EP2792824B1 - Lock, sets of locks and fabrication process of products - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a latch, lock sets and a method of manufacturing products.

• un stator,
• un rotor monté en rotation par rapport au stator autour d'un axe, appelé axe Δ, et présentant un canal d'insertion de clé dans lequel l'axe Δ s'étend,
• des éléments de blocage du rotor se succédant le long de l'axe Δ et chacun séparé du suivant d'une distance, appelée « pas », les éléments de blocage étant destinés à détecter l'insertion d'une clé compatible dans le canal pour permettre la rotation du rotor par rapport au stator.

There are already locks as described in the document DE 100 05 054 A1 , of the type comprising:

• a stator,
• a rotor rotatably mounted relative to the stator about an axis, called the Δ axis, and having a key insertion channel in which the Δ axis extends,
• rotor locking elements succeeding one another along the axis Δ and each separated from the next by a distance, called "pitch", the locking elements being intended to detect the insertion of a compatible key in the channel for allow rotation of the rotor relative to the stator.

In a lock of this type, the locking elements are for example glitter, and the steps are all equal, that is to say that the blocking elements are also spaced along the axis Δ.

To increase the number of different encodings, it is possible to add additional blocking elements. However, the addition of locking elements makes the lock more complex and increases the cost thereof.

In order to at least partially solve the above problem, a latch of the aforementioned type is proposed, characterized in that at least two steps have different values, respectively called first step value and second step value, the second value of not being a multiple of the first step value.

Optionally, the second step value is twice the first step value.

Optionally, the step or steps having the second value are fewer than the steps having the first value.

Optionally, a single step has the second value.

Optionally, at least two steps have the second value, and the steps having the second value are not contiguous, but separated from each other by at least one step having the first value.

Optionally, only the two step values are used for all steps.

Optionally, only three step values are used for all steps.

Lock sets according to the invention are also proposed, in which the locks have the same number of locking elements, the same number of step values, and for each step value, the same number of steps presenting this value. value, and in which the step values are distributed in the succession of blocking elements according to the same distribution within the same game, but according to different distributions from one game to another.

• la fabrication de jeux de verrous selon l'invention, cette fabrication comportant :
  • -- la détermination de catégories de produit,
  • -- l'association de chaque catégorie de produit à une répartition respective des valeurs de pas dans la succession des éléments de blocage,
  • -- pour chaque catégorie de produit, la fabrication d'un jeu de verrous présentant la répartition associée à la catégorie de produit,
• la fabrication des produits, chacun avec un verrou provenant du jeu verrous présentant la répartition associée à la catégorie du produit.

There is also provided a method of manufacturing products, comprising:

• the manufacture of sets of locks according to the invention, this manufacture comprising:
  • - the determination of product categories,
  • the association of each product category with a respective distribution of step values in the succession of blocking elements,
  • - for each product category, the manufacture of a set of locks showing the distribution associated with the product category,
• manufacturing products, each with a lock from the locks game showing the breakdown associated with the product category.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe d'un premier verrou selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe du premier verrou de la figure 1 avec une clé compatible insérée,
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe d'un deuxième verrou selon l'invention, et
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe d'un troisième verrou selon l'invention.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a sectional view of a first lock according to the invention,
• the figure 2 is a sectional view of the first lock of the figure 1 with a compatible key inserted,
• the figure 3 is a sectional view of a second lock according to the invention, and
• the figure 4 is a sectional view of a third lock according to the invention.

With reference to the figure 1 a latch 100 according to the invention will now be described.

The latch 100 firstly comprises a stator 102, also called body. The stator 102 has a hollow cylinder shape about an axis Δ. The stator 102 is provided with internal lateral grooves 104. The grooves 104 are organized in pairs of two opposite grooves on either side of the axis Δ, the pairs succeeding one another along the axis Δ. In the example described, the stator 102 is provided with eight pairs of grooves.

The latch 100 further comprises a rotor 106. The rotor 106 extends in the stator 102 and has a hollow cylinder shape about the axis Δ defining a key insertion channel 108 having an opening 110 through which a key is intended to be inserted. The rotor 106 is provided with transverse through slots 112. The slots 112 follow one another along the axis Δ so that each of them opens on each side in respectively the two opposite grooves 104 of a respective pair of grooves.

The latch 100 further comprises locking elements of the rotor 106, eight in number in the example described and marked on the figure 1 by the letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H. In the example described, the lock 100 is a flake lock and the locking elements A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H are glitter.

The flakes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H respectively extend in the slots 112 and protrude from the latter to enter some of the grooves 104 so as to block the rotation of the rotor 106 relative to the stator 102. The flakes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H follow each other along the axis Δ and the letters used to identify the flakes reflect this order. The flakes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H are intended to be displaced in their respective slots 112, when inserting a compatible key into the channel 108, in an unlocking position in which all flakes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H are outside the grooves 104 and allow rotation of the rotor 106 relative to the stator 102.

Each straw A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H has a central opening in which an inserted key is intended to pass so as to move the straw in its slot. If the key is compatible, this movement will position the flakes in their unlocking position. Thus, flakes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H are intended to detect the insertion of the compatible key in channel 108 to allow rotation of rotor 106 relative to stator 102.

Each flake A, B, C, D, E, F, G, except the last H, is separated by a distance, called "step" of the next straw. The steps follow one another along the axis Δ, starting on the side of the opening 110 of the channel 108.

According to the invention, at least two steps have different values.

