WO2018109240A1

WO2018109240A1 - Safety lock

Info

Publication number: WO2018109240A1
Application number: PCT/ES2016/070887
Authority: WO
Inventors: Asier LUENGO GABARAIN; Eugenio CARTAGENA YANCI; Jose Maria GALLEGO BASARTE; Jaione MARTINEZ SAEZ DE MATURANA
Original assignee: Talleres Aga, S.A.
Priority date: 2016-12-13
Filing date: 2016-12-13
Publication date: 2018-06-21

Abstract

Lock (100) comprising a main casing (1) and a second casing (2) which can be fixed to the leaf (3a) and the frame (3b) of a door (3) respectively, said casings facing one another. The main casing (1) comprises an actuator having a retracted position in which the door (3) can open and an extended position in which the door (3) is prevented from opening. The lock (100) also comprises detection means for detecting the presence of a user in an indoor area (4B) or an outdoor area (4A) relative to the door (3), and control means acting on the actuator depending on the detection carried out. The control means and the detection means are arranged in the main casing (1). The main casing (1) is fixed to the door (3) in the indoor area (4B).

Description

DESCRIPTION

"Safety lock"

SECTOR OF THE TECHNIQUE

The present invention relates to security locks and more specifically to electromechanical door locks.

PREVIOUS STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Electromechanical drive locks in general are known. In these locks the traditional key that acts on the actuator or latch to open or close the door is replaced by an electronic system.

In general, in said locks a remote control (for example a remote control) carried and operated by the user activates the electronic system to order the opening of the door.

It is also known to use cards that communicate through a radio frequency (RF) signal with the lock. In this case, the user must bring said card to the lock so that the lock recognizes it and the door is opened.

On the other hand, there are also electronic locks that comprise detection means capable of detecting if a user is in the inner zone or in the outer zone of the door. In this sense, WO2013138791 A1 discloses an electronic lock for a door that interacts with an electronic key through a radio frequency signal. Said lock comprises an outer handle, incorporated in a frame that is visible from the outside, and an inner handle that is also incorporated in a frame. The lock also comprises several RF (radiofrequency) antennas arranged in both frames, that is inside and outside, to detect the presence of the user. The outdoor antenna detects the user (who carries the corresponding electronic key) when it is in the outer area of the door and within a range of action, and the indoor antenna detects the user when it is in the inner area of the door , also within a range of action.

WO2013138791 A1 also discloses that it is necessary to place more RF antennas, arranged at different heights, to ensure the detection of users of different heights or the detection of the electronic key regardless of where the user is carrying it (in the shirt pocket or in the pants pocket for example).

EXHIBITION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a security lock for doors, as defined in the claims.

The security lock of the invention comprises a main housing, which is apt to be fixed in the leaf of a door, and a second housing suitable to be fixed in the frame of said door so as to face the main housing. The door defines an inner zone and an outer zone. The main housing comprises an actuator comprising a retracted position in which the opening of the door is allowed and an advancing position in which said actuator cooperates with the second housing to lock the door. The lock of the invention also comprises detection means for detecting the presence of a user in the inner zone or in the outer zone, and control means acting on the actuator depending on the detection carried out by the detection means.

The control means and the detection means are arranged in the main housing, the main housing being configured to be fixed on the side of the door corresponding to the inner zone.

With the security lock of the invention it is achieved that it is invisible from the outer zone since all its components are hidden, that is to say there is no indication that there is a security lock or where said lock can be located, so so much is very difficult that this door can be violated from the Exterior.

On the other hand, the security lock of the invention is transparent to the user, that is to say the user does not have to physically act on the lock or ask the lock to open, or close, the same. When the user approaches the lock it detects the presence of the user and the lock opens automatically.

Likewise, since all the components of the lock are inside the main housing, the assembly of said lock on the door is very simple and can be arranged at any height, even below the door handle.

