrically powers the coupling device 18.

[0052] The lock device 10 further comprises a locking member 22. The locking member 22 is rotatable about the actuating axis 20, e.g. between a locked position and an unlocked position. The locking member 22 comprises an engageable structure, here exemplified as a protrusion 24.

[0053] The coupling device 18 is configured to adopt a decoupled state and a coupled state. In the decoupled state, the coupling device 18 does not transmit rotation of the actuating element 14 to rotation of the locking member 22. Thus, when the coupling device 18 adopts the decoupled state, the lock device 10 is locked and the locking member 22 cannot be rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position (and vice versa) by manual rotation of the actuating element 14.

[0054] In the coupled state, the coupling device 18 transmits rotation of the actuating element 14 to rotation of the locking member 22. Thus, when the coupling device 18 adopts the coupled state, the lock device 10 is unlocked and the locking member 22 can be rotated from the locked position to the unlocked position (and vice versa) by manual rotation of the actuating element 14. In FIG. 1, the coupling device 18 is in the coupled state.

[0055] The coupling device 18 comprises a blocker 26. The blocker 26 comprises a rigid blocking member 28. The blocking member 28 is arranged to adopt an engaged position when the coupling device 18 adopts the coupled state. Thus, in FIG. 1, the blocking member 28 is in the engaged position. When the coupling device 18 adopts the decoupled state, the blocking member 28 is allowed to adopt a disengaged position by linear movement parallel with the actuating axis 20.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 1, the protrusion 24 of the locking member 22 is engaged by the blocker 26. In this example, the engaged position is an extended position (the blocking member 28 extends to the left in FIG. 1) and the disengaged position is a retracted position.

[0057] The actuating device 12 further comprises a spindle 30. The spindle 30 of this example is fixedly connected to the actuating element 14. The blocking member 28 is arranged to move parallel with the actuating axis 20 in a slot in the spindle 3o between the engaged position and the disengaged position. The blocking member 28 comprises two contact surfaces, at the left end in FIG. 1. Each contact surface is configured to engage the protrusion 24 of the locking member 22. The contact surfaces each lies in a plane substantially parallel with the actuating axis 20.

[0058] The blocker 26 further comprises a guiding member 32. The guiding member 32 of this example is a rigid body. The guiding member 32 comprises two inclined and flat guide surfaces 34. As shown in FIG. 1, the blocking member 28 is arranged between the two guide surfaces 34. The guiding member 32 is allowed to move, parallel with the actuating axis 20, when the actuating element 14 rotates about the actuating axis 20, regardless of whether or not the coupling device 18 adopts the coupled state or the decoupled state.

[0059] The actuating device 12 further comprises a blocker force device, here exemplified as a spring 36. The spring 36 is arranged to force the guiding member 32 forward (to the left in FIG. 1) and to force the blocking member 28 from the disengaged position towards the engaged position. To this end, the spring 36 acts between the spindle 3o and the guiding member 32.

[0060] FIG. 2 schematically represents a partial perspective bottom view of the lock device 10. In FIG. 2, it can be seen that the coupling device 18 further comprises a holder 38 and a release mechanism 40. The holder 38 is a rigid body.

[0061] The coupling device 18 further comprises an electric motor 42. The electric motor 42 is electrically powered by the electric generator 16 when the electric generator 16 is driven by manual rotation of the actuating element 14. The electric motor 42 is arranged to rotate the holder 38 from a released position to a holding position, e.g. upon on a granted authorization request. The authorization procedure may be handled by means of reading electronics (e.g. for wireless reading of credentials) and evaluation electronics in the lock device 10, as known in the art.

[0062] The release mechanism 40 of this example comprises a release member 44, here exemplified as a rigid body. The release member 44 is arranged to reciprocate linearly relative to the actuating element 14 and the spindle 3o in a direction perpendicular to the actuating axis 20 and in response to manual actuation of the actuating element 14 relative to the locking member 22. To this end, the release member 44 is arranged to travel in a track in the spindle 30.

[0063] When the actuating element 14 and the spindle 3o rotate about the actuating axis 20 relative to the locking member 22, the release member 44 rotates about the actuating axis 20 but also moves perpendicular to the actuating axis 20. When the actuating element 14, the spindle 3o and the locking member 22 rotate in common about the actuating axis 20, the release member 44 rotates about the actuating axis 20 but does not move perpendicular to the actuating axis 20.

[0064] FIG. 3 schematically represents a perspective side view of the actuating device 12 when the coupling device 18 is in the coupled state and the holder 38 is in the holding position. Fig. 4 schematically represents a further perspective side view of the actuating device 12 in FIG. 3. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the spindle 30 and the actuating element 14 are removed to improve visibility. With collective reference to Figs. 3 and 4, the electric motor 42 is arranged to rotate the holder 38 about a motor axis 46 parallel with the actuating axis 20.

