EP3677739B1 - Method for controlling an electromechanical device for actuating a lock - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a method for controlling an electromechanical device for actuating a lock intended to be coupled to a lock in order to actuate it electrically, the lock comprising a movable part configured so as to drive at least one primary lock in at least at least a first closed position where the primary lock is deployed and in a second open position where the primary lock is retracted.

The invention also relates to an electromechanical lock actuation device.

The invention also relates to an electric lock comprising such an electromechanical actuation device.

The invention applies in particular to the fields of locks which comprise a lock cylinder having a stator mounted on a leaf so as to pass through its thickness and a rotor mounted for rotation relative to the stator and whose rotation actuates in translation at the at least one locking bit or deadbolt, as well as possibly a closing bolt, also called limit bolt or spring bolt. The rotor then corresponds to the aforementioned moving part while the primary lock corresponds to one of the bolts.

Generally the lock cylinder provides, on the exterior side, an exterior lock entry allowing the introduction of a key and, on the interior side, either an interior lock entry allowing the introduction of a key or a manual button. Such a key and/or the manual button make it possible to actuate the movable part of the lock in rotation in order to control the movement of the spring bolt and/or the deadbolt in order to open or close the leaf and/or to lock or unlock the lock.

The cooperation between the movable part of the lock and the coupling mechanism internal to the electromechanical device for actuating the lock can be achieved by inserting one of the keys admitted by the lock cylinder on the interior side, this key then being engaged with the coupling mechanism to be integral in rotation with one another. Alternatively, the cooperation between the movable part of the lock and the coupling mechanism internal to the device electromechanical actuation of the lock can be done by the permanent presence of a coupling member also called "tail", integral with the rotor and initially intended for the installation of a manual button, this coupling member then being in taken with the internal coupling mechanism to the electromechanical actuating device to be integral in rotation with one another.

The lock cylinder can be equipped with a single clutch or a double clutch to possibly make it possible to operate an external key even in the event of the presence of a key on the internal side. In general, the lock with which the electromechanical lock actuation device is intended to cooperate with a view to its motorized actuation does not provide any limitation in itself and can be arbitrary. For example, it may be a lock where the rotor is shaped for an angular stroke limited to about a quarter of a turn, as is the case for example on the North American market, or a lock where the rotor is intended for an angular stroke of several turns, as is the case for example on the European market.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

There are electric locks or electromechanical lock actuation devices having the ability to determine a closing direction or an opening direction during installation on the leaf.

There also exist electric locks or electromechanical lock actuation devices having the ability to detect obstacles during movement of the movable part of the lock.

However, these solutions are noisy during their operation.

Another drawback is that these solutions do not make it possible to determine correctly and reliably whether the open or closed position of the primary lock is effective.

In general, the existing solutions do not allow ergonomic, reliable and silent control.

The patent application US 2018/0298640 A1 discloses a door lock detection system capable of determining whether a door lock bolt has engaged a door jamb recess in a locked position by comparing the sensed motor current relative to the position of the bolt with a signature expected motor current.

The patent application WO 2008/101930 A1 discloses a locking device designed to unlock a lock by transferring a locking latch from a locking position to a release position. The device includes an electric motor to actuate the locking latch.

The patent application WO2014/012119 A2 relates to a system for minimizing the energy consumption of a door locking system to increase the life of a battery.

The patent US 6,016,677 describes a bolt lock whose movement in both directions is stopped in response to the detection of a rise in motor current above a certain level.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling an actuation device for a lock, responding to all or part of the problems presented above.

• diminuer le bruit lors du fonctionnement du dispositif électromécanique d'actionnement de serrure ou le bruit des serrures électriques lors de leur ouverture ou lors de leur fermeture ;
• détecter des ouvertures ou des fermetures de serrures non effectuées ;
• détecter une usure de la serrure ;
• fournir une solution ergonomique, fiable et silencieuse.

In particular, a goal is to provide a solution that meets at least one of the following objectives:

• reduce the noise during operation of the electromechanical lock actuation device or the noise of the electric locks when they are opened or when they are closed;
• detect openings or closings of locks not carried out;
• detect wear of the lock;
• provide an ergonomic, reliable and silent solution.