These and other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent in view of the figures and the detailed description of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a front view of the security lock according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the security lock of Figure 1 fixed on the right side of a door, ready for use.

Figure 3 is a first detail of the security lock of Figure 1.

Figure 4A is a second detail of the security lock of Figure 1 where the actuator is in the forward position and in the free state.

Figure 4B is a third detail of the security lock of Figure 1, wherein the actuator is in the forward position but in the locked state.

Figure 4C is a fourth detail of the security lock of Figure 1, wherein the actuator is in the reverse position and in the free state. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the security lock of Figure 1. Figure 6 is a front view of the electronic plate of the security lock of Figure 1. Figure 7 is a rear view of the electronic plate of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the electronic board of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the actuator of the security lock of Figure 1.

Figure 10A is a perspective view of the second housing of the security lock of Figure 1. Figure 10B is a perspective view of the reinforcement of the second housing of Figure 10A.

DETAILED EXHIBITION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the security lock 100 of the invention wherein said lock 100 comprises a main housing 1 and a second housing 2. The main housing 1 is suitable for being fixed on the sheet 3a of a door 3 and the second housing 2 is suitable to be fixed in the frame 3b of said door 3 so as to face the main housing 1. To this end, both the main housing 1 and the second housing 2 comprise means, for example holes, arranged in the rear part of both housings 1 and 2, suitable for cooperating with fastening means, for example screws, which allow both housings 1 and 2 to be fixed to the door 3 in a removable but reliable and robust manner. This fixing method allows the lock 100 to be disassembled at any time.

As shown in Figure 2, the door 3 delimits an inner zone 4B and an outer zone 4A, the sheet 3a of the gate 3 being the one that allows or restricts the passage from one area to the other. The main housing 1 comprises an actuator 5 comprising a retracted position in which the opening of the door 3 is allowed, as shown in the figure 4C, and an advancing position in which said actuator 5 cooperates with the second housing 2, as shown for example in Figures 1, 4A or 4B, to block the door 3 preventing it from being opened. The lock 100 of the invention also comprises detection means for detecting the presence of a user in the inner zone 4B or in the outer zone 4A, and control means 7 acting on the actuator 5 depending on the detection carried out by The means of detection.

The control means 7 and the detection means are arranged in the main housing 1, said main housing 1 being configured to be fixed on the side of the door corresponding to the inner area 4B, as shown in Figure 2. In this way, the lock 100 of the invention is invisible from the outer zone 4A, that is to say all the components of the lock 100 are arranged in the inner zone 4B and are not predictable from the outer zone 4A, which is very advantageous for avoid theft or robbery since the alleged offender is not aware that there is a security lock 100, and even more in what position he is. Therefore, it will be very difficult for the door 3 comprising the security lock 100 of the invention to be violated from the outside.

On the other hand, the security lock of the invention 100 is transparent to the user, that is to say the user does not have to physically act on the lock 100 or request the lock 100 to open or close it.

When the lock 100 is fixed to the door 3, in its normal state and when the door 3 is closed, the actuator 5 is in the forward position and in a locked state in which any movement of the actuator 5 is prevented, blocking door 3 and making it impossible for sheet 3a to be opened. When the user approaches the lock 100 from the outside it detects the presence of said user and the lock 100 is automatically unlocked, that is to say the actuator 5 retracts into the retracted position so that the opening of the leaf 3a is allowed .

