EP0196989A1 - Electromechanical lock - Google Patents

Abstract

An electromechanical lock with coded keyboard programmable by several users. The lock is unlocked electrically by an eccentric, actuated by an electric motor, which acts on a trigger to unlock the device. The eccentric is a disk mounted eccentrically on a shaft of the electric motor. The rotation of the shaft causes the disk to turn, which, under the action of centrifugal force, strikes the trigger so as to free the bolt. A disk of plastic material is fixed concentrically with the axis of the motor, and a second disk of suitable mass is mounted on the first disk in an eccentric manner with respect to the shaft.

Description

The subject of the invention is an electromechanical lock which can be locked at the same time by several programmable codes, by one or more users and whose eccentric for unlocking the bolt is mounted, offset, directly on the axis of the motor.

There are already many electric code locks. These locks are generally used by a single user, which is not a problem. They are electrically powered by the sector, possibly backup batteries are installed.

Since these locks are used by a large number of people, the current locks are unsuitable. Thus, for example in the hotel industry, many customers follow one another and use the same lock. It is therefore necessary that the code be changed very quickly and that the management, for example, has several codes for the different services (maintenance, technical services, etc.). The user must be able to change his code himself as many times as he wishes. He should only be able to change his code when the door is open.

In the hotel industry, and more generally, in all establishments engaged in precarious leasing, keys have always posed serious problems for managers.

Each door must be provided with a specific key which will be entrusted to the client for the duration of their stay and, therefore, this key must not be able to open the other doors, and master keys which will allow personnel to '' access the rooms to carry out cleaning or maintenance, daily or accidental. The traditional locksmith has long satisfied this need by offering hierarchical lock barrels, but a customer can take his key and an employee can lose his "pass". For security reasons, in the first case, it will be necessary to change the barrel of the door concerned, in the second case, all the cannons obeying the lost master key.

This expensive procedure is simple, but how do you know if a client, or a former unscrupulous employee, has not had their key reproduced before returning it to Reception?

To avoid the systematic change of barrels, hoteliers have been offered locks controlled by badges or magnetic cards for several years. With these materials, it is the keys of a new type that are changed frequently, generally for each client, however barrel replacements are definitely excluded.

This solution is only partial, because it does not avoid cumbersome and expensive management of "key-badges" and does not eliminate the risk of theft a simple badge or a master key by an ill-intentioned individual.

Only the complete deletion of the keys, under all the physical appearances that they can borrow, could solve all the problems mentioned. Coded keyboards, which are currently flourishing on the facades of buildings and near the doors of housing, seem to be able to provide an interesting solution by removing the keys they bring. However, their design does not allow them to respond directly to the specific needs of the hotel industry. We will see why.

By using several numbers to control the unlocking of each door, we can achieve a very flexible hierarchy. A number, different for each door, is given to the customer. A second number, common to several doors, will allow the cleaning lady to enter the rooms for which she is responsible. A third number, giving access to all rooms, will be reserved for management. We can even introduce additional levels by adding other numbers. This, current coded keyboards allow you to do this correctly, but they must be programmed by a manager for all of their numbers and this characteristic arises from unacceptable constraints in the hotel industry. Indeed, if the numbers of higher hierarchical levels are few and will not change often, on the other hand, the numbers intended for the customers can change every day. Managing many secret code numbers which change often is very complex, on the other hand, the user has significant memory efforts to make to remember a number he has not chosen.

The lock according to the invention tends to solve all these drawbacks.

To this end, the coded keypad lock according to the invention comprises on its inner face a push button which makes it possible to program the secret code of the passing user and on its outer face a coded keypad.

The door can thus only be programmed by the passing user, when it is open, at least partially ajar. In addition to the digits from 0 to 9 and the normal keys of a keyboard, said keyboard can include one or more specific keys.

The specific keys will be used to control the opening of the door after having composed the program and / or to program secret codes for the service. Said lock combines a mechanical lock and an electric lock.

The electric unlocking of the lock uses a means eccentric office, powered by an electric motor, which acts on the unlocking trigger.

The eccentric is a disc mounted off-center on the axis of the electric motor. The rotation of said axis rotates the disc, which under the action of centrifugal force, strikes the trigger to release the bolt.

To the plastic disc is fixed, concentrically to the axis of the motor so as to be integral with it in rotation, a second disc having a sufficient mass, is fixed to the axis in an off-center manner.