• un mécanisme d'actionnement susceptible d'être accouplé à la partie mobile de la serrure,
• un moteur électrique pour entrainer le mécanisme d'actionnement,
• une unité de commande programmable configurée pour piloter au moins un paramètre du moteur électrique choisi parmi une vitesse de rotation, un sens d'entraînement et un couple mécanique, l'unité de commande étant configurée pour déterminer une position d'au moins le verrou primaire à partir de la détermination d'une position variable du mécanisme d'actionnement,
• une courbe de référence contenant au moins un profil d'une force variable appliquée par le mécanisme d'actionnement pour l'entraînement de la partie mobile en fonction de la position variable du mécanisme d'actionnement,
• une mémoire configurée pour stocker au moins la courbe de référence,

le procédé de commande comprenant les étapes suivantes :

1. a) mesure de la position variable du mécanisme d'actionnement,
2. b) pilotage d'au moins un paramètre du moteur électrique par l'unité de commande en fonction de la courbe de référence, du sens d'entraînement du moteur électrique et de la position variable du mécanisme d'actionnement.

This object can be achieved thanks to the implementation of a method for controlling an electromechanical device for actuating a lock intended to be coupled to a lock in order to actuate it electrically, the lock comprising a movable part capable of driving at least one movable primary bolt of the lock in at least a first closed position where the primary bolt is deployed and in a second open position where the primary bolt is retracted, the electromechanical lock actuation device comprising:

• an actuation mechanism capable of being coupled to the movable part of the lock,
• an electric motor to drive the actuating mechanism,
• a programmable control unit configured to control at least one parameter of the electric motor selected from a rotation speed, a drive direction and a mechanical torque, the control unit being configured to determine a position of at least the primary lock from the determination of a variable position of the actuation mechanism,
• a reference curve containing at least one profile of a variable force applied by the actuation mechanism for driving the moving part as a function of the variable position of the actuation mechanism,
• a memory configured to store at least the reference curve,

the control method comprising the following steps:

1. a) measurement of the variable position of the actuating mechanism,
2. b) control of at least one parameter of the electric motor by the control unit as a function of the reference curve, of the drive direction of the electric motor and of the variable position of the actuation mechanism.

Some preferred but non-limiting aspects of the control method are as follows.

According to one mode of implementation, the method comprises a step d) of measuring at least one variable force necessary for driving the moving part by the actuation mechanism, and in which the control unit is in further configured to drive the electric motor based on the measurement of said variable force.

According to one mode of implementation, step b) of the control method comprises the control of the electric motor by the control unit so that the primary lock is placed in the second open position, the control method comprising the following additional step:
c) control of the electric motor by the control unit in such a way that the actuating mechanism drives the movable part, mechanically coupled with a movable secondary bolt of the lock capable of occupying at least a fourth closed position in which the movable secondary lock is deployed and capable of occupying at least a fifth open position in which the movable secondary lock is retracted, so that the secondary lock selectively maintains the fourth closed position or adopts the fifth open position.

According to one mode of implementation, the control method comprises the following step:
f) analysis of the reference curve and of the direction of movement of the actuation mechanism by the control unit for the determination by the control unit of at least a first zone of variable positions of the actuation mechanism, one of which corresponding second variable force necessary for driving at least the movable part is substantially minimum and/or constant, the second force being less than a first force characterizing an abutment of the primary lock.

According to one mode of implementation, the control method comprises the additional step i) located after step a) and consisting of the analysis of the reference curve and the direction of movement of the actuating mechanism by the control unit for determination by the control unit:
at least one second zone of variable positions of the actuating mechanism, the corresponding fourth variable force of which and necessary for driving at least the moving part reaches a local maximum, the fourth force being greater than the second force and less to the first force.

According to one mode of implementation, the control method comprises the following additional steps:
j) analysis of the reference curve and the direction of movement of the mechanism of actuation by the control unit for the determination by the control unit:
at least one third zone of variable positions of the actuating mechanism, the corresponding third variable force of which and necessary for driving at least the moving part is between the second variable force and the fourth variable force,

According to one mode of implementation, the control method comprises the following step: g) control of the electric motor by the control unit so that the electric motor adopts a first minimum speed when the variable position of the actuating mechanism corresponds to a position contained in the first zone.

According to one mode of implementation, step b) comprises, when locking the lock, stopping the electric motor by the control unit when the variable position of the drive mechanism determined in step a) is in the first zone or in the second zone and the primary lock is in the first or third position and, when unlocking the lock, stopping the electric motor when the determined variable position in step a) is in the first zone, the second zone and that the primary lock is in the second position of the primary lock.

