EP3270357B1

EP3270357B1 - Electronic lock

Info

Publication number: EP3270357B1
Application number: EP16179557.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ahmet BILGIC; Bilgin YILDIRIM
Original assignee: Kale Kilit Ve Kalip Sanayi AS
Current assignee: KALE Kilit ve Kalip Sanayi AS
Priority date: 2016-07-14
Filing date: 2016-07-14
Publication date: 2019-03-13
Anticipated expiration: 2036-07-14
Also published as: PL3270357T3; EA201990241A1; ES2729248T3; EP3270357A1; WO2018011388A1; UA123516C2

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electronic lock, and more particularly to an electronic lock having an electronic circuit which interacts with the antenna of a cylinder lock to set the lock in an open or closed position by driving a retention pin of an actuator.

Background of the Invention

Conventional locks use pins of varying lengths to prevent the lock from opening without the correct key. Pin tumblers are most commonly employed in cylinder locks, but may also be found in tubular pin tumbler locks. In addition to that instead of a key, a plastic card that has a magnetic strip on the back can be used. By sliding the card into the lock, an electronic reader circuit decodes the information on the strip and checks for a match with a code stored inside it. If it's the right key, the circuit activates a powerful electromagnet that pulls a bolt sideways, allowing the user to open the door.
Conventional mechanical locks can be vulnerable against pick locking activities, and because of its nature locks and corresponding tumbler are mechanical that cannot be changed. At the market, there are several types of electronic locks having complex mechanism which keeps the price high. Key of the electronic locks is very important, which may be easily damaged when exposed to water or humid environment. In addition to that, a battery of the key may be damaged or run out, in this case finding new battery could be not easy for replacement.
Many electronic locks have complex parts which causes its price to be high compared to the conventional locks. The key of the electronic locks mainly keeps a battery in itself which can be difficult to replace when is needed. It is also desired that such system should be a purely electronic one, i.e. not dependent on mechanical bitting or the key to open the lock cylinder.
US6442985 (B1 ) discloses a lock with a lock solenoid which can be locked or unlocked by an electronic key or mechanical key. The lock solenoid is disposed in the upper portion of the housing and acts as a key cylinder lock actuator so as to engage or disengage the stopper with/from the lock groove provided in the sleeve, thereby locking or unlocking a rotation of the sleeve correspondingly.
US2003084691 (A1 ) discloses a lock section which is mechanically operated by a key provided with identification information to perform a locking or unlocking operation. A receiver acquires the identification information from the key. A checker determines whether the identification information acquired by the receiver matches with pre-stored registration information of the key. A limiter restricts the unlocking operation of the key when the checker determines that the identification information does not match with the registration information.
US2002189307 (A1 ) discloses door locks having numerous electronic or electro mechanical keys fit a single or a group of locks. Lock cylinders in the document may or may not contain tumblers or other mechanical combination to be met by a mechanical key. Upon meeting the access criteria the electrically operated lock blocking means is released allowing the key to turn. A cylinder lock disclosed in the document uses an electrically operated blocking means, generally a small solenoid or a motor that is released or turned allowing the turning of the key.

Objects of the Invention

Primary object of the present invention is to provide an electronic lock having an ability to electronically transfer information from a key to the cylinder to set the lock in an open or closed position.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic lock having an antenna at first cylinder half such that said lock can be used with a rosette which permits to use the locks in steel doors.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic lock with a key having no battery on itself such that ensuring long-life time.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic lock which is suitable to every type of door even in steel doors.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic lock which is resistive against "lock-picking" attempts.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention proposes an electronic lock according to independent claim 1.

