EP0881346A1 - Engagement device for locking and unlocking a preset opening lock - Google Patents

Abstract

The drive consists of a motor (MT), a transmission mechanism (28) and a lock assembly which is connected mechanically to the motor via the transmission mechanism so it can be set in active and inactive positions. It also contains elastic elements (48) which allow the lock assembly to be armed when moved by the motor into its active position. The elastic elements are mounted on the motor drive shaft (46) and comprise at least one radial arm (51) which can be operated by the motor and is designed to interact with the transmission mechanism to move the lock assembly into its active position. They can be, for example, in the form of two arms (50, 51) in a forked configuration, both driven by the motor and interacting with the transmission mechanism to move the lock assembly into both its active and inactive positions.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for locking and locking unlocking of a conditional opening lock.

More particularly, the invention relates to the application of this device to a so-called time lock with a high degree of security, intended to control, on specified time slots, access to high-level speakers security, such as safes or bedrooms strong for example from bank branches.

Such a device and a time lock of this type are described in patent EP 0 256 430.

A security package described in this document and incorporating this device and this lock, is shown very schematically, in Figures 1a and 1b, at explanatory purposes.

As described in this document and as shown in Figure 1a, the closing of a PO door of a safe or any other high security enclosure (this door being seen from the inside in Figure 1a), is done, generally using several PT bolts controlled by a TR linkage, this linkage can be moved, by an operator, using a VO steering wheel, from a position lock to an unlock position and Conversely.

For this purpose, the TR linkage includes a bar B which controls the movement of the bolts PT of the door PO and which is coupled to the VO steering wheel, via a wheel-rack type mechanism.

This bar B can be moved, in translation, under the action of the VO steering wheel, to order the movement PT bolts and to ensure the operations of locking (bolts out) and unlocking (bolts returned).

To prevent the PO door from opening and maintain the TR linkage in the locked position when the PT bolts are in this position, this set includes a first lock S which is itself provided with a bolt PS planned to come to engage in the bar B. The bolt PS is therefore provided to block the translational movement of bar B.

This first lock S can be ordered, in the simplest version by a key, or even by more sophisticated means, such as a magnetic card, a smart card or a functioning electronic system with a code or other type of access authorization.

However, in order to raise the level of security and to prevent any fraudulent use of this first lock S, we associate a second lock SH so-called time lock.

This SH time lock also has its own PV bolt, which is more generally called bolt or locking block and which is intended to be placed on the way to bar B, in order to hinder his movement to the unlocked position. In the high position of the PV block shown in FIG. 1a, the barre B therefore comes butter, by its rear end, against the PV block.

The PV locking block is associated, in this time lock SH, to a DEN drive device, comprising in particular (FIG. 1b) a motor electromagnetic MEL and an MCL mechanism comprising a CA cam formed to drive a lever LE.

Thus, in normal operation, the block of PV lock can occupy a so-called high position active, shown in Figure 1a, preventing the displacement of the bar B and blocking the PO door of the enclosure.

The PV block can be brought down in a low position called inactive (Figure 1b), by the lowering of the lever LE, under the action of the engine MEL. In this low position of the PV block, the bar B can be moved back, in order to release the PT bolts from the TR linkage. We thus cleared the path of bar B to allow opening the door.

This DEN training device can be ordered by EL electronic means (Figure 1a) associated with PA display and ED data input devices used for programming time slots. The PA and ED devices are made up, in this example, by a digital display and by a keyboard. Ways EL electronics also include an MP microprocessor and a memory MM of the RAM / ROM type, the microprocessor MP providing, from the program stored in the MM memory, control signals which pass to through an AMP amplifier, to the device DEN training.

Thus, by this provision, it is possible to program time periods during which the PV locking block will prevent sliding of bar B, even if the opening of the first lock S is ordered by an authorization signal recognized as valid, i.e. by key or opening code valid.