• d'au moins une première partie de la première zone adjacente à la deuxième zone et précédant ladite deuxième zone suivant le sens de déplacement,
• k) pilotage du moteur électrique par l'unité de commande de sorte que le moteur électrique accélère pour adopter au moins une deuxième vitesse de moteur électrique, augmentée par rapport à la première vitesse, lorsque la position variable du mécanisme d'actionnement entre dans la première partie de la première zone vers la deuxième zone, suivant le sens de déplacement du mécanisme d'actionnement.

According to one mode of implementation, the control method comprises the following additional steps:
j) analysis of the reference curve and the direction of movement of the actuating mechanism by the control unit for the determination by the control unit:

• at least a first part of the first zone adjacent to the second zone and preceding said second zone in the direction of movement,
• k) driving the electric motor by the control unit so that the electric motor accelerates to adopt at least a second electric motor speed, increased with respect to the first speed, when the variable position of the actuating mechanism enters the first part of the first zone towards the second zone, following the direction of movement of the actuating mechanism.

According to one mode of implementation, step d) of measuring the variable force is carried out for a given variable position, the control method comprises the following steps: m) analysis by the control unit of the measured variable force , by comparison with the variable force corresponding to said variable position given in the reference curve, n) detection of a closing or opening error of at least the primary lock by the control unit when in step d) the variable force measured is greater than that present in the reference curve for said variable position given.

The control method comprises the following additional step: o) control of the electric motor by the control unit so that the electric motor adopts the second electric motor speed when in step d), the measured variable force is greater than that present in the reference curve for the given variable position.

According to one mode of implementation, step b) comprises, when locking the lock, stopping the electric motor by the control unit when the variable position of the drive mechanism determined in step a) is in the first zone, in the second zone or in the third zone and the primary lock is in the first or in the third position and, when unlocking the lock, the electric motor stops when the variable position determined in step a) is in the first zone, the second zone or the third zone and the primary lock is in the second position of the primary lock.

• analyse de la courbe de référence et du sens de déplacement du mécanisme d'actionnement par l'unité de commande pour la détermination par l'unité de commande :
  • d'au moins une première partie de la première zone adjacente à la deuxième zone et précédant ladite deuxième zone suivant le sens de déplacement, ou
  • d'au moins une première partie de la première zone adjacente à la troisième zone et précédant ladite troisième zone suivant le sens de déplacement,
  • k) pilotage du moteur électrique par l'unité de commande de sorte que le moteur électrique accélère pour adopter au moins une deuxième vitesse de moteur électrique, augmentée par rapport à la première vitesse, lorsque la position variable du mécanisme d'actionnement entre dans la première partie de la première zone vers la deuxième zone ou la troisième zone, suivant le sens de déplacement du mécanisme d'actionnement.

According to one mode of implementation, the method comprises the following additional steps:

• analysis of the reference curve and the direction of movement of the actuating mechanism by the control unit for the determination by the control unit:
  • at least a first part of the first zone adjacent to the second zone and preceding said second zone in the direction of movement, or
  • at least a first part of the first zone adjacent to the third zone and preceding said third zone in the direction of movement,
  • k) driving the electric motor by the control unit so that the electric motor accelerates to adopt at least a second electric motor speed, increased with respect to the first speed, when the variable position of the actuating mechanism enters the first part of the first zone towards the second zone or the third zone, depending on the direction of movement of the actuating mechanism.

• un mécanisme d'actionnement susceptible d'être accouplé à la partie mobile de la serrure,
• un moteur électrique pour actionner le mécanisme d'actionnement,
• un dispositif de mesure d'au moins une position variable du mécanisme d'actionnement,
• une unité de commande programmable configurée pour piloter au moins un paramètre du moteur électrique choisi parmi une vitesse de rotation, un sens d'entraînement et un couple mécanique, l'unité de commande étant en outre configurée pour déterminer une position d'au moins le verrou primaire à partir de la détermination de la position variable du mécanisme d'actionnement par le dispositif de mesure,
• une courbe de référence contenant au moins un profil d'une force variable appliquée par le mécanisme d'actionnement pour l'entraînement de la partie mobile en fonction de la position variable du mécanisme d'actionnement,
• une mémoire configurée pour stocker au moins la courbe de référence, l'unité de commande étant en outre configurée pour piloter le moteur électrique en fonction de la courbe de référence, du sens d'entraînement du moteur électrique et de la position variable de la partie mobile de la serrure mesurée par le dispositif de mesure.