Once the door 3 is opened, that is when the sheet 3a is separated from the frame 3b, the actuator 5 returns to the forward position but it is in a retractable state, that is, in a state in which movement is allowed axial of the actuator 5, or in other words in a state where the actuator 5 is not locked. To ensure that the door 3 closes when the user pushes the leaf of the door 3a with the intention of closing the door 3, and stays in said position, the actuator 5 comprises at its distal end, that is at the end cooperating with the second housing 2, an angular zone 5a, like that of most of the skid locks, as shown in Figure 9. Said angular zone 5a cooperates with the frame 3b of the door 3 when the door 3 is closed When the door leaf 3a is pushed to close, the actuator 5 being in the retractable state, said angular zone 5a allows the actuator 5 to return to the retracted position when it is pushed by the door frame 3b. When the door 3 is in the closed position the actuator 5 returns to the forward position thanks to the thrust of a spring 15, the distal end of the actuator 5 being trapped in the second housing 2. Once the door 3 is closed and past a preset (programmable) time the actuator 5 will go into the locked state, preventing the leaf 3a from being opened, the lock 100 being locked again. If the user, for whatever reason, does not open the door 3 once it has been unlocked, after a preset time (programmable) it will be locked again, that is, the actuator 5 will return to the forward position and to the locked state.

In short, provided that the door 3 is closed, the actuator 5 of the lock 100 according to the embodiment of the invention will be in the forward position and in the locked state, blocking the door 3. Likewise, when the lock 100 detects a user authorized outside, it is automatically unlocked by unlocking actuator 5 and moving it to the retracted position to allow door 3 to open. When door 3 is closed, lock 100 automatically locks again.

To know if the door 3 is open or closed (that is, in the closed position) the lock 100 according to the embodiment of the invention comprises a magnetic detector composed of a magnet 12a arranged in the second housing 2, as shown in figure 10B and a sensor 12b disposed in the main housing 1, as shown in figure 7. When said magnet 12a and said sensor 12b are aligned the magnetic detector determines that the door 3 is in the closed position.

The second housing 2 comprises a reinforcement 2a inside, as shown in Figure 10A. Both the outer part of the housing 2 and the reinforcement 2a comprise a recess 2b that cooperates with the actuator 5 allowing the distal end of said passage actuator 5 when it is in the forward position, thereby blocking the door 3.

For better compression, the cover of the second housing 2 in Figure 10A has been hidden.

The actuator 5 cooperates with an axle 16 which in turn is integral with a cogwheel 17a which cooperates with an auger 17b, as shown for example in Figure 4A. Optionally, other movement transmission mechanisms could also be used such as pinion-rack. One end of the shaft 16 is connected to the sprocket 17a eccentrically and the other end is housed in a torn hole 18 of the actuator 5 which allows the actuator 5 to move axially. To allow the actuator 5 to move from the retracted position to the forward position, it comprises elastic means, for example a spring 15, as shown for example in Figure 4A.

The locking mechanism that allows the actuator 5 to be locked or released comprises an arm 13 that can pivot with respect to an axis of rotation 13a. An area of said arm 13 is in contact with the sprocket 17a, which comprises at least one eccentric zone 18 with two outer diameters as shown in Figure 4A, so that the rotation of said wheel 17a causes the balance of the arm 13. The distal end of said arm 13 comprises a recess 13c that cooperates with one end of the actuator 5 when said arm 13 is in an active position, shown in Figure 4B, where the axial movement of the actuator 5 is hindered. When the arm 13 is in an inactive position, shown in Figures 4A or 4C, the recess 13c does not cooperate with the actuator 5 so that axial movement of said actuator 5 is not prevented.

To allow the inactive position to pass to the active position of the arm 13, this comprises a spring 13b. The said spring 13b pushes the arm 13 to the active position when the arm 13 is not pushed by the eccentric zone 18 of the sprocket 17a.

Most of the components of the lock 100 are located inside the main housing 1 and the rest of the components within the second housing 2, therefore the assembly of the lock 100 of the invention in the door 3 is very simple, being available at any height, even below the handle 3a. The detection means of the security lock 100 according to the embodiment of the invention comprise a first antenna 6a covering a first detection range corresponding to the outer zone 4A when the main housing 1 is fixed to the door 3, and a second antenna 6B covering a second detection range corresponding to the inner zone 4B when the main housing 1 is fixed to the door 3. Said antennas 6a and 6b are configured to detect an electronic portable device 8 carried by the user.

