KEY WITH LIGHT DEVICE FOR AN ELECTROMECHANICAL LOCKING DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a key (1) for an electromechanical locking device (101), having a key bow (2), with the key bow (2) comprising a light device (75), and with the key bow (2) comprising electronics (70) which are designed to actuate the light device (75) to reproduce at least one item of information in a luminous manner.

Claims

1. A key for an electromechanical locking device, with a key bow, wherein the key bow comprises a light device, and wherein the key bow comprises electronics which are designed to actuate the light device to reproduce at least one item of information in a luminous manner, wherein the key is designed to enter into a wireless communication connection with a device, wherein the electronics are designed to display a search for the communication connection and/or an existing communication connection as information by way of the light device by actuating the light device, wherein the key comprises an electrical energy storage device, wherein the electronics are designed to represent a charge status of the energy storage device as information by actuating the light device, wherein the information about the energy storage device is represented in a different color than the information about the connection of the key to the device.

2. The key according to claim 1, wherein the light device is designed to light up in at least three colors.

3. The key according to claim 2, wherein the light device comprises at least one light element which is designed to light up in at least three colors, wherein the light element is designed as a red green blue (RGB) light emitting diode (LED).

4. The key according to claim 3 wherein the electronics are designed to display the search for the communication connection and/or the existing communication connection by way of the light element by actuating the light device.

5. The key according to claim 4, wherein the electronics are designed to represent different information about the connection of the key to the device in only one color by actuating the light device.

6. The key according to claim 1, wherein the key comprises an interface for charging the energy storage device, wherein the electronics are designed to represent a charging process and/or an end of the charging process as information by way of the light device, by actuating the light device; wherein the representation is limited to the time that the interface is in connection with a power source.

7. The key according to claim 1, wherein the electronics are designed to represent at least as information the existence of an access authorization and/or the absence of an access authorization by actuating the light device and the electronics are designed to represent information about the energy storage device in a different color than the existence of an access authorization and/or the absence of an access authorization by actuating the light device.

8. The key according to claim 1, wherein the electronics are designed to represent as information at least one of the following errors by way of the light device: a faulty locking device, and a faulty key, disrupted communication with the device.

9. The key according to claim 1, wherein the electronics are designed to actuate the light device, after a trigger event (301, 302, 303, 304) to reproduce at least one item of information in a luminous manner, wherein the trigger event is configured at least as one of the following events: inserting (302) the key (1) into the locking device (101), removing (303) the key (1) from the locking device (101), wherein the electronics are designed to represent different colors and/or different flashing patterns and/or different light intensities triggered in succession by a single trigger event by actuating the light device, wherein the different colors and/or flashing patterns and/or light intensities represent different information about the key and/or the locking device.

10. The key according to claim 6, wherein the electronics are designed to actuate the light device to represent a charge status of the energy storage device after the key has been inserted into the locking device, wherein the representation of the charge status is information from a plurality of items of information that is represented after inserting the key.

11. The key according to claim 1, wherein the key can be configured in such manner that at least a part of the information that can be represented by the light device is not permanently represented by the light device, wherein this configuration can be stored in the electronics.

12. The key according to claim 1, wherein the key comprises a housing made of plastic, and a metal frame for the housing, wherein a light guide is arranged in the housing, wherein the light device lights up through the light guide (26, 27) towards a broad side (93) of the key, and/or wherein the light device lights up beyond the frame in the direction of the key shank.

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

15. The key according to claim 1, comprising a key shank for insertion into the locking device, wherein the key shank is rigidly connected to the key bow, and wherein the key shank comprises at least one electrical transmission element in order to transmit electrical energy to the locking device and/or to transmit electronic data to the locking device and/or to receive electronic data from the locking device.

16. The key according to claim 1, wherein the electronics are designed to represent different information about the energy storage device in only one color by actuating the light device.

17. The key according to claim 3, wherein the electronics are designed to represent a charge status of the energy storage device as information by way of the light element by actuating the light device.