The invention also relates to the provision of an electromechanical lock actuating device intended to actuate a lock comprising a movable part configured so as to drive at least one primary bolt of the lock in at least a first closed position where the lock is deployed and in a second open position where the primary lock is retracted, the electromechanical lock actuation device comprising:

• an actuation mechanism capable of being coupled to the movable part of the lock,
• an electric motor for actuating the actuating mechanism,
• a device for measuring at least one variable position of the actuation mechanism,
• a programmable control unit configured to control at least one parameter of the electric motor selected from a rotation speed, a drive direction and a mechanical torque, the control unit being further configured to determine a position of at least the primary lock from the determination of the variable position of the actuating mechanism by the measuring device,
• a reference curve containing at least one profile of a variable force applied by the actuation mechanism for driving the moving part as a function of the variable position of the actuation mechanism,
• a memory configured to store at least the reference curve, the control unit being further configured to control the electric motor as a function of the reference curve, of the driving direction of the electric motor and of the variable position of the part mobile of the lock measured by the measuring device.

Some preferred but non-limiting aspects of the electromechanical lock actuation device are as follows.

According to one embodiment, the electromechanical lock actuation device comprises a system for measuring at least one variable force necessary for driving the movable part by the actuation mechanism, and in which the unit control is configured to drive the electric motor based on the measurement of said variable force.

According to one mode of implementation, the measuring device is configured to measure an absolute angular position of the actuating mechanism, the measuring device comprising on the one hand a part representative of the angular position of the actuating mechanism and linked kinematically to the actuating mechanism by mechanical transmission elements, on the other hand elements for detecting the position and/or displacement of the representative part connected to the control unit adapted to determine the absolute angular position of the mechanism from the position and/or displacement of the representative part detected by the detection elements.

The invention also relates to the provision of an electric lock comprising a lock having a movable part configured to drive at least one primary lock of the lock in at least a first closed position where the primary lock is deployed and in a second open position where the primary lock is retracted, the electric lock comprising an electromechanical lock actuation device as described previously, the actuation mechanism of which is coupled to the movable part of the lock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• [Fig. 1] représente plusieurs étapes d'un procédé de commande d'un exemple de dispositif électromécanique d'actionnement de serrure selon l'invention, accouplé à une serrure ne comprenant qu'un verrou primaire ;
• [Fig. 2] représente plusieurs étapes d'un procédé de commande d'un exemple de dispositif électromécanique d'actionnement de serrure selon l'invention, accouplé à une serrure comprenant un verrou primaire et un verrou secondaire ;
• [Fig. 3] représente un exemple de courbe de référence comprenant un profil de force en fonction d'une position du mécanisme d'actionnement ;
• [Fig. 4] représente un dispositif de mesure d'une position d'un mécanisme d'actionnement.

Other aspects, objects, advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better on reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings. on which ones :

• [ Fig. 1 ] shows several steps of a method for controlling an example of an electromechanical lock actuation device according to the invention, coupled to a lock comprising only a primary lock;
• [ Fig. 2 ] represents several steps of a method for controlling an example of an electromechanical lock actuation device according to the invention, coupled to a lock comprising a primary lock and a secondary lock;
• [ Fig. 3 ] shows an example of a reference curve comprising a profile of force as a function of a position of the actuation mechanism;
• [ Fig. 4 ] represents a device for measuring a position of an actuation mechanism.

DETAILED EXPLANATION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

On the figures 1 to 4 appended and in the rest of the description, the same references represent identical or similar elements in functional terms. In addition, the various elements are not shown to scale so as to favor the clarity of the figures to facilitate understanding. Furthermore, the different embodiments and variants are not mutually exclusive and can on the contrary be combined with each other, while remaining within the scope of the claims.

In the remainder of the description, unless otherwise indicated, the terms “substantially”, “approximately”, “overall” and “of the order of” mean “within 10%”.

By "lock", we mean not only a lock stricto sensu, that is to say a mechanism associated for example with a door to block its opening, but also any device making it possible to achieve a comparable result, for example a lock barrel considered in isolation, or a more specific locking device comprising various components not grouped together in the same lock case, the ultimate goal being to obtain locking by mechanical means of physical access to a given place or space, and access to this place or space by unlocking the lock device, on command or programming from a user. For the simplicity of the description, we will speak hereafter simply of "lock", but this term must be understood in its broadest sense, without any restrictive nature to a particular type of equipment.

