DE3049091A1 - Lock for briefcase - has electromotor for moving latch assembly to allow bolt to pivot out of eyelet - Google Patents

Abstract

The lock has a latch (8) spring-loaded (9) inside a sleeve (7) that slides axially inside a housing (6). The housing is hinged (16) at one end to the front edge of the briefcase (33) and carries an electromotor (3) whose spindle rotates a screw (5) that screws into one end of the sleeve and moves it axially inside the housing when the motor is excited. The motor turns the screw which moves the sleeve axially and causes the latch to disengage its stop (13). The housing can then be pivoted out (i.e. out of the front edge of the briefcase). The housing has a bolt (14) that locate in an eyelet (15) attached to the lid of the briefcase so that when the housing is pivoted out the bolt leaves the eyelet and allows the lid to be raised.

Description

Electromechanical lock

The invention relates to a particularly for suitcases, bags and other portable containers, but ucli suitable for doors of all kinds electromechanical lock, which essentially consists of a locking part and a Hook-in or snap-in part, a strike plate or the mark.

It is already known to unlock door locks electrically. For this one uses electromagnets, which as long as inan pressed a bell button and thereby energizing the magnets, cancel a lock so that the Lets the door open. Other known door locks have a cleverly lockable, bolt engaging in the strike plate. These locks are all constructive elaborate, voluminous and quite lucrative compared to purely mechanical locks.

The invention was based on the object of providing a universally usable one To develop an electromechanical lock that is simple and easy to use Manufacturing effort and reliable function should distinguish. To the castle independently to be able to use from the power supply network, which e.g.

a mandatory requirement when installing the lock in portable containers is, the power consumption should be so low that the lock also with frequent Operation with a standard battery over a longer period of at least can be fed for a few months.

It has now been shown that this task is technically more advanced Way can be solved when in a Schleß of the type mentioned in the locking part In addition, a slowly movable, electromechanically driven locking plexus is inserted, aer in the locked position prevents the lock from opening and which can be triggered by electrical imuise, with the help of a decoding circuit, is operated.

to adjust the locking bolt provided according to the invention is sufficient very little energy, because this bolt is only inside the locking part engages in the mechanism @ and - in the closed position of the lock - locks. The one in the strike plate, in an appropriate eyelet, in a hook or the like engaging bolt or locking bolt, which is the only one used in conventional locks is available and has to withstand relatively high forces, e.g. because it has the bottom of a trunk and case lid must hold together, on the other hand - after loosening the inventive, with the help of the electromechanical locking bolt set in motion via code signals - locked and released by hand.

For the same reason, it is sufficient to operate the locking device from a few rushing existing drive with a small construction volume, weshal @ itself the Invention in the form of a compact, relatively light and therefore also L lock suitable for portable containers can be realized, which is externally and in its dimensions of a purely mechanical lock, which I do not can be secured, hardly distinguishes.

To unlock and lock the lock is done with the help of an electronic The decoding circuit triggers a short pulse that moves the locking bolt from an end position shifts into the other or initiates the shift; in the latter case is the power supply for the drive of the locking bolt after reaching the respective End position interrupted immediately.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the all-drive mechanism is the locking bolt via a self-locking gear with a battery-powered electric motor coupled, which is set in motion by the electrical impulses and by end signals, which can be triggered in the two end positions of the locking bolt, is stopped. The drive mechanism that converts the rotational movement into a linear movement the locking bolt can be in the form of a worm gear or one with the locking bolt coupled rack, which is driven by a pinion, be formed.

In the two end positions of the locking bolt, the signal can be switched off the power supply through mechanical limit switches or with the help of an electronic one Component, weleines the increase of the electric motor when reaching the end position or when the motor shaft stops atoswertet absorbed current are generated.

The use of a stepper motor to drive the locking bolt is advantageous in special cases.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the locking bolt moved from one position to the other with the help of electromagnets. Through this constructive simplifications result; however, the peak current required is higher than when using an electric motor.

If the lock according to the invention has an elongated, swivel-mounted component with eiIi (m on this firmly attached locking hook, Locking bolt or the like, which in the closed position e.g. in a corresponding Striking plate, which engages in an eyelet or in a recess, becomes the locking bolt advantageously in the form of an axially displaceable sleeve with one in this Sleeve inserted pawl formed, which in the closed position on an abutment is applied, the locking part when the lock is triggered, i.e. after resetting the sleeve with the pawl under the action of a compression spring completely or can be swiveled out a little or swung out by hand.