18. The key according to claim 1, wherein the electronics are designed to represent at least as information the existence of an access authorization and/or the absence of an access authorization by way of the light device by actuating the light device and the electronics are designed to represent information about the connection of the key to the device in a different color than the existence of an access authorization and/or the absence of an access authorization by actuating the light device.

19. The key according to claim 18, wherein the key is designed to represent both the information about the energy storage device and the information about the connection of the key to the device in at least one different color than the color for the absent access authorization by actuating the light device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0159] The disclosure will now be explained further on the basis of an exemplary embodiment, in which the following is shown:

[0160] FIG. 1 a schematic view of an arrangement according to the disclosure with a locking device, device and key according to the disclosure in accordance with an exemplary embodiment,

[0161] FIG. 2 an exploded representation of the key according to the disclosure in accordance with the exemplary embodiment,

[0162] FIG. 3 a view of a narrow side of the key according to the disclosure in accordance with the exemplary embodiment,

[0163] FIG. 4 a view of a broad side of the key according to the disclosure in accordance with the exemplary embodiment,

[0164] FIG. 5 the section A-A marked in FIG. 1,

[0165] FIG. 6 the section B-B marked in FIG. 1,

[0166] FIG. 7 the section C-C marked in FIG. 1,

[0167] FIG. 8 a detail of the key according to the disclosure in accordance with the exemplary embodiment,

[0168] FIG. 9 electronics and a light device of the key according to the disclosure in accordance with the exemplary embodiment,

[0169] FIG. 10 a state during the assembly of the key according to the disclosure in accordance with the exemplary embodiment,

[0170] FIG. 11 an assembly method according to the disclosure, and

[0171] FIG. 12 different light patterns for the key according to the disclosure in accordance with the exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0172] The design of a key 1 according to an exemplary embodiment is explained in detail below on the basis of FIGS. 1 to 10. Unless otherwise stated, reference is thereby always made to all figures.

[0173] FIG. 1 shows the key 1 in an isometric view together with a locking device 101 and a device 103. The key 1 with the locking device 101 forms an arrangement 100. The device 103 can also be part of this arrangement 100. In addition, a key ring 102 can be arranged on the key 1.

[0174] The locking device 101 is a lock cylinder with a corresponding electronic device, as explained in the general part of the description. The device 103 is a mobile device or a stationary terminal, also as defined in the general part of the description.

[0175] The key 1 comprises a key bow 2 and a key shank 50. The key shank 50 is used to insert into the locking device 101. If there is an electronic access authorization, the key 1 can rotate a cylinder core 104. If, on the other hand, there is no electronic access authorization, the cylinder core 104 cannot be rotated in a locking device housing 106. Here, a locking element, not represented, of the locking device 101 is prevented from leaving a connecting position between the cylinder core 104 and the locking device housing 106 by an electromechanical actuator, not represented, of the locking device 101. This means that the key 1 cannot be rotated in the locking device 101. Thus, a rotation of the key 1 in the locking device 101 is locked.

[0176] If there is an electronic access authorization, a driver 105, which is designed as a locking lug, can be rotated with the cylinder core 104. For this purpose, the electromechanical actuator has been operated, which enables the locking element to be withdrawn from the connecting position. A building door can be unlocked via the driver 105.

[0177] The key 1 comprises a key bow 2 and a key shank 50. The key shank 50 is used to insert into the locking device 101. The key bow 2 is formed by a housing 10 and a frame 30. The frame forms a free space 44 open on both sides (see FIG. 10) for arranging the housing 10. As soon as the housing 10 is mounted in the frame, the free space 44 in the frame 30 is filled by the housing 10.

[0178] To define the disclosure, axes and sides are used, which are in particular illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Accordingly, the key shank 50 extends along a longitudinal axis 90. A thickness axis 91 and a width axis 92 are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 90. The key bow 2 has two opposing broad sides 93. These two broad sides 93 are intersected by the thickness axis 91. Furthermore, the key bow 2 has two opposing narrow sides 94. The narrow sides 94 are intersected by the width axis 92.