The invention relates in the first place to a method for controlling an electromechanical lock actuation device 10 intended to actuate a lock 13. As illustrated in the figure 1 , the lock 13 may include a movable part 104. The movable part 104 is configured so as to drive, for example using gears, at least one primary lock 105. The primary lock 105 is for example a deadbolt. The primary lock 105 can be deployed in at least a first closed position P1 and retracted in a second open position P2. The primary lock can also be deployed in a third closed position P3, in which, as in the first closed position P1, the leaf is locked with respect to the frame. The primary lock 105 can thus come into engagement with a frame of a leaf in order to ensure locking of the leaf with respect to the frame. In the second retracted position P2, the lock 13 is open. The first, second and third positions P1, P2, P3 can correspond to different lock turns 13.

As illustrated on the figure 1 , the electromechanical lock actuating device 10 comprises an actuating mechanism 103. The actuating mechanism 103 is configured to couple with the movable part 104 in order to cause it to move and thus cause the setting in movement of the primary lock 105. The coupling can for example be done in rotation or in translation using gears. In another example, the coupling is electromagnetic.

The electromechanical lock actuation device 10 also comprises an electric motor 101 configured to actuate the actuation mechanism 103. The electric motor 101 can for example be a DC motor, with or without brushes. Its rotation speed, its drive direction and its mechanical torque can be controlled by changing the voltage and/or the current at its terminals. It can be associated with a reducer, we thus speak of a geared motor.

The electromechanical lock actuation device 10 also comprises a control unit 102 programmable manually or automatically or remotely and configured to control at least one parameter of the electric motor 101 chosen from among its speed, its driving direction and the torque . The control unit 102 comprises for example one or more microcontrollers and/or a microprocessor and/or one or more memories in order to be able to execute programs or receive instructions. The control unit 102 can also contain wired or wireless communication means of the cellular network type such as UMTS, LTE or even Bluetooth ^© or Wifi or NFC (acronym for Near Field Communication in English) or equivalent in order to receive instructions remotely or send data. The document FR2996947 describes in detail examples that those skilled in the art can use.

The electromechanical lock actuation device 10 also comprises a device 107 for measuring at least one variable position of the actuation mechanism 103. The variable positions of the actuation mechanism 103 thus measured can be sent to the control unit 102. The measuring device may comprise a set of encoders which are capable of determining the angular or variable position of the actuating mechanism 103 during the movements by electric drive under the action of the electric motor 13. These encoders comprise for example elements monitoring of the current necessary for the operation of the electric motor 13. Another embodiment of the measuring device 107 is illustrated in the figure 4 . In this example, the measuring device 107 is configured to measure an absolute angular position of the actuation mechanism 103. The measuring device 107 also comprises in this example on the one hand a representative part 130 of the angular position of the actuation 103, for example provided with a magnet. The representative part 130 is kinematically linked to the actuation mechanism 103 by mechanical transmission elements, for example gears allowing a gear reduction. This advantageously makes it possible to measure a range of angular position greater than 360°. On the other hand, the measuring device 107 comprises elements 131 for detecting the position and/or displacement of the representative part 130, such as for example a magnetoresistive sensor or an electronic magnetometer. From these angular position data, the control unit 102, to which the measuring device 107 is connected, is adapted to determine the absolute angular position of the actuation mechanism 103 from the position and/or the displacement of the representative part 130 detected by the detection elements 131.

The control unit 102 is further configured to determine a position of the primary lock 105 from the measurement of a variable position, such as for example an angular position of the actuation mechanism 103. This determination is made during a learning phase carried out during installation. For example, during this learning phase, the primary lock 105 is placed manually in the closed position then manually in the open position, which makes it possible to know which direction of movement is used to close the door or to open it as well. only the position of the extreme stops of the primary lock 105. This association between the position measuring device 107 and the control unit is therefore advantageous because it makes it possible at any time to know the position of the lock and to know the state, for example of the door supporting the lock.

During the learning phase, carried out once and for all during installation, a reference curve 106 is obtained by the control unit 102 by varying the position of the electric motor 101 and by recording a representative profile, for example of the variable force F applied by the actuating mechanism 103 for driving the moving part 104, in other words the force provided at the level of the electric motor for driving the moving part 104. When the lock 13 comprises one or more locks then the variable force measured is not only the driving force of the mobile part 104 but also that necessary to move the locks.