Brief Description of the Figures

Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying an electronic lock whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in detail hereinafter:

Fig. 1 demonstrates a perspective top view of the electronic lock according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 demonstrates an A-A cross section of the fig. 1 according to the present invention.
Fig. 3 demonstrates enlarged view of the B section shown in fig. 2 according to the present invention.
Fig. 4a demonstrates a perspective view of the electronic lock according to the present invention.
Fig. 4b demonstrates a cross section view of the electronic lock where the actuator pin is lifted according to the present invention.
Fig. 5 demonstrates a perspective view of a suitable key of the electronic lock according to the present invention.
Fig. 6 demonstrates a cross section view of the actuator of the lock according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

1.: Cylinder body
2.: Actuator
3.: Retention pin
4.: Antenna
5.: Connection cable
6.: Handle rod
7.: Handle
8.: Plug
9.: Electronic circuit
10.: Pawl
11.: Key
12.: Electronic card
14a.: First cylinder half
14b.: Second cylinder half
15.: Electronic lock
16.: Tip portion
X: Longitudinal axis of the electronic lock
20.: Locking house
22.: Spring
23.: Coil windings
24.: Solenoid

Referring now to the figures outlined above, the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a cylinder body (1) having a first cylinder half (14a) and second cylinder half (14b), a handle (7) to be situated on the second cylinder half with a handle rod (6), an actuator (2) for actuating a retention pin (3) for blocking movement of a plug (8) of the cylinder body, an antenna (4) for receiving a signal coming from an electronic circuit (9) of a key (11), and an electronic card (12). Referring to the figure 1, said electronic lock (15) comprises the cylinder body (1) one end of which the key (11) can be inserted for actuating a pawl (10), and the other end of the cylinder body is equipped with the handle (7) for the user to lock or open the door. According to the Fig. 2, demonstrating an A-A cross section of the fig. 1, the actuator (2) is placed at first cylinder half (14a) with the retention pin (3), when the user inserts the key (11) inside the cylinder body (1), the antenna (4) sense the electronic circuit (9) of the key (11) which is placed at the tip portion of the key, and activates the actuator (2) of the retention pin (3) up or down according to the longitudinal axis of the electronic lock (X). Said first cylinder half (14a) has a locking house (20) as a groove, engages with the retention pin (3) when the actuator is activated.
Said electronic circuit (9) of the key (11) interacts with the antenna (4) which is in a communication with the electronic card (12) via connection cables (5). Verification and identification of the data received from the antenna (4) are processed in the electronic card (12), if the electronic card (12) approves that the defined key (11) is inserted into the cylinder body (1), then transmits a signal to the actuator (2). The user may define more than one key (11) for the electronic lock (15) with the electronic card (12). The electronic card (12) compares data read from the antenna (4) with data stored in memory itself, such that if the data received from the antenna (4) is found to be acceptable, the electronic card (12) provides the actuating signal to a solenoid-activated actuator (2) to move the retention pin (3).
Main idea underlying of the invention is that the electromechanical relationship between the key and the lock cylinder. The electronic locking system of the present invention provides powerful, flexible "locking system" capabilities-i.e. access control functions. Fig 4a shows a perspective view of the electronic lock (15) where a tip portion (16) of the key (11) inserted in the keyway fully.
Said retention pin (3) preferably can be one piece and prevents the movement of the cylinder boy (1). When the pin (3) is in its extended position, as seen in figure 3, actuator releases the pin (3) and let the rotation of the plug (1). Before the key (11) is inserted into the keyway, the locking pin (3) is held in an upward position as shown in FIG. 3. Upon an "allow access" decision by the key electronics after the full insertion of an authorized key (FIG. 6A), actuator is activated pulling of the retention pin (3).
In another embodiment, the antenna (4) can be selectively connected to a detector constructed to respond to the radio frequency signal or to a detector constructed to respond to the light-frequency signal and cooperating with the electronic card (12). The actuator (2) houses a solenoid-actuated retention pin (4) which is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the electronic lock. The retention pin (3) mates with a grooved section which prevents rotation of the plug (8) in certain states of the actuator. If the electronic lock (15) recognizes a valid key is inserted, actuator (3) is energized, and retention pin (3) is pulled inside the grooved housing of the actuator (3). The plug (8) is thereby unlocked and free to rotate. Upon removal of the key from the keyway, retention pin (3) returns to its fully depressed position, blocks the plug (8). A spring (22) can be used and in turn may push the retention pin (3) into a locked position.
A suitable design for key 30, shown in FIG. 5, is quite similar to that of a conventional mechanical key. Key shaft of the key (11) and especially the tip portion (16) of the key (11) houses the electronic circuit (9) which is suitable to interface with the antenna (4). Said hosing of the electronic circuit has a cross section in a form of rectangular. Thanks to its nature, said key has no battery for the electronic circuit (9) such that it provides long term usage and durability. Because of the electronic circuit (9) of the key is positioned at the tip of the key shaft, no powerful electronic materials are needed. Advantageously, a battery for the key, especially for the electronic circuit, is not needed and long-lasting usage is obtained.
Upon insertion of the valid key, the antenna sense the electronic circuit end and sends a signal to the electronic card. The data is processed by the electronic card to energize the solenoid-activated actuator (2), pulling retention pin back and allowing plug (8) to rotate freely. Actuator is thus energized only in the event that retention pin has been moved downwardly into its open position, thereby energizing the actuator.
In another embodiment, when retention pin (3) is in its locking position, it is necessary in order to retract the pin to provide current through coil to generate a field of opposite polarity to that of solenoid means, of sufficient strength. When current of opposite polarity is applied, retention pin (3) will move downwardly. Whilst the key is absent, the retention pin is retained in the locking position.
Figure 6 demonstrates a cross section view of the actuator of the lock according to the present invention. Said actuator (2) mainly comprises a solenoid (24) having a coil windings (23) and a spring (22) biasing against the retention pin (3). When the electronic card (12) energizes the coil windings (23), the coil is also energized to withdraw the retention pin so that the plug can move.