[0179] The key shank 50 is located on a front side 95 of the key bow 2. A rear side 96 is opposite this front side 95. A key ring through-opening 14 for the key ring 102 can be located on this rear side 96. The front side 95 and the rear side 96 are intersected by the longitudinal axis 90.

[0180] A frame thickness 97 of the frame 30 is defined parallel to the thickness axis 91. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the frame 30 constantly has this frame thickness 97 at every point.

[0181] Furthermore, the representation in FIG. 3 shows that the housing 10 projects beyond the frame 30 on both sides, i.e. on both broad sides 93, when viewed along the longitudinal axis 90 or the width axis 92.

[0182] The top view in FIG. 4 shows a view along the thickness axis 91. It can be seen that the frame 30 protrudes beyond the housing 10 along the longitudinal axis 90 and along the width axis 92i.e. over its entire circumference. The frame 30 is thus formed circumferentially on the top surface of the key bow 2. Here, the frame 30 is designed to be open in the direction of the thickness axis 91. The broad sides 93 of the key bow 2, more precisely, the top surfaces of the broad sides 93, are thus formed by the housing 10 and the frame 30.

[0183] In the key bow 2, inside the housing 10 and thus surrounded by the frame 30, there is located electronics 70 of the key 1. The electronics 70 have the circuit board 71, which is represented in detail in FIG. 9.

[0184] As represented in FIG. 9, a light device 75 is arranged on the circuit board 71. The light device 75 is therefore located in the free space 44.

[0185] According to the disclosure, it is provided that the electronics actuate the light device 75 in such manner that the light device reproduces at least one item of information. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, a plurality of items of information are reproduced by the light device 75 using different colors, flashing patterns and light intensities. Exemplary information reproductions are represented in FIG. 12 and are explained further below in connection with FIG. 12.

[0186] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the light device 75 comprises a first light element 76 in the form of an LED on one side of the circuit board 71 and a second light element 77 in the form of an LED on the opposing side of the circuit board 71. The first light element 76 is arranged to feed light into a first light guide 26. The second light element 77 is arranged to feed light into a second light guide 27. The electronics 70 are designed to actuate the two light elements 76, 77 to reproduce at least one item of information in a luminous manner. In particular, the two light elements are actuated synchronously so that they both emit the same pattern.

[0187] The two light elements 76, 77 are in particular LEDs that can light up in a plurality of colors. The light elements 76, 77 are designed in particular as RGB LEDs. Thus, the light elements 76, 77 can emit light of at least four colors, e.g. through color mixing. In the present exemplary embodiment, information is represented by the emission of the colors white (w), blue (b), green (g) and red (r) (see also FIG. 12).

[0188] Furthermore, the housing 10 comprises the first light guide 26 on one broad side 93 and the second light guide 27 on the opposing broad side 93. The two light guides 26, 27 are each arranged to emit light on the associated broad side 93 and beyond the frame 30 in the direction of the key shank 50. If the light elements 76, 77 are actuated synchronously, the same pattern is emitted synchronously through the two light guides 26, 27. A user thus has the opportunity to perceive at least the light on at least one broad side 93 and thereby obtain the desired information.

[0189] The light guides 26, 27 can be produced with the rest of the housing 10, for example, using a two-component injection molding process.

[0190] The housing 10 is composed of a first housing part 11 and a second housing part 12. Each housing part 11, 12 has a rail holder 13 in each case. Corresponding rails 43 of the frame 30 are inserted into this rail holder 13 in order to arrange the two housing parts 11, 12 together and to seal the housing tightly.

[0191] In the housing 10, in particular in the second housing part 12, there is located a housing socket opening 15 for a socket 74.