Method for using the lock according to the invention 1 °. Method of use by the customer:

The customer finds the door to their room unlocked at the start of their rental. He must program his lock according to the indications given by the screen-printed text on the inside of the latter. This manual will be supplemented by an illustrated sheet which will be given to him at the reception, together with the number of his room.

The text and the drawings on this sheet will indicate to him that he will have to open his door and stand in front of his song to be able to access both sides of the lock simultaneously. With his left hand, he will press the internal electrical push-button and with his right hand he will carry out the operations requested on the keyboard. Without releasing the pressure on the internal electric push-button, which would have the effect of interrupting the operation and forcing it to start again at the starting point, it will dial a four-digit secret code number, of its choice, on the decimal keyboard. After successively pressing the four digits of the combination, he will press one of the specific keys. Programming will then be completed and the new secret code written in memory in place of the previous number. The customer can repeat this programming operation as often as he wishes.

As soon as the programming is completed, the customer can try his code number according to the instructions for use indicated on the external face of the lock. Without changing position, after releasing the internal electric push button, it will lock the door by pressing the mechanical push button placed in the center of the interior handle. He can then verify that the exterior handle is blocked. To unlock it, he must first press one of the specific keys. He will then dial his four-digit code number on the decimal keyboard. He will finally press one of the specific keys, simultaneously with this pressure he will perceive a small click in the lock which indicates that the unlocking is carried out. The outside handle will again be free, causing the bolt to the lock.

To lock his door, either when he is in his room or when he leaves it, the client must press the mechanical push button located in the center of the interior handle. However, it will never be blocked, even when the door is locked, the exit from the room will always be free.

2 °. Employee use:

The administration of the club has nine secret code numbers which will allow it to achieve a very complete pyramid hierarchy. Each contributor will be given a secret code number that only he will know, along with the security manager. Using his number, he will be able to open the doors of the rooms to which he must have access and only these.

To unlock a door, the employee will have to use a procedure slightly different from that of the client. Instead of starting by pressing one of the specific keys, he will first press the first digit of his combination, an invariable number that always precedes the four-digit secret code. For example, housekeepers will be assigned coded combinations starting with the number 1 (first level in the hierarchy, with management having the number 9 corresponding to the highest level). The rest of the operation is similar to that of customers.

Programming of secret service code numbers must be carried out by the security manager or by a person delegated by him. The operation must be preceded by two simultaneous coded combinations which have been programmed in the factory and which can be modified, if necessary, by removing the lock and replacing a programmable memory.

The outer handle has in its center a lock barrel. Its action takes priority over the electronic functioning of the system.

The lock according to the invention is powered by two flat batteries.

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective de la serrure électromécanique à clavier codé.
• La figure 2 est une vue en perspective, de la serrure électromécanique à clavier codé, mettant en évidence sa facilité de mise en place pour remplacer une serrure existante.
• La figure 3 est une vue en coupe latérale de la serrure passant au niveau de l'axe du pêne et de l'axe du moteur.
• La figure 4 est une vue en coupe selon l'axe A-A représenté à la figure 3.
• La figure 5 est une vue de côté de la serrure, vue sur le chant du c8té du pêne.
• La figure 6 est une vue du clavier.

The attached drawings given by way of indicative and non-limiting examples will make it easy to understand the invention. They represent a preferred embodiment according to the invention.

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of the electromechanical lock with coded keypad.
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of the electromechanical lock with coded keypad, highlighting its ease of installation to replace an existing lock.
• Figure 3 is a side sectional view of the lock passing through level of the bolt axis and the motor axis.
• FIG. 4 is a sectional view along the axis AA shown in FIG. 3.
• Figure 5 is a side view of the lock, seen on the edge of the bolt side.
• Figure 6 is a view of the keyboard.

The method of using the lock according to the invention will easily make it possible to understand the invention.

1 °. Method of use by the customer:

The client finds door 3 of their room unlocked at the start of their rental. He will have to program his lock 1 according to the indications given by the screen-printed text on the inside of the latter. This manual will be supplemented by an illustrated sheet which will be given to him at the reception, together with the number of his room.

The text and the drawings on this sheet will indicate to him that he will have to open his door 3 and stand in front of his edge 2 to be able to simultaneously access the two sides 4, 5 of lock 1. With his left hand, he will press the push button electric 6 on the internal side of door 3 and with his right hand he will carry out the operations requested on the keyboard 7. Without releasing the pressure on the internal electric push-button 6, which would have the effect of interrupting the operation and force to start over at the starting point, he will dial a four-digit secret code number, of his choice, on the decimal keyboard 7. After having successively pressed the four digits of the combination, he will press the specific key 20. The programming will then be completed and the new secret code written in the memory in place of the previous number. The customer can repeat this programming operation as often as he wishes.