In another embodiment of the invention, in which the lock via a guided, for opening and closing displaceable parallel to a support surface Lock part has, the locking bolt is perpendicular to the lock part through the support surface slidable through; the lock part has in this case in its contact side a recess in which the locking bolt arrests in the closed position of the lock intervenes.

Finally, it is also provided according to the invention, the locking bolt or to design the pawl to be linearly displaceable against the pressure of a lever, so that the lock when the locking bolt is first reset and then the lock is pressed shut by hand, can click into place.

Further features, advantages and possible uses of the invention are based on the following explanations based on the attached block diagram specific embodiments of the invention. It shows Figure 1 in perspective Representation, schematically simplified, a suitcase with a lock of the invention Art, tiqur 1a an enlarged view of another type of lock according to Figure 1, Figure 2 in an enlarged view in section through the case wall along the line AB, a view in the direction of the arrow C in FIG. 1 of an embodiment of the lock according to the invention in the closed position (Figure 2a), during the opening process (Figure 2b) and after locking again, but before locking (Figure 2c), 'icJul-en 3 in the same representation as Figure 2 is a further embodiment of the Castle according to the invention Since the advantages of the lock according to the invention in its Installation in portable containers will be particularly clear, refer to the following in detail described types of execution on locks, which - by no means only, but especially - are suitable for suitcases and bags.

The case shown in Figure 1 is only right with a lock of the Equipped type according to the invention, since a one-sided fuse is sufficient. The dashed line represents the locking bolt 14 with the one in the case base 33 built-in locking part 1 of the lock according to the invention is firmly connected, engages in the eyelet 15, also indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 1, with the case lid 34 is rigidly connected. If the case 33, 34 is closed, only the front of the Closing part 1 visible.

Such detents 14, 15 are conventional; the left suitcase lock 32, which cannot be secured, has the same locking mechanism, but the cannot be backed up.

After the tripping and unlocking of the right lock, the locking bolt 14 can be pulled out of the eyelet and - as soon as the left lock 32 is unlocked - open the case lid 34. the The lock is unlocked in the embodiment shown here Invention with the aid of the two buttons arranged below the handle 37 35, 36, which are actuated several times in a certain order according to a predetermined code Need to become. In the case of code recognition, electronics are not described in detail here triggered an impulse which leads to the unlocking of the lock according to the invention. A second impulse, which is triggered automatically after a few seconds, sets the lock restore; this is explained in more detail below in the hand of FIGS. 2c and 3c.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 1a, there is a rigid one in the case lid 34 ' Hook 15 'attached, in the closed position of the lock-closing part in a corresponding opening 11 engages and is thereby hooked; such a design is e.g. for a locking part that shown in Figures 3 and 4 and based on these Locks described in the figures are particularly suitable.

Atof the representation of further details of the locking part 1 was in Figures 1 and 1a are omitted since the details from Figures 2 to 4 can be seen In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 2, the locking part 1 of the lock according to the invention in the form of an elongated component, that carries all the essential parts. This part of the bench is in an indentation inserted into the case wall 33 and can be moved around the axis 16 - see also Fig. 1- swivel out to the front.

The eyelet 15 shown in dashed lines is part of the in Figure 2a Case lid 34, not shown, as can be seen from a comparison with FIG. The locking bolt 14 engages in this eyelet in the closed position according to FIG. 2a and thus prevents the case lid from opening.

The locking bolt, essential to the invention, which secures the actual lock and prevents the detent 14, 15 from being released, consists in FIG. 2 of an axial in the housing 6 of the locking part 1 displaceable sleeve 7 into which a pawl 8 is inserted. To the left, the sleeve 7 has an internal thread into which the cylinder 5 provided with a corresponding external thread is used, the is driven by an Elelcto motor 3 via a reduction gear 4. Of the Cylinder 5 and sleeve 7 together form a worm gear that controls the rotational movement 111 converts a linear movement. Depending on the direction of rotation de @ cylinder 5 is therefore the sleeve 7 in the housing 6 to the right or left - relative to Figure 2a - shifted.

The pawl 8, which is on the drive or the rotating cylinder 5 opposite end in the sleeve 7 is against the pressure of the spring 9 axially displaceable. To setting of the spring pressure is used Adjusting screw 10 located inside the sleeve 7. In the closed position (Fig 2a) the pawl 8 rests on an abutment 13, which is part of the bottom of the case is. The locking bolt 14 locks in this position of the locking part 1 in the already described way the case lid.