Therefore, due to the use of this hourly lock SH, we double the security, by prohibiting, even authorized personnel who are in possession of the key or enclosure code, any opening on one or more several judiciously selected time slots.

Figure 1b shows in more detail the DEN drive device which is described in the above-mentioned document EP 0 256 430. It can be seen that the block of PV lock is associated with a compression spring R which is supported by a TG rod controlled by the device DEN training.

More particularly, the PV block has a obviously longitudinal in which the rod can slide TG which is retained by a screw.

The TG rod has a shoulder at its base, the spring TG being interposed between this shoulder and the base of the PV block. So in this device, any movement angle of the AC cam under control of the MEL motor causes the PV block to move up or down, via the spring R which is mounted between the PV block and the transmission member formed by the rod TG, the lever LE and the cam CA.

If bar B is on the way to the PV block, when this block rises, the spring R compresses under the effect of the MCL mechanism which continue its race under the pulse of the MEL motor. The PV block can come and occupy its active high position when bar B is moved to its locked position, to the right in this example. Spring R will then supply the PV block the energy it has stored so that this PV block ends its course in turn and come to obstruct the path of bar B. It is understood that this device is single acting.

There are also more complex devices to double effect with a second spring housed in the rod which is of telescopic structure. This second spring is intended to allow the device to finish its run when the PV block is blocked in the high position by the bar which abuts laterally against him and wedges him in the corridor of the bar B.

This device achieves the result wish.

However, it has several drawbacks.

Indeed, it requires the production of a cam and, in the double-acting version, the arrangement of two springs as well as the realization of a hollow rod complex. It also requires a bore in the locking block.

The object of the present invention is to respond to these disadvantages in providing a training device simplified and inexpensive, also in its double version effect.

• des moyens moteur,
• un organe de transmission,
• un bloc de verrouillage lié mécaniquement aux moyens moteurs via l'organe de transmission et pouvant être actionné par les moyens moteur pour occuper une position active dans laquelle il s'oppose au déplacement d'une barre, et une position inactive dans laquelle il autorise son déplacement, et
• des moyens élastiques permettant d'armer le bloc de verrouillage lorsqu'il est actionné par les moyens moteur, notamment vers sa position active et lorsque son déplacement est empêché par barre, ce dispositif étant caractérisé en ce que les moyens élastiques sont ménagés entre les moyens moteur et l'organe de transmission.

To this end, the invention relates to a drive device allowing, in particular the locking of a lock with conditional opening, this device comprising:

• motor means,
• a transmission organ,
• a locking block mechanically linked to the motor means via the transmission member and which can be actuated by the motor means to occupy an active position in which it opposes the movement of a bar, and an inactive position in which it allows its displacement, and
• elastic means making it possible to arm the locking block when it is actuated by the motor means, in particular towards its active position and when its movement is prevented by bar, this device being characterized in that the elastic means are arranged between the means engine and transmission.

• la figure 1a est une représentation très schématique d'un ensemble de sécurité classique auquel peut être incorporé un dispositif d'entraínement selon l'invention,
• la figure 1b représente de façon plus détaillée le dispositif d'entraínement classique de la figure 1a,
• la figure 2a est une vue de face d'un dispositif selon l'invention, incorporé dans le bâti d'une serrure horaire et représenté dans une première position caractéristique de fonctionnement,
• la figure 2b est une vue de derrière du dispositif de la figure 2a, montré dans la même position,
• la figure 2c est une vue en coupe du dispositif selon l'invention faite selon la ligne C-C de la figure 2b,
• la figure 2d est une vue en coupe du dispositif selon l'invention faite selon la ligne D-D de la figure 2b,
• les figures 3a et 3b sont des vues similaires aux figures 2a et 2b, mais représentant le dispositif selon l'invention dans une deuxième position caractéristique de fonctionnement,
• la figure 3c représente en perspective un ressort pince équipant le dispositif selon l'invention, et
• les figures 4b et 5b sont des vues similaires aux figures 2b et 3b, mais représentant le dispositif selon l'invention dans deux configurations d'exception dans lesquelles la montée du bloc de verrouillage (figure 4b) et la descente de ce bloc (figure 5b) sont empêchées.