The antennas 6a and 6b, according to the embodiment of the invention, are Bluetooth antennas, preferably Bluetooth low energy antennas, commonly referred to as Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) antennas.

A portable device 8, according to the embodiment of the invention, can be a mobile phone or any other electronic device capable of communicating with the antennas 6a and 6b, preferably via Bluetooth, such as an electronic clock, an electronic tablet, an electronic key ring or an electronic card. The portable device 8 can be an emitting or receiving element (depending on the type of device) the antennas 6a and 6b being in turn emitting or receiving elements. The control means 7 of the security lock according to the embodiment of the invention are configured to identify whether a detected portable device 8 is an authorized device or not. When any of the antennas 6a or 6b detects a portable device 8 within one of the detection ranges of either of the inner 4B and inner 4A zones, an authentication protocol is established between said portable device 8 and the control means 7 In order for the lock 100 to unlock one of the conditions to be met is that said portable device 8 has to be authorized, for which a user, for example an administrator user, will previously have to program the lock 100 and enter the data of the portable devices 8 for the control means 7 to recognize (there may be more than one authorized portable device 8), being able to assign a different code to each user.

Each user will carry their corresponding portable device 8. If there is more than one authorized portable device 8, it is possible to assign to each user, through the portable device 8 of the administrator user, a different code to be able to customize different types of users and / or to keep an individual control of entries and Departures. By For example, it would be possible to restrict the opening time slot of door 3 to a specific type of user, for example, to service personnel, where unlocking of lock 100 is not allowed in said time slot, for example at night time or in holiday period.

The control means 7 comprise an algorithm that based on the difference in the intensity of the detection of both antennas 6a and 6b is able to determine if the detected portable device 8 is within the outer zone 4A or inside the inner zone 4B, therefore, the lock 100 of the invention knows if the authorized user wants to enter or exit.

As shown in Figures 3, 6 and 7, the security lock 100 according to the embodiment of the invention comprises within the main housing 1 at least one electronic circuit mounted on an electronic board 9, preferably a board of printed circuit, in which the control means 7 are arranged. The first antenna 6a is arranged on one of the faces of said electronic board 9 and the second antenna 6b on the other side, as shown in Figure 8.

The sensor 12b of the electromagnetic detector, shown in Figure 7, is also arranged in said electronic circuit, preferably on the face where the second antenna 6b is arranged although it is indifferent on which face it is placed, so that it faces the magnet 12a when Door 3 is closed.

In an embodiment of the invention, the control means 7 are configured to unlock the door 3 when the first antenna 6a detects an authorized portable device 8, that is when it is determined that said authorized portable device 8 is within the zone exterior 4A. In this case, as already detailed above, the lock 100 is automatically unlocked and the actuator 5 is brought to the reverse position to allow movement of the door leaf 3a.

The detection means, according to the embodiment of the invention, also comprise a proximity sensor 6c, the control means 7 being configured to unlock the door 3 when said sensor 6c detects the presence of a user wishing to open the door 3 to exit To the exterior. The sensor 6c is arranged in the main housing 1, as shown in Figures 4A, 4B or 4C, such that, when the main housing 1 is fixed to the door 3, said sensor 6c detects that the user has approximate his hand to the handle 3c of the door 3, which means that the user wants to go outside. In this way, the lock 100 of the invention is prevented from being continuously locked and unlocked as an authorized user (carrying an authorized portable device 8) moves near the lock 100, that is to say entering and leaving the area continuously interior 4B.

But if it is desired to increase security, the control means 7 can also be programmed to unlock the door 3 only if the control means 7 determine that there is also an authorized portable device 8 in the inner zone 4B, that is the requirement to allow The opening of the door 3 in this case is that the sensor 6c detects that the user has approximated his hand to the handle 3c and that the control means 7 determine that there is an authorized portable device 8 in the inner zone 4B. This configuration is advantageous, for example, to prevent children or persons with disabilities (for example, Alzheimer's sufferers) from accidentally opening the door.