In general, there may be as many step values as successive pairs of flakes, which means that the two flakes of each pair are separated by one step having a value different from all the other steps. In other words, the step from one glitter to the next never presents the same value. There may also be fewer different step values, up to a minimum of two step values. Preferably, the number of step values is at most four, so that the length of the lock does not become too large compared to a conventional lock having the same number of flakes regularly spaced from the smallest pitch.

In the example described, only two different pitch values, P1 and P2, are used for all steps. The flakes of each pair AB, BC, DE, EF, FG, GH have steps of value P1, while the flakes of the pair CD have steps of value P2. In other words, two sequential flakes are separated by a step equal to either P1 or P2.

In the example described, the step value P2 is greater than the pitch value P1, and more precisely equal to twice the step value P1.

Preferably, the space corresponding to the value step P2 is used to add a device having a particular function, for example a key insertion detecting device, or a key locking device for preventing the removal of the key. the rotor key under certain conditions.

In the example described, a single step has the value P2: only two consecutive flakes have a spacing of value P2. In the example described, it is the third pair of flakes CD.

Thus, considering the step value P1 as the "normal" value, the latch 100 has an absence of flake between the flakes C and D.

With reference to the figure 2 , the latch 100 is shown with a compatible key 202 inserted into the channel 108 and the central openings of the flakes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and having moved the flakes A, B, C, D , E, F, G, H in the position allowing rotation of the rotor 106 relative to the stator 102.

It will be appreciated that, to be compatible, the key 202 must not only have the reliefs corresponding to the shape (length of the straw and its central opening) flakes, but it is also necessary that these reliefs are properly positioned along the Δ axis, at intervals corresponding to the pitch values P1, P2 between flakes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H.

With reference to the figure 3 another lock 300 according to the invention will now be described.

The lock 300 is identical to that of the figure 1 , except that the pitch value P2 is between the flakes D and E instead of the flakes C and D. Thus, the pitch value P1 is between flakes of the pairs AB, BC, CD, EF, FG , GH, while the pitch value P2 lies between the flakes of the pair CD.

It will be appreciated that the latches 100 and 300 have the same number of flakes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, the same number of step values, and, for each step value, the same number presenting this value (six for the value P1 and one for the value P2). However, the latches 100 and 300 differ from each other in that the pitch values P1, P2 are distributed in the succession of the locking elements A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H according to different distributions.

Thus, it is possible to make two sets of locks, a first game where each lock has the distribution of the lock 100 of the figure 1 , and a second game where each lock has the distribution of the lock 300 of the figure 3 . Within the same game, the locks preferably differ in the shape of the flakes, so as to be associated with different compatible keys. The different games can be dedicated to different products.

Thus, a method of manufacturing these products comprises for example the following steps.

First, locks are made. This manufacture comprises the following steps. Several product categories are determined. Each product category is associated with a particular distribution of step values in the succession of blocking elements. For each product category, a set of locks showing the distribution associated with the product category is produced.

Then, the products are manufactured, each with a lock from the lock set with the distribution associated with the product category.

The products may for example be motor vehicles, and the categories may then correspond to different ranges of motor vehicles.

With reference to the figure 4 another latch 400 according to the invention will now be described.

The lock 400 is identical to that of the figure 1 , except that it has only seven flakes A, B, C, D, E, F, G and only two steps (those between the flakes CD and EF) present the value P2. Consequently, only the steps between the four pairs of flakes: AB, BC, DE and FG have the value P1.

It will be appreciated that, in these configurations, steps having the value P2 are not contiguous, but separated from each other by at least one step having the value P1.

The invention is not limited to the previously described embodiments, but is instead defined by the appended claims.

Claims (9)

1. A lock (100; 300; 400) comprising :

   - a stator (102),

   - a rotor (106) rotatably mounted relative to the stator (102) about an axis, called the axis Δ, and having a key insertion channel (108) along which the axis Δ extends,

   - elements (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H; A, B, C, D, E, F, G) for blocking the rotor (106) succeeding one another along the axis Δ and each separated from the next one by a distance, called «step», the blocking elements being configured to detect the insertion of a compatible key into the channel (108) to enable the rotation of the rotor (106) relative to the stator (102),

   - at least two steps having different values (P1, P2), respectively called first step value (P1) and second step value (P2), characterized in that the second step value (P2) is a multiple of the first step value (P1).
2. The lock (100; 300; 400) according to claim 1, wherein the second step value (P2) is twice the first step value (P1).
3. The lock (100; 300; 400) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step(s) having the second value (P2) are fewer than the steps having the first value (P1).
4. The lock (100; 300) according to claim 3, wherein one single step has the second value (P2).
5. The lock (400) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least two steps have the second value (P2), and wherein the steps having the second value (P2) are not contiguous, but separated from each other by at least one step having the first value (P1).
6. The lock (100; 300; 400) according to claim 1, wherein only the two step values (P1, P2) are used for all steps.
7. The lock according to claim 1, wherein only three step values are used for all steps.
8. Sets of locks according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the locks (100, 300) have the same number of blocking elements (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H), the same number of step values (P1, P2), and, for each step value, the same number of steps having this value, and wherein the step values (P1, P2) are distributed in the succession of blocking elements according to the same distribution within the same set, but according to different distributions from one set to another.
9. A method for manufacturing products, including:

   - the manufacture of sets of locks according to claim 8, this manufacture including:

   - the determination of product categories,

   - the association of each product category with a respective distribution of the step values in the succession of the blocking elements,

   - for each product category, the manufacture of a set of locks having the distribution associated with the product category,

   - the manufacture of the products, each with a lock originating from the set of locks having the distribution associated with the product category.

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