[0192] For example, the section A-A in FIG. 5 shows a button projection 17 on the inside of the first housing part 11. This button projection 17 can be pressed on an associated button 73. For this purpose, the user presses the two housing parts 11, 12 against each other.

[0193] The key bow 2 has a relatively large actuating section 16, which is designed to be flexible in such manner that it can be pushed in by the user to actuate the button 73. The user does not thereby have to look for a specific, small place on the key bow 2 in order to actuate the button 73, but can press on the relatively large actuating section 16.

[0194] For example, the views in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 illustrate that a relatively large area of the first housing part 11 is designed as an actuating section 16. This actuating section 16 is surrounded all around by a support section 18. Any region of the first housing part 11 that does not form the actuating section 16 is assigned to this support section 18.

[0195] The light guide 26 of the first housing part 11 is arranged in the actuating section 16.

[0196] In particular, the first housing part 11 has a flat end surface 29 on one of the two broad sides 93. This flat end surface 29 is largely formed by the actuating section 16. At least a rear part of the flat end surface 29 is designed as a support section 18. In addition, the first housing part 11 comprises an edge section 20 which extends all around the flat end surface 29. This edge section 20 is also part of the support section 18.

[0197] In order to achieve a correspondingly flexible design of the actuating section 16, the flat end surface 29 can have different wall thicknesses. In particular, the representation in FIG. 6 shows that in the region of the end surface 29, a first thin wall thickness 21 and a second thicker wall thickness 22 are provided. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the two wall thicknesses 21, 22 merge into one another with a step 19. Alternatively, a plurality of steps or a continuous change in the wall thickness can also be provided here.

[0198] In order that the two housing parts 11, 12 cannot be pressed too far or too hard against one another, a support column is provided, which is formed from a first support column part 23 and the inside of the first housing part 11 and a second support column part 24 on the inside of the second housing part 12. When the actuating section 16 is pushed in, the two support column parts 23, 24 meet to form the support column.

[0199] For example, FIG. 8 shows that the first housing part 11 has a receiving groove 25 for inserting an insert element 54. This makes it possible to arrange the insert element 54 on the housing 10.

[0200] The exploded representation in FIG. 2 shows that a seal 28 can be inserted between the two housing parts 11, 12. Alternatively, this seal 28 can also be part of one of the two housing parts 11, 12, for example by way of a two-component injection molding process.

[0201] The frame 30 of the key bow 2 is formed by a first frame part 31 and a second frame part 32.

[0202] The first frame part 31 has a front section 33. The key shank 50, in particular a key shank main body 51, is located on this front section 33. This key shank main body 51 is formed monolithically together with the first frame part 31, for example cast together from metal. The key shank 50 and the frame 30 are therefore rigidly connected to one another.

[0203] Two front legs 34 of the first frame part 31 extend from the front section 33 in the direction of the rear side 96. As a result, the first frame part 31 is formed in the shape of a fork together with the key shank main body 51.

[0204] The second frame part 32 is designed to be U-shaped and thereby comprises a rear section 35 parallel to the front section 33. Two parallel rear legs 36 extend from this rear section 35 in the direction of the front side 95.

[0205] The two frame parts 31, 32 are connected to one another via two connection points 37. Each connection point 37 has two locking lugs 38 and two associated counter locking points 39. Through these connection points 37, the two frame parts 31, 32 are connected to one another in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner.

[0206] The frame 30, in the exemplary embodiment shown the second frame part 32, has a frame socket opening 41 through which the socket 74 is accessible.

[0207] The frame 30 has a grip region 40 on each of the two narrow sides 94. The two grip regions 40 each form a top surface of the key bow 2, which can be gripped by the user in order to rotate the key 1 in the locking device 101. The torque can be transmitted directly to the key shank 50 through the grip regions 40, which are located directly on the frame 30. There are no undesirable strains on the housing 10.

[0208] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the two grip regions 40 extend parallel and spaced apart from the longitudinal axis 90. In particular, the two grip regions 40 are formed by the two front legs 34 and the two rear legs 36.