In the embodiment of the invention, the proximity sensor 6c is a laser sensor that faces the handle 3c of the door 3 when the main housing 1 is fixed to the door 3.

In a variant of the invention, the detection means comprise two proximity sensors 6c and 6c ', as shown in Figures 4A, 4B or 4C, said sensors 6c and 6c' being arranged in the main housing 1 of such so that, when the main housing 1 is fixed to the door 3, one of said sensors 6c or 6c 'faces the handle 3c of the door 3 and detects that the user has approximated his hand to said handle 3c, regardless of whether the main housing 1 is fixed on the right side or on the left side of the door 3. The door 3 shown in figure 2 is a door that opens on the right side, therefore the lock 100 of the invention is arranged on the right side of the door 3. But as just mentioned, the lock 100 of the invention is also configured to be installed on the left side of the door 3 if it is opened on the left side. Once the lock 100 of the invention has been fixed to the door 3, only one of the two proximity sensors 6c and 6c 'is enabled. To do this, the lock 100 comprises means that enable only the sensor 6c or 6c 'which faces the handle 3c of the door 3.

In an embodiment of the invention said means comprise an accelerometer 10 which is arranged inside the main housing 1, preferably in the printed circuit 9.

Said accelerometer 10 can also comprise a gyroscope, which is advantageous not only for detecting the position of the lock 100 when fixed to the door 3 (right-left) but also for determining how open the door 3 is, and for detecting sharp accelerations of the leaf 3a of the door 3. Thanks to the accelerometer 10 and the gyroscope, the lock 100 of the invention is capable of differentiating normal openings of the door 3 from abrupt openings, for example caused by a malefactor.

Said means can also detect shocks and vibrations carried out on the door 3, for example by a thief who tries to access the property violently, in which case the control means 7 are configured to alert the user. The alert can be carried out in different ways, it can be an audible alert issued by the lock itself 100 to scare off the offender in situ and / or it can be in the form of a notification sent to the user, for example to an administrator user, through the device 8 portable. The lock 100 of the invention can comprise an antenna or wifi element to be able to connect remotely with said portable device 8. For example, an administrator user could remotely authorize, permanently or temporarily, other portable devices 8, which is interesting to allow the entry of friends, family, etc. in the absence of an authorized user.

Optionally, the lock 100 of the invention can also comprise a microphone 1 1, preferably arranged in the main housing 1, as seen in Figure 5. Said microphone 11 is suitable for listening to the ambient sound in the vicinity of the door 3 and can be used, together with the accelerometer 10, to identify the origin of a blow or vibration performed on the door 3. Therefore, in another variant of the invention the control means 7 are configured, through said microphone 1 1, to identify the origin of a blow or vibration performed on the door 3, which is advantageous to avoid false situations of alarm. The user could, for example, remotely identify if an alleged criminal is using a drill in which case he could call the police directly and avoid theft of the property.

The electronic components of the security lock 100 of the invention are powered by an autonomous power supply based on batteries 14 which are preferably arranged in the main housing 1. In the example of Figure 3 said autonomous power supply is made up of four batteries 14 that are distributed at the ends of the main housing 1. Optionally, the security lock 100 of the invention can also be supplied from the outside through an external power connector 19.

Claims

Security lock comprising a main housing (1) suitable to be fixed on the leaf (3a) of a door (3) that delimits an inner zone (4A) and an outer zone (4B), and a second housing (2) suitable for being fixed facing the main housing (1) in the frame (3b) of said door (3), the main housing (1) comprising an actuator (5) comprising a retracted position in which the opening of the door (3) and a position in advance in which said actuator (5) cooperates with the second housing (2) to block the door (3), the security lock (100) also comprising detection means for detecting the presence of a user in the inner zone (4B) or in the outer zone (4A), and control means (7) acting on the actuator (5) depending on the detection carried out by the detection means, characterized in that the control means (7) and the detection means are arranged in the main housing (1), being conf The main housing (1) is configured to be fixed on the side of the door (3) corresponding to the interior area.