Claims

An electronic lock (15) comprising:
a cylinder body (1) having a first cylinder half (14a) and a second cylinder half (14b);

a plug (8) having a keyway for receiving a key, rotatable within said cylinder body (1),

a solenoid-activated actuator (2) within the cylinder body (1), said actuator (2) having a retention pin (3) which is arranged to selectively engage the plug (8) to prevent the rotation thereof and disengages the plug (8) in response to an actuating signal to allow rotation thereof, said electronic lock (15) further comprises:
an antenna (4) for receiving data from an electronic circuit (9) placed at a shaft of the key, when the key (11) is inserted into the keyway fully;said antenna (4) provided inside the first cylinder half (14a) of the cylinder body (1);

the solenoid-activated actuator (2) for housing and driving said retention pin (3) downwardly or upwardly according to the longitudinal axis of the electronic lock (X); and

an electronic card (12) arranged to compare data read from the antenna (4) with data stored in memory itself, such that if the data received from the antenna (4) is found to be acceptable, the electronic card (12) provides the actuating signal to the solenoid-activated actuator (2) to move the retention pin (3).
An electronic lock (15) as in claim 1 characterized in that, said electronic lock (15) further comprises a spring (22) for pushing the retention pin (3) into a locked position, upon removal of the key from the keyway.
An electronic lock (15) as in claim 1 characterized in that, said electronic circuit (9) of the key (11) interacts with the antenna (4) which is in a communication with the electronic card (12) via connection cables (5).
An electronic lock (15) as in claim 1 characterized in that, said electronic lock (15) comprises a grooved housing on the actuator (3), when the electronic lock (15) recognizes a valid key is inserted, the actuator (3) is energized, and retention pin (3) is pulled inside the grooved housing of the actuator (3).
An electronic lock (15) as in claim 1 characterized in that, said electronic lock (15) comprises a handle (7) to be situated on the second cylinder half with a handle rod (6).
An electronic lock (15) as in claim 1 characterized in that, said actuator comprises a solenoid (24) having a coil windings (23) and the spring (22) biasing against the retention pin (3).
An electronic lock (15) as in claim 1 characterized in that, said antenna (4) is arranged to respond to a light-frequency signal.
An electronic lock (15) as in claim 1 characterized in that, the electronic card (12) is arranged to to define more than one key (11) for the electronic lock (15).