Wlrd via the indicated supply lines 2 ci <-? R Klcktrc, lnc, (l, l j is set in motion in the "unlocking" direction, the sleeve 7 with the pawl 8 withdrawn, so that then the entire locking part in the one shown in Figure 2b Position can be swiveled out. The locking bolt 14 is thereby out of the eyelet 15 pulled out so that the case lid can now be lifted. It is appropriate to dimension the spring 17 so that after unlocking or unlocking the Closing part 1 swung out at least as far under the action of the compression spring 17 is, i.e. in an intermediate position between the positions according to Figure 2a and Figure 2b that the user engages in the previously concealed recess 25 and the lock can be opened completely by hand or the lock 14, 15 can be released.

After resetting the locking bolt, i.e. the sleeve 7 with the pawl 8, in the position shown in Figure 2c - what by restarting the electric motor 3 reached in the opposite direction of rotation compared to the opening process - can the pawl 8, since it is provided with an inclined sliding surface 18, be moved against the pressure of the spring 9 to the left that the lock engages and again assumes the position shown in Figure 2a.

To trigger the unlocking of the lock according to the invention electrically to be able to are some simple, not clar (c- asked electronic Components required. Starting from the closed position according to FIG. 2a is sufficient a short impulse to trigger the unlocking. This becomes a commercially available Toggle switch, e.g. a bistable multivibrator, is actuated, via which the motor 3 is switched on.

I) as reaching the end position according to Figure 2b, in which the case can open, is in an advantageous embodiment of the invention by sudden Increase in the nominal current of delll motor 3 fgenominenen current detected, creating a pulse to reset the toggle switch and the engine is switched off. To initiate or prepare the closing process, i.e. to postpone the Sleeve 7 with the pawl 8 in the position shown in Figure 2c, a further pulse is sufficient, via a second flip-flop the motor 3 in the opposite direction in Gear is set, which can be done in the simplest way by reversing the polarity of a DC motor can achieve. Here, too, the end position is determined by measuring the current rise determined when the motor shaft stops, the flip-flop is reset and the Circuit open.

A second special embodiment of the lock according to the invention shows Figure 3a. In this case it is a known type of lock, the one for opening and closing parallel to the case wall 33, 33 'slidably guided Has lock part 18 into which a locking bolt 21 engages. The function essential Lock part 18 is designed in such a way, i.e. provided with a latching opening 11, that - vql. Figure 1a - a hook 15 'attached to the case lid 34 in the position of the lock according to FIGS. 3b and 3c can engage laterally in the opening 11. After moving the lock part 18 to the left into the closed position shown in Figure 3a is then the egg hook 15 '(Figure 1a) and thus the case lid locked In the outer part 24, which, as can be seen from a comparison with Figures 3b and 3c, the Lock part 18 encloses and uur is open to support 33, there is one with the latching opening 11 corresponding, preferably a little larger opening 12, which allows the locking hook 15 '(Figure 1a) to be guided through unhindered.

In Figure 3, 33 symbolizes the inside, 33 the outer case wall. The entire drive for the locking bolt 21 of the lock according to the invention is in this embodiment arranged inside the case. The drive exists in turn from a direct current electric motor 3 with a reduction gear 4 and from a pinion 19, which sits on the AbS drive shaft of the transmission 4 and one Rack 20 shifts linearly. The connected to the rack 20 <oc locking bolt 21 engages in the closed position according to Figure 3a through the double case wall here 33, 33 'through into a recess or groove 22 on the wall of the case 33 pointing side, thus hidden, inserted into the displaceable lock part 18 is.

To trigger the unlocking according to the invention, the Motor 3 is set in motion by an impulse and, as soon as the rack 2Q reaches the in Figure 3b has reached the upper end position shown, via an electronic device, not shown or mechanical limit switch switched off. The locking bolt 21 is now the lock part 18 free, so that now (la; part 24 from the position according to FIG (ltr Figure 3b can be pivoted, whereby the lock part 18 is shifted to the right is so that the (not shown in Figure 2) locking hook 15 'from the latching opening 11, 12 can be lifted out (see. Also Figure 1a).

Also in the embodiment according to Figure 3, the locking bolt 21 is against the action of a compression spring 23 is linearly displaceable, so that too When the lock is open, initially the rack 20 into that shown in Figure 3a and 3c Moved closed position and then closed the container and the lock part 18 can be shifted until the bolt 21 engages in the groove 22 and thereby secures the lock.