As soon as the programming is completed, the customer can try his code number according to the user manual indicated on the external face 4 of the lock 1. Without changing position, after releasing the internal electric push button 6, he will lock the door 3 by pressing the mechanical pusher 8 placed in the center of the interior handle 9. He can then verify that the exterior handle 10 is blocked. To unlock it, he must first press the specific key 20. He will then dial his four-digit code number on the decimal keyboard. Finally, he will press the specific key 20, simultaneously with this pressure he will perceive a small click in the lock 1 which indicates that the unlocking is carried out. The exterior handle 10 will again be free, driving the bolt 11 of the lock.

To lock his door 3, either when he is in his room or when he leaves it, the client will have to press the mechanical push button 8 placed in the center of the interior handle 9. However, it will never be blocked, even when door 3 is locked, the exit from the room will always be free.

2 °. Employee use:

To unlock a door 3, the employee must first press the first digit of his combination, unchanging number which always precedes the four-digit secret code. For example, housekeepers will be assigned coded combinations starting with the number 1 (first level in the hierarchy, with management having the number 9 corresponding to the highest level). The rest of the operation is similar to that of customers.

The outer handle 10 has at its center a lock barrel 12. The action thereof has priority over the electronic operation of the system. These keys will not be distributed, but kept by the security manager and used only as a last resort in the event of the electronic failure of the lock.

The lock according to the invention is powered by two flat batteries 13 of 4.5 volts. These batteries 13 allow autonomy greater than one year, under average conditions of use. Their periodic replacement must be organized systematically.

Programming method for "service" numbers

-1 ^0. Press the keys of the first simultaneous coded combination: for example: 3, 6 and 9.

Perfect simultaneity, in the beginning of the action on each key is not compulsory.

2 °. Press the keys of the second simultaneous coded combination: for example: 1, 2, 4 and 8 ..

3 °. Check that the red indicator 23, seen in transparency on the front face, lights up. If not, repeat the procedure at the beginning.

4 °. Dial the four-digit secret code number to be programmed, preceded by its serial number: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9; for example: 3 1515.

5 °. Press the specific key 21.

The nine numbers can be programmed successively, they must be followed each time by pressing the specific key 21.

6 °. Once the programming operation has been completed, press the unmarked key 23, located to the right of the decimal keyboard 7. The red light 22 goes out and lock 1 can be used again.

A method of unlocking with a number of _"B ervice"

• 1 °. Dial the five digits of the code number you have been given, without pressing one of the specific keys.
• 2 °. Press the specific button 21.
• 3 °. Use handle 10 to open door 3.

Do not forget to press the mechanical button 8, placed in the center of the interior handle 9, before leaving the room.

Means for electrically unlocking the lock:

The function to be exercised is similar to that necessary for unlocking an electric strike: it is necessary to act on a trigger to release a mechanism, previously armed by manual effort, which moves under the action of a spring. The universally adopted solution for achieving this function involves the use of an electromagnet which acts directly, or indirectly, on the trigger. The energy efficiency of this solution is extremely poor and the resulting assemblies are generally delicate and therefore not very reliable.

The solution chosen by the inventors is an original solution which directly uses the axis of an electric motor.

A plastic disc 14 is fixed concentrically to the axis 15 of the motor 16 so as to be integral with it in rotation. A second disc 17, made of metal to have sufficient mass, is fixed to the first, but this time off center. When the motor 16 starts to rotate, the metal disc 17, under the action of centrifugal force, acts as an eccentric and comes to strike the trigger 18 to release it. This device has the advantage of benefiting from the electrical efficiency of the motor 16, much higher than that of an electromagnet for a large mechanical stroke, and of not requiring any permanent connection between the parts linked to the motor and the trigger. On the other hand, it allows several successive tests to be carried out automatically, if the first is not successful.

When the engine 16 starts, it has no additional effort to those required by the drive of the two discs 14, 17 to be exerted.

The action on the trigger takes place only after it has gained sufficient speed, which makes it possible to benefit from the kinetic energy acquired.

Whatever the angular position of the discs 14, 17 when the engine 16 stops, the trigger 18, is released by the fall of the metal disc 17, under the action of gravity, which makes it possible to easily reset the lock 1.

The electronic part is not shown in the figures. The integrated circuits of other parts are connected by lines 19 which are alone shown from the keyboard 7.