[0065] The actuating device 12 further comprises a blocking member force device, here exemplified as two springs 48. Each spring 48 is connected between the blocking member 28 and the guiding member 32. The blocking member 28 and the guiding member 32 are allowed to move relative to each other against the deformation of the springs 48. The blocking member 28 is guided in a slot in the guiding member 32.

[0066] The blocking member 28 comprises an engageable structure, here exemplified as a protruding block 50. In the holding position, here in a first rotational position of the holder 38 about the motor axis 46, the holder 38 holds the blocker 26. In this specific example, the holder 38 holds the block 50 of the blocking member 28 such that the blocking member 28 is prevented from being retracted.

[0067] The holder 38 comprises an eccentric holder part, here exemplified as an eccentric holder pin 52. The holder pin 52 is eccentric with respect to the motor axis 46. The holder pin 52 is arranged to be engaged by the release mechanism 40.

[0068] The release member 44 comprises a cam surface 54. The cam surface 54 is arranged to engage the holder pin 52. The release member 44 further comprises a slot 56. The slot 56 of this example is elongated and perpendicular to the actuating axis 20.

[0069] The locking member 22 comprises an eccentric locking member part, here exemplified as a locking member pin 58. The locking member pin 58 is eccentric with respect to the actuating axis 20. The locking member pin 58 is received and engaged in the slot 56.

[0070] When the lock device 10 is unlocked, the coupling device 18 adopts the coupled state by moving the holder 38 to the holding position by the electric motor 42. In this case, rotation of the actuating element 14 about the actuating axis 20 is transmitted by the blocker 26 to a rotation of the locking member 22 about the actuating axis 20. In this example, rotation of the actuating element 14 is transmitted by the blocking member 28 to a rotation of the locking member 22. The actuating element 14, the release mechanism 40 and the locking member 22 rotate in common about the actuating axis 20. Therefore, the engagement of the locking member pin 58 in the slot 56 does not cause the release member 44 to move relative to the locking member 22 or the actuating element 14.

[0071] When the locking member 22 has been rotated to an unlocked position by means of the actuating element 14 to unlock the lock device 10, a door (or other access member) can be opened. The holder 38 may then be commanded to move from the holding position to the released position by means of the electric motor 42 after a certain time. In order to lock the lock device 10, for example when leaving a building, the user again presents his/her credentials and the holder 38 is commanded (upon valid authorization) to move the holder 38 from the released position to the holding position by means of the electric motor 42. The user then rotates the locking member 22 to a locked position by manual rotation of the actuating element 14 in a locking direction to lock the lock device 10.

[0072] After a certain time, the holder 38 is then again commanded to move from the holding position to the released position by means of the electric motor 42 in order to lock the lock device 10. However, the blocking member 28 may remain in contact with the protrusion 24 (as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4) such that the blocking member 28 and the holder 38 are under tension. In this case, the electric motor 42 may not be capable of bringing the holder 38 from the holding position to the released position by means of the electric motor 42 even though commanded to do so while electric energy is available.

[0073] However, when the actuating element 14 is manually rotated in an unlocking direction, the blocker 26 will move away from the protrusion 24 and the release mechanism 4o will mechanically force the holder 38 from the holding position to the released position. In this example, rotation of the actuating element 14 will cause the the release member 44 to travel radially inwards (with respect to the actuating axis 20) by means of the engagement of the slot 56 by the locking member pin 58. This movement of the release member 44 will cause the holder pin 52 to be pushed such that the holder 38 rotates from the holding position to the released position by means of the engagement between the cam surface 54 and the holder pin 52. The release mechanism 40 is thus arranged to mechanically force the holder 38 from the holding position to the released position by manual rotation of the actuating element 14 about the actuating axis 20.

[0074] FIG. 5 schematically represents a perspective side view of the actuating device 12 with the coupling device 18 in the decoupled state and the holder 38 in the released position. FIG. 6 schematically represents a further perspective side view of the actuating device 12 in FIG. 5. With collective reference to Figs. 5 and 6, when the holder 38 adopts the released position, i.e. a second rotational position about the motor axis 46, the holder 38 does not hold the blocking member 28. The lock device 10 is thereby locked in Figs. 5 and 6.

[0075] When the actuating element 14 is rotated with the coupling device 18 in the decoupled state such that the blocker 26 contacts the protrusion 24, one of the guide surfaces 34 will initially contact the protrusion 24 such that the guiding member 32 is retracted against the compression of the spring 36. The retraction of the guiding member 32 will cause the springs 48 to be compressed such that also the blocking member 28 is retracted and thereby prevented from pushing the protrusion 24. Thus, rotation of the actuating element 14 will not be transmitted to a rotation of the locking member 22 and the lock device 10 is thereby locked.

[0076] 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.