However, other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings which are given solely by way of example, and in which:

• FIG. 1a is a very schematic representation of a conventional safety assembly to which a drive device according to the invention can be incorporated,
• FIG. 1b shows in more detail the conventional drive device of FIG. 1a,
• FIG. 2a is a front view of a device according to the invention, incorporated in the frame of a time lock and shown in a first characteristic operating position,
• FIG. 2b is a rear view of the device of FIG. 2a, shown in the same position,
• FIG. 2c is a sectional view of the device according to the invention made along the line CC of FIG. 2b,
• FIG. 2d is a sectional view of the device according to the invention made along the line DD of FIG. 2b,
• FIGS. 3a and 3b are views similar to FIGS. 2a and 2b, but showing the device according to the invention in a second characteristic operating position,
• FIG. 3c shows in perspective a clamp spring equipping the device according to the invention, and
• Figures 4b and 5b are views similar to Figures 2b and 3b, but showing the device according to the invention in two exceptional configurations in which the rise of the locking block (Figure 4b) and the descent of this block (Figure 5b ) are prevented.

Referring now to Figures 2a to 2d, we will describe below an embodiment of a device according to the invention, identified here by the general reference 10.

The device 10 according to the invention is mounted in a frame 12 of a SHI lock which is intended to equip a safety assembly, such as that shown in the figure 1a.

As such, the following description will be understood that the SHI lock being equipped with the device 10 is modified and very simplified.

The SHI lock according to the invention is therefore also intended to block the movement of a bar B towards its unlock position, for example in ranges fixed times, in which it was decided prohibit the opening of the PO door (Figure 1a), in the same conditions as those explained above.

The invention is therefore described here in its application to a time lock, since the opening conditions and closing the door are fixed according to determined and programmed time slots.

Note that this application is not given here as an example and the invention is not limited to this app. The invention may also apply to other type of lock for which the opening and closing conditions are related to other parameters than time or are related, not only to time parameters, but also to additional parameters.

For this reason, the SHI lock is qualified here generically with conditional opening lock.

However, applying to a time lock constitutes a particular and advantageous application which will constitute the embodiment to which it will be made reference in this description.

The SHI lock has a PVI locking block which, in this example, is a shape block rectangular that can slide between two positions high and low characteristics respectively, translating in a guide 14, formed of two walls parallels 16 and 18.

PVI block is mounted in guide 14 with clearances important lateral operation allowing it to slide, without friction, between its two positions.

The PVI block is shown in Figure 2a in a position referenced P2, called inactive position, in which it does not interfere with the displacement of the bar B of the TR linkage.

In this position, the PVI block rests against a stop 20 which is formed by shoulders 22 formed at the base of walls 16 and 18.

Bar B, as mentioned above, can therefore slide in a CR corridor between its positions of locking and unlocking, under the control of the VO steering wheel (Figure 1a), to allow opening or closing of the PO door by the set of bolts PT of the TR linkage.

The PVI locking block is, in this example, linked by a classic articulation, not shown, to a TGI rod which is itself connected by a joint 24, at a first end 26a of a transmission arm 26 (Figure 2b).

The transmission arm 26 is pivotally mounted by a second end 26b and it is coupled, in the vicinity of its first end 26a, to motor means MT.

The TGI rod and the transmission arm 26 constitute a transmission member 28 which connects the block of PVI interlock mechanically with MV motor means and which ensures the transmission of the energy supplied by the MV motor means to this PVI locking block.

The MV motor means include an electric motor 30 (Figures 2a and 2d) which is powered and controlled by a ELI electronic control unit (Figure 1a).

The motor 30 is mounted on a plate 32 (Figure 2d) which is arranged so that it can be fixed, for example by screws, on the frame 12 of the SHI lock.