Since the control of the motor 3 according to Figure 3 with the help of - not - limit switches and toggle switches of the control of the locking and locking mechanism according to Figure 2 is the same in all essential points, is also in this embodiment The power consumption is very low, so that normal batteries last for many months can guarantee the power supply. It is also clear from Figure 3 that only a few components in addition to the individual parts of the corresponding purely mechanical Lock are sufficient to achieve the desired electrically controllable locking device, i.e. to enable electrical locking and unlocking.

To operate the locking bolt are in the embodiment according to Figure 4 (instead of an electric motor with reduction gear, pinion and rack) two Electromagnets 27, 28 used. Since the lock according to FIG. 4 is the lock according to FIG 3 is the same in all other features, each cell is in the closed position in FIG 4 shown.

If the magnet 27 attracts, the locking bolt 26 is pulled upwards. Under the action of the spring 29, the bolt 30 slides into the recess 31 and stops the locking bolt in the (not shown) upper position in which the lock part is 18 can move freely. The closed position shown or a figure 3c corresponding position is restored by energizing the magnet 28, because by this magnet, the locking pin 30 is pulled out of the groove 31 and the Locking bolt 26 is adjusted under the action of the spring 32 towards the locking part 18.

To control the locks shown after the manure is after Enter the code via the buttons 35, 3 @ (see Figure 1) of the locking bolt for a short time reset, so that the now unlocked for a period of a few seconds Lock can be opened. After a few seconds, another short pulses; the locking bolt returned to its locking position so that either the lock is secured again, or if the suitcase has been opened in the meantime was, the next time the case is closed, the lock again from the one shown in Figure 2c and 3c in the secured position as shown in FIGS. 2a, 3a or 4 clicks into place.

Claims (11)

Claims Electromechanical lock, especially for suitcases, Bags and other portable containers, which essentially consist of a closing part and a hook or snap-in part, a striking plate or the like, characterized in that in the closing part (1, 1 ') additionally a longitudinally displaceable, Electromechanically driven locking bolt (7 + 8, 21, 26) inserted it, which is in the Locking position prevents the lock from opening and which is triggered by electrical impulses the flilt can be triggered with the aid of a decoding circuit, can be actuated. 2. Lock according to claim 1, characterized in that (la the locking bolt (7 + 8, 21, 26) via a self-locking gear (4) with a battery-powered one Electric motor (3) is coupled, which is set in motion by the electrical impulses and through end signals that appear in the two end positions of the locking bolt can be triggered, is stopped. 3. Lock according to claim 2, characterized in that the drive the locking bolt (7 + 8) is designed in the form of a worm gear (5,7). 4. Lock according to claim 2, characterized in that the drive of the locking bolt (21) from one of the gear (4) driven RiLzel (19) and a rack (20) which is coupled to the locking bolt (21). 5. Lock according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that that the Endsiqnale in both end positions of the locking device (7 + 8 21, 26) by mechanical Limit switches can be generated. G. Lock according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that that the end signals from the increase in the current consumed by the electric motor (3) can be derived when the end position is reached or when the motor shaft stops. 7. Lock according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that that the electric motor (3) is designed as a stepping motor. 8. Lock according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking bolt (26) can be moved into its two end positions with the aid of electromagnets (27, 28) is. 9. Lock according to one of claims 1 to 8, which as a locking part an elongated, pivotally attached component with one firmly attached to it Has locking hooks, locking bolts, or the like, which in the closed position into the associated Striking plate, engages in an eyelet or the like, characterized, that the locking bolt in the form of an axially displaceable sleeve (7) with one in this inserted pawl (8) is formed, which in the closed position on a Abutment (13) is applied, and that the locking part (1) when the lock is triggered, i.e. after resetting the sleeve (7) with the pawl (8), it can be swiveled out is. 10. Lock according to one of claims 1 to 8, with a guided, lock part that can be moved parallel to its supporting surface for opening and closing, characterized in that the locking bolt (21, 2 (,) perpendicular to the lock part (18) is displaceable through the support surface (24) so that the lock part (18) has a recess (22) pointing towards its support surface and that the locking bolt (21) in the closed position of the lock into the recess (22) - intervenes in a locking manner 11. Lock according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that that to engage the lock the locking bolt (21, 2 (j) or the pawl (8) are designed to be linearly displaceable against the pressure of a spring (9, 23).