[0209] The two grip regions 40 extend over the entire length of the key bow 2.

[0210] As already described, the key shank 50 comprises the key shank main body 51, which is a monolithic component of the first frame part 31. This key shank main body 51 has two shank legs 52 spaced apart from one another and a shank leg connection 53. The shank leg connection 53 connects the two shank legs 52 to one another at the front end of the key 1.

[0211] Furthermore, the key shank 50 comprises the insert element 54, in particular made of plastic. This insert element 54 is inserted between the two shank legs 52. In particular, the sectional representation C-C in FIG. 7 illustrates that the insert element 54 is located between the two shank legs 52 and is connected to both shank legs 52 via a tongue-and-groove connection 58.

[0212] At least two transmission elements 55 extend inside the insert element 54. Since the key 1 is designed as a reversible key, at least two of these transmission elements 55 are provided. The transmission elements 55 serve to transmit electrical energy and electronic data to the locking device. The electronic data is used to determine an access authorization or comprises an opening command, which actuates the actuator in order to enable the locking element to be withdrawn.

[0213] In the region of the key shank 50, the two transmission elements 55 each have a locking device contact surface 56. The respective locking device contact surface 56 is exposed on the top surface of the key shank 50 and can therefore be used for data and/or energy transmission to the locking device 101.

[0214] Inside the key bow 2, the transmission elements 55 each have a circuit board contact surface 57 in order to connect the two transmission elements 55 to the circuit board 71 in an electrically conductive manner.

[0215] On the circuit board 71 there is located the button 73 already described, which can be pressed by the actuating section 16, in particular via the button projection 17.

[0216] Furthermore, the socket 74 is located on the circuit board 71, here designed as a USB-C socket.

[0217] A column recess 72 is located relatively close to the button 73, here as a hole. The support column, formed by the two support column parts 23, 24, protrudes through this column recess 72.

[0218] On the circuit board 71 there is located a wireless communication module 78, designed for near-field communication with the device 103.

[0219] FIG. 9 further illustrates that an energy storage device 85 for powering the electronics 70 and/or the locking device 101 is arranged inside the key bow 2. This energy storage device 85 can be charged via the socket 74, for example.

[0220] The button 73 must be actuated in order to communicate with the device 103 via near-field communication. If the button 73 has not been pressed shortly beforehand, the wireless communication module 78 is asleep, such that electrical energy from the energy storage device 85 can be saved.

[0221] FIG. 12 shows an example of patterns in terms of light color, intensity and flashing pattern for different trigger events. The patterns reflect different information.

[0222] At least one group of information preferably has its own color here. For example, the color blue is used, in particular exclusively, to represent information regarding communication with the device 103. Different flashing patterns can represent different information regarding communication with the device here: For example, a long blue light indicates that a connection is being established, i.e. a search for the communication connection, while a short blue flashing multiple times indicates the existing communication connection. The search for the communication connection can be e.g. pairing. In particular, the color white is used exclusively to represent information regarding the charge status of the energy storage device 85. The color green is only used to indicate an access authorization. On the other hand, red is used for both an error display and a lack of an access authorization and thus for a plurality of groups of information.

[0223] The light intensity I over time t is represented in FIG. 12. Each of the five patterns represented one above the other begins with a single trigger event, in particular at time 0. The trigger event arises from a conscious action by a user.

[0224] Accordingly, in the top time bar represented, when pressing 301 the button 73 as a trigger event, blue light (b) with two successive patterns can be emitted. Each pattern comprises a different flashing pattern. The first flashing pattern long provides the information that a connection to the device 103 is being established. The second flashing pattern short short represents that a communication connection to the device 103 exists.