Claims (7)

1. Method of using an electromechanical lock with coded keypad characterized in that the method of use by the client is as follows; the client finds the door (3) of his room unlocked at the start of his rental; he must proceed with the programming of his lock (1), which he is the only one to know, according to the indications given by the screen-printed text on the internal face thereof; this manual will be completed by an illustrated sheet which will be given to him at the reception, together with his room number; the text and the drawings on this sheet will indicate to him that he will have to open his door (3) and stand in front of his edge (2) to be able to access simultaneously the two sides (4, 5) of the lock (1); with his left hand he will press the electric push button (6) on the internal side of the door (3) and with his right hand he will carry out the operations requested on the keyboard (7); without releasing the pressure on the internal electric push button (6), which would have the effect of interrupting the operation and forcing it to start over at the starting point, it will dial a four-digit secret code number of its choice , on the decimal keyboard (7); after successively pressing the four digits of the combination, he will press the specific key (20); programming will then be completed and the new secret code, known only to the user of the room, written in the memory in place of the previous number; the customer can repeat this programming operation as often as he wishes; as soon as the programming is completed, the customer can try "his" code number according to the instructions for use indicated on the external face (4) of the lock (1); without changing position, after releasing the internal electric push button (6), it will lock the door (3) by pressing the mechanical push button (8) placed in the center of the interior handle (9); he can then verify that the outer handle (10) is blocked; to unlock it, he must first press the specific key (20); he will then dial his four-digit code number on the decimal keyboard; he will finally press the specific key (20), simultaneously with this pressure he will perceive a small click in the lock (1) which indicates that the unlocking is carried out; the outer handle (10) will be free again driving the bolt (11) of the lock; to lock his door (3), either when he is in his room or when he leaves it, the client must press the mechanical push button (8) placed in the center of the interior handle (9); on the other hand, it will never be blocked, even when the door (3) is locked, the exit from the room will always be free. 2. Method of using an electromechanical lock with a coded keypad according to claim 1, characterized by the fact: - that the procedure for use by employees is as follows: to unlock a door (3), the employee must first press the first digit of his combination ("service code"), unchanging digit which always precedes the four-digit secret code; for example, housekeepers will be assigned coded combinations starting with the number 1 (first level of hierarchy, the management having the number 9 corresponding to the highest level); the rest of the operation is similar to that of customers. 3. Electromechanical lock with coded keypad comprising, on its inside face, a push button (6) which makes it possible to program the secret code of the passing user and the secret service code (s) and, on its outside face (5) , a coded keyboard (7),; said lock comprises in addition to the keys corresponding to the normal keys of a keyboard (7), said keyboard (7) comprises one or more specific keys (20, 21) which are controlled for the opening of the door (3) after having composed the program and / or for programming secret codes for the service for the implementation of the method according to any one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that: - The electric unlocking of the lock uses a means (17) acting as an eccentric, actuated by an electric motor (16), which acts on the trigger (18) for unlocking. 4. Electromechanical lock with coded keypad according to any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that: - the eccentric (17) is a disc mounted off-center on the axis (15) of the electric motor (16); the rotation of said axis (15) rotates the disc, which under the action of centrifugal force, strikes the trigger (18) to release the bolt. 5. Electromechanical lock with coded keyboard according to any one of claims-2, 3 or 4 characterized in that: - plastic disc (14) is fixed, concentrically to the axis (15) of the motor (16) so as to be integral with it in rotation, a second disc (17) having a sufficient mass, which is fixed to the axis off-center. 6.Electromechanical lock with a coded keyboard according to any one of claims 2, 3, 4 or 5 characterized in that: - plastic disc (14) is fixed concentrically to the axis (15) of the motor (16) so as to be integral with it in rotation; a second disc (17), made of metal to have sufficient mass, is fixed to the first, but in an off-center manner this time, when the motor (16) starts to rotate, the metal disc (17), under the action of force centrifugal, acts as an eccentric and strikes the trigger (18) to release it. 7. Electromechanical lock with coded keypad according to any one of claims 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 characterized in that: - starting the engine (16), it has no additional effort to those required by the drive of the two discs (14, 17) to be exerted; the action on the trigger occurs only after it has gained sufficient speed, which makes it possible to benefit from the kinetic energy acquired; whatever the angular position of the discs (14, 17) when the engine is stopped (16), the trigger (18) is released by the fall of the metal disc (17), under the action of gravity, this which allows to easily reset the lock (1).

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