Security lock according to claim 1, wherein the detection means comprises a first antenna (6a) covering a first detection range corresponding to the outer zone (4A) when the main housing (1) is fixed to the door (3 ), and a second antenna (6b) covering a second detection range corresponding to the inner zone (4B) when the main housing (1) is fixed to the door (3), said antennas (6a, 6b) being configured to detect a portable device (8) carried by the user.

Security lock according to claim 2, wherein the control means (7) are configured to identify whether a detected portable device (8) is an authorized device or not.

Security lock according to claim 3, comprising inside the main housing (1) at least one electronic circuit mounted on an electronic board (9) in which the control means (7) are arranged, the first one being arranged antenna (6a) on one of the faces of the electronic board (9) and the second antenna (6b) being arranged on the other side of said electronic board (9).

Security lock according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said antennas (6a, 6b) they are Bluetooth antennas, preferably Bluetooth LE antennas.

6. Security lock according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the control means (7) are configured to unlock the door (3) when said control means (7) determines that there is an authorized portable device (8) in the outer zone (4A).

7. Security lock according to any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the detection means also comprise at least one proximity sensor (6c), the control means (7) being configured to unlock the door (3) when the sensor (6c) detects that the user has approximated his hand to the handle (3c) of the door (3).

8. Security lock according to claim 7, wherein the control means (7) are configured to unlock the door (3) only if the control means (7) determine that there is also a portable device (8) authorized in the inner zone (4B).

9. Security lock according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said sensor (6c) is arranged in the main housing (1) such that, when the main housing (1) is fixed to the door (3), said sensor (6c) detects that the user has approximated his hand to the handle (3c) of the door (3).

10. Security lock according to any of claims 7 to 9, wherein said sensor (6c) is a laser sensor that faces the door handle (3c) (3) when the main housing (1) is fixed to the door (3).

1 1. Security lock according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the detection means comprise two proximity sensors (6c, 6c '), said sensors (6c, 6c') being arranged in the main housing (1) such that, when the main housing (1) is fixed to the door (3), one of said sensors (6c, 6c ') faces the door handle (3c) (3) and detects that the user has approached his hand to said handle (3c), regardless of whether the main housing (1) is fixed on the right side or on the left side of the door (3). 12. Security lock according to claim 11, comprising means for enabling only the sensor (6c, 6c ') facing the door handle (3c) once the main housing (1) is fixed to the door (3 ).

13. Lock according to claim 12, wherein the means for enabling only the sensor (6c, 6c ') facing the door handle (3c) (3) comprise an accelerometer (10) disposed inside the main housing (1). 14. Lock according to claim 12, wherein said accelerometer (7) comprises a gyroscope.

15. Lock according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein said means for enabling only the sensor (6c, 6c ') facing the handle (3c) are also configured to detect shocks and vibrations, the control means being (7) configured to alert the user in case said means to enable only the sensor (6c, 6c ') facing the handle (3c) detect knocks and / or vibrations in the door (3). 16. Lock according to claim 15, wherein the alert is an audible alert issued by the security lock (100) and / or a notification sent to a user.

17. Lock according to any of claims 3 to 16, wherein the control means (7) comprise a Wi-Fi element that allows communication with a user so that he can authorize, permanently or temporarily, other portable devices (8) remotely

18. Lock according to claim 17, wherein the main housing (1) also comprises a microphone (11) capable of listening to ambient noise in the vicinity of the door (3).

19. A lock according to claim 18, wherein said microphone (11) is also adapted to help the user differentiate between a regulated entry request and an unregulated entry request resulting from forced door manipulation.