[0225] In the second time bar from the top, the trigger event is designed as connecting 304 a charging cable to the socket 74. Thereafter, two consecutive patterns of white light (w) are emitted. Each pattern comprises a different flashing pattern. The first flashing pattern with short white light emissions is emitted as long as the charging process of the energy storage device 85 continues. The second flashing pattern with a sustained white light emission is output when the energy storage device 85 is charged, provided that the charging cable is still in the socket 74. In the first flashing pattern, the light intensity I and/or the duration of the individual light signals can increase over time t.

[0226] In the third time bar from the top and removing 303 the key 1 from the locking device 101 as a trigger event, blue (b) can be flashed twice and red (r) once, for example. Two different items of information are represented here one after the other using different patterns that differ in color and flashing pattern.

[0227] The first pattern in blue (b) color with a short short flashing pattern is the information that a connection to the device 103 has been established. For example, when the key 1 is removed, information data about the time of the access request, about the locking device 101 and about the existing or lacking access authorization can be transmitted to the device 103 from the key 1. This allows a database of access events to be maintained.

[0228] The red (r), long light signal long as a pattern reflects an error. This indicates that the information data has not been successfully transmitted to the device. It is possible that more detailed information about the error will now be output on a screen of the device 103.

[0229] However, if the information data was transmitted without errors, the second pattern with the red, long light signal is absent.

[0230] The light emissions represented on the two lower time bars are each triggered by the trigger event of inserting 302 the key 1 into the locking device 101. In the two lower time bars, a pattern consisting of a long white (w) light signal is initially emitted. This indicates that the charge status of the energy storage device 85 falls below a limit value stored in the electronics 70.

[0231] In the second lowest time bar, two short red (r) light signals follow as a second pattern. These indicate that there is no access authorization. On the other hand, in the lowest time bar, the long white signal is followed by a medium-long green (g) signal as a second pattern that represents the existing access authorization.

[0232] If the charge status of the energy storage device 85 is above the limit value, then the first pattern is absent and only the pattern for lacking access authorization or existing access authorization is emitted.

[0233] Information about the key 1, e.g. the charge status of the energy storage device 85 or the connection to the device 103 can be represented by the light device 75. Likewise, information regarding the locking device 101, e.g. existing or lacking access authorization can be represented.

[0234] Contrasting information, e.g. an existing or lacking access authorization, are not only represented by the different colors green and red, but also by the different flashing patterns medium or short short. This allows a color-blind user to distinguish between contrasting information.

[0235] For example, with the help of the device 103, e.g. an app installed on the device 103, it can be configured for which events light from the light device 75 should be emitted. Thus, it may be desirable to protect the energy storage device 85 and e.g. not to have the information about the access authorization represented by the light device 75. Such a configuration is transferred from the device 103 to the key 1 and stored in the electronics 70.

[0236] FIG. 10 illustrates a state during the assembly of the key 1 according to the disclosure. Accordingly, the two housing parts 11, 12 are first placed one on top of the other. The electronics 70, in particular also the energy storage device 85, are already located between the two housing parts 11, 12. Furthermore, the insert element 54 is inserted between the two housing parts 11, 12.

[0237] In order to press the two housing parts 11, 12 firmly onto one another and thereby in particular to compress the seal 28, the described rail holders 13 are provided in the two housing parts 11, 12, which are pushed into the associated rails 43 of the two frame parts 31, 32. The two frame parts 31, 32 can be pushed onto the housing 10 simultaneously or one after the other.

[0238] During this assembly process, the insert element 54 already connected to the housing 10 is inserted through an insert element through-opening 42 in the first frame part 31 and can thus be inserted between the two shank legs 52.

[0239] FIG. 11 illustrates an assembly method 200 for this exemplary embodiment. First, in an assembly method step a) 201, the electronics 70 and the energy storage device 85 are thereby surrounded by the housing 10. The housing 10 is then attached to the frame 30 in an assembly method step b) 202.

[0240] In assembly method step b) 202, the rail holders 13 are pushed into one another with the rails 43 and at the same time the insert element 54 is pushed into the key shank main body 51.