In this example, the motor 30 is mounted on the plate 32 on the side opposite to the transmission arm 26. This motor 30 comprises a motor shaft, not referenced, to the end of which is provided a drive pinion 34 (Figure 2d) which opens, relative to the plate 32, the side of the arm 26, side of the plate where all the functional components of the device, which are intended for cooperate and get in motion.

The pinion 34 meshes with a drive wheel 36 (Figure 2b) on which is formed a toothed sector in taken with the teeth of the pinion 34. This wheel 36 is free rotationally mounted on an axis 38 (Figure 2c) driven in stage 32.

The wheel 36 further comprises a flat 40 on which rubs a blade 42 of a position sensor 44 capable of supply signals to the ELI electronic control unit representative of the angular position of the wheel 36. We will understand from the description which follows that in a mode of normal operation of the device 10 corresponding to the normal drive of the PVI block, these signals are also representative of the high and low positions of the PVI block, positions called respectively active (referenced P1, FIG. 3a) and inactive (referenced P2, Figure 2a).

The position sensor 44 is, as such, a conventional structure sensor and it will not be described here in more detail.

The wheel 36 also has a bearing 46 which extends perpendicularly from the body or the board of the wheel 36, and coaxially to its axis of rotation geometric X1.

This range 46 which constitutes a drive shaft has an elongated cylindrical shape and protrudes from the body of the wheel 36, in the direction of the frame 12. It will be noted that the axis 38 which supports the rotating wheel 36 passes through the plate of the wheel 36 and extends over the length of the reach 46. It will also be specified that the wheel 36 and the reach 46 are one piece, the span 46 and the board the wheel 36 coming from material and being produced by example of synthetic material, such as polyoxymethylene commonly known as the abbreviation P.O.M.

A spring 48, called a clamp spring, is mounted around of the bearing 46. This spring 48 has a body 48c formed of a helical winding having in this example several turns, the body 48c being positioned freely around the scope 46.

The spring 48 also has two radial arms 50 and 51 fork-shaped, which are intended to drive the transmission member 28, as will be understood below.

The two arms 50 and 51 and the helical body 48c of the spring 48 are formed of the same elastic wire F. This wire can absorb bending stress and allows two arms 50 and 51 to open, in certainly PVI block training situations, then come back in their original configuration, after deformation elastic.

In accordance with the representation of the device on these figures, and the superimposed arrangement of these two arms 50 and 51, they are respectively designated arms upper and lower arm.

The upper arm 50 is linked to a first turn 48a of the body 48c (FIG. 2c), this turn 48a resting laterally against the board of wheel 36. The last turn 48b ends in the vicinity of the free end of the scope 46. As seen in the FIG. 3c, the wire F which constitutes the spring 48 has a junction arm 53 which connects the latter turn 48b to the lower arm 51, and which brings this wire F towards the arm lower 51 extending along the body 48c.

Thus, the two arms 50 and 51 are brought back into a same plane substantially parallel to the wheel plank 36, by returning the wire F.

Note that the two arms 50 and 51 extend radially from bearing 46, in directions substantially parallel, towards a lug 52 which projects of the body or plate of the wheel 36. The lug 52 is positioned at a radial distance from the bearing 46 and from the axis of rotation X1 of said wheel, to provide a drive torque to the transmission member 28.

The two arms 50 and 51 of the spring 48 extend from on either side of this lug 52 and imprison it.

Therefore, when the wheel 36 is driven in rotation by the motor 30, via the pinion 34, it drives with it the spring 48 and more particularly its arms 50 and 51, the pin 52 pushing up or down, clockwise or counterclockwise, one or the other of arms 50 and 51, according to the direction of rotation printed on said wheel 36 by the motor 30.

Thus, the rotation of the wheel 36 solicits arms 50 and 51 and causes their angular displacement which, in normal operation, is simultaneous.

The device according to the invention 10 further comprises a protruding finger 54 (see FIG. 2b), parallel to lug 52 and parallel to the axis of rotation X1 of the wheel 36.

The two arms 50 and 51 of the spring 48 extend from on either side of finger 54 and enclose and imprison also this finger 54 just like the lug 52. By Consequently, any rotational movement of the wheel 36 in one direction or another pushes the finger 54 towards the up or down, via lug 52 and via arms 50 and 51 of spring 48. The rotation of wheel 36 therefore has function of causing, in normal operating mode, an upward or downward movement of finger 54, but with the interposition, at this level of the device 10, of one of elastic motion transmission means formed in this example by the clamp spring 48.

In this example, the finger 54 is secured to the arm transmission 26 which is formed of a metal plate stamped of small thickness having in plan a form of "J". The elbow of the arm 26 is formed to allow it, when in the high position, to come in the vicinity of wheel 36 (see Figures 3b and 5b) and wear its free end above the wheel 36.

This arrangement provides a compact arrangement which provides range of motion to bring the block B in its two extreme positions P1 and P2.

Finger 54 is formed at a first free end 26a of arm 26 and it can come in one piece with this arm or be chased into it.

At its second end 26b, the arm 26 is mounted free to rotate around a bearing surface 58 which is integral of plate 32 and which is formed by a head tenon 60 hunted in this turntable. The arm 26 can therefore pivot freely around an axis of rotation X2 (Figure 2c) which is parallel to the axis of rotation X1 of the wheel 36.

As can be seen in the figures, the two axes of rotation X1 and X2 are positioned in a horizontal plane PH which is perpendicular to the direction of movement of the PVI block.

It is thus understood from what has just been described that the device 10 according to the invention comprises at least two characteristic functional units, i.e., of a on the one hand, the MV motor means, and on the other hand, the transmission 28.

In this exemplary embodiment, the motor means MT consist of the motor 30, the pinion 34, the wheel 36, the lug 52, the spring 48 and its two arms 50 and 51; finger 54 being coupled to these motor means MT via the spring 48.

The transmission member 28 is constituted in turn of the TGI rod, the articulation 24 and the arm of transmission 26.

It is therefore understood that the PVI locking block is linked to the MV motor means via the organ transmission 28, and via the spring 48 which is interposed and formed between these motor means MT and this member of transmission 28.

The device 10 according to the invention is shown in Figures 2a to 2d, in a first configuration characteristic, in which the PVI block is held in P2 inactive low position, allowing bar B to move down the hallway CR and unlock the door PO.

When the ELI electronic unit controls the rotation of the motor 30 from this first position, the wheel 36 rotates clockwise (Figure 3b), the lug 52 pushing the upper arm 50 upwards, while the lower arm 51 pushes the finger 54 and the arm of transmission 26 (i.e. the whole organ of transmission 28) upwards, to mount the block locking in its active position P1 (Figure 3a) where it can oppose the displacement of the bar B in the corridor CR.

The sensor 44 informs the electronic unit which deduces that the PVI block is in the active position P1.

When the time corresponding to the ban the SHI lock has opened, the unit electronic ELI controls the rotation of the motor 36 in direction reverse which brings back by the same means the PVI block towards bottom, in inactive position P2, the block can come rest against the stop 20.

Sensor 44 informs the unit again ELI electronics which infers that the PVI block is located in the inactive position P2 and that the bar B can be moved to the CR corridor to open the door.

The operator can therefore from this moment open the PO gate (Figure 1a) provided of course that has the necessary authorization (s) to order opening of the lock S.

If the electronic unit provokes, as it should at the start of a time slot, the rise of the PVI block then that the bar B is at the same time in the corridor CR in line with guide 14 (the door is therefore not yet PVI block will abut against the bar B, the motor 30 will continue its rotation to finish its control stroke and the spring 48 will open by elastic spacing of arms 50 and 51, as shown in exaggerated in Figure 4b. Information ordering the moving the PVI block to its active position P1 is mechanically recorded by spring 48. The block PVI which has just been armed will end its race towards its active position P1 when the bar B has been translated to the right, to its locked position.

The same type of procedure is executed if the bar B blocking the PVI block in the high position, then that the motor 30 has rotated the wheel 36 in the direction anti-clockwise. As shown in FIG. 5b, the arms 50 and 51 of the spring will also move apart, while the wheel 36 will end up running at the instigation of motor 30. When bar B will be moved to the right, to its position the PVI block will be brought down by the action of the spring 48 and, in this example, also by the combined action of gravity, due to its own weight,

Thus, we see that in this arrangement the means MV motor are linked to the PVI locking block by through the spring 48 which forms a connection elastic directly between the motor means MT and the transmission member 28.

We understand from what has just been described that in this arrangement the elastic means 48 are associated functionally and structurally to the motor means MT, and are integrated in the same module, these means MV motors and the elastic means 48 being integral of the same turntable. We will also note that the means elastic 48 are supported by the motor means MT in being mounted on the drive shaft or bearing 46.

The embodiment which has been described is a double-acting device, since it performs a function of arming the TGI rod and the PVI block on the rise and descent. The invention applies to a simple device effect which, in a simplified version, could not understand that only one arm, especially the lower arm 51, the opposite free part of the spring wire 48 being, in this variant not shown, anchored in a orifice or in a groove in the body or the bearing of the wheel 36. In another variant also not shown of a single acting device, the spring 48 could also have two arms 50 and 51, the upper arm 50 which cooperates with the lug 52 being in this variant shorter than the arm 51 and not coming up to finger level 54 to leave it free.

Under these conditions, the lower arm 51 would brought down by the MV motor means in the event of PVI block jammed in the high position, but none of the arm would not come to stress finger 54. The PVI block may return to the lower position below simple effect of gravity, when moving the bar B, the lower arm 51 receiving the finger 54 during its descent.

Claims (12)

Drive device allowing, in particular the locking of a lock with conditional opening, this device comprising: motor means (MT) a transmission member (28) a locking block (PVI) mechanically linked to the motor means (MT) via the transmission member (28) and which can be actuated by the motor means (MT) to occupy an active position (P1) in which it opposes the displacement of a bar, and an inactive position (P2) in which it authorizes its displacement, and elastic means (48) making it possible to arm the locking block (PVI) when it is actuated by the motor means (MT), in particular towards its active position (P1) and when its movement is prevented by bar characterized in that the elastic means (48) are formed between the motor means (MT) and the transmission member (28). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic means (48) are mounted on a drive shaft (46) of the motor means (MT). Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the elastic means (48) have at least one radial arm (51) which can be driven by the motor means (MT) and which is arranged for cooperate with the transmission member (28) in order to cause it to move to bring the block of locking (PVI) at least in its active position (P1). Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the elastic means (48) have two arms (50, 51) in the form of a fork, these arms (50, 51) which can both be driven by the motor means (MT) cooperating with the transmission (28) to cause its displacement so to bring the locking block into its positions respectively active (P1) and inactive (P2). Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the transmission member (26) comprises a finger (54) cooperating with the one or both arms (50, 51) elastic means (48) and ensuring the drive of this member (26) via this or these arms (50, 51). Device according to claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the finger (54) is disposed between the arms (50, 51). Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the motor means (MT) comprise a lug (52) also disposed between said arms (50, 51) and ensuring the mechanical transmission between the motor means (MT) and these arms (50, 51). Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the elastic means (48) are provided for ensuring the opening of the fork formed by the arms (50, 51) when arming the locking block (PVI). Device according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the elastic means (48) are constituted by a spring helical working in flexion. Device according to claims 2 and 9, characterized in that said spring (48) is positioned around the drive shaft (46) of the motor means (MT). Application of the device according to any one of the preceding claims to an opening lock conditional. Application of the device according to any one of the preceding claims to a time lock.

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