The variable force F required to drive the moving part 104 by the actuation mechanism 103 is measured by a measurement system 108. The measurement system 108 can for example consist of a system for measuring the current flowing through the electric motor . Indeed, for a DC motor, the variable force or torque is directly proportional to the current flowing through the electric motor. Thus the higher the measured current, the higher the variable force F. Over the stroke of the actuating mechanism 103, the variable force F is different depending on whether the motor drives the movable part 104 via a cam or operates empty, or if the movable part 104 or the primary lock 105 encounters hard points such as friction, due to misalignment or wear. An example of this reference curve is shown in the picture 3 . The variable force reaches a first value F1 when the primary lock 105 is in its first closed position P1. Here, this first force F1 is close to the maximum force in the reference curve 106 insofar as the closure corresponds to a stop.

As the primary lock 105 deviates from its closed position P1 during an unlocking movement, the variable force F measured shows passages where it is minimum, corresponding to empty passages, without load drive. The control unit 102, by analyzing the reference curve 106 can therefore define at least a first zone 200 of variable positions of the actuation mechanism 103 where the variable force is minimum or constant. The corresponding force is named second variable force F2. The low force required for the drive device during the passage through the first zone 200 makes it possible to control the electric motor 101 in order to adopt a first minimum speed. Advantageously, this makes it possible to reduce the noise generated.

When the drive device 103 causes the movement of the moving part 104, that is to say when a cam allows the linear movement of the moving part 104 from an angular movement of a rotor of a lock cylinder driven by the drive device 103, then the measured variable force F varies to reach a local maximum, corresponding to a fourth force F4 greater than the second variable force F2, but less than the first variable force F1. The control unit 102, by analyzing the reference curve 106 can therefore define at least a second zone 202 of variable positions of the actuation mechanism 103. This second zone 202 is found again when passing to the intermediate position P3 and when passage to the second open position P2. The race can be continued by a new first zone 200, then the variable force increases again on arrival at one of the stops.

A third zone 203 can also be defined by the control unit 102, when the variable force takes intermediate values F3 between the second variable force F2 and the fourth variable force F4. This third zone 203 corresponds to passages of hard points such as friction, due to poor alignment or wear.

In the general case where the lock 13 comprises a rotor actuating a cam then a single change of position of the primary lock 105 corresponds to the angular displacement of the rotor over one revolution during which the variable positions of the actuation mechanism 103 follow at least a first zone 200 and a part of a second zone 202. In other words, a continuous displacement of the actuation mechanism 103 according to several variable positions along a part of a first zone and at least part of a second zone 202 makes it possible to obtain a single change of position of the primary lock 105, for example from the first position P1 to the third position P3.

Advantageously, the control unit 102 can use the information on the position of the first, second and third zones 200, 202, 203 to control the electric motor 101 in order to vary its speed in accordance: accelerations can be provided for example to pass the hard points or the second zones 202 of change of position of the mobile part 104 of the primary lock 105. Thus, the first minimum speed is maintained for the passage of at least a part of the first zones 200. Also, the motor electric 101 passes from the first speed to a second speed higher than the previous one at the level of the zones 202 or 203 before decreasing again to the first speed as soon as the corresponding zones 202 or 203 are exceeded. This advantageously makes it possible to only temporarily increase the speed of the electric motor 101. In another example, the electric motor 101 passes from the first to the second speed at the level of a part of the first adjacent zone displacement, to a second zone 202 or to a third zone 203. This advantageously allows the electric motor 101 to gain momentum in order to force less for the passage of the hard point or changes in position of the mobile part 104. This allows save energy and limit noise due to excessively high speeds over the entire stroke.

In one example, the reference curve 106 is stored in an electronic memory, for example hosted by the control unit 102.

In most cases, the lock 13 comprises in addition to the primary lock 105, a mobile secondary lock 110 mechanically coupled to the mobile part 104. This is for example a spring bolt, which can be driven manually by the door handle, but also at the end of the opening travel of the primary lock 105. In this case, the secondary lock 110 is coupled to the movable part 104 only when the primary lock 105 has passed the second opening position P2 as it is illustrated on the picture 2 . The secondary lock 110 is capable of occupying at least a fourth closed position P4 in which the movable secondary lock 110 is deployed and a fifth open position in which the movable secondary lock 110 is retracted. When the fourth closed position P4 is reached then even if the primary lock 105 is not engaged with a door frame, for example if the primary lock has reached its second open position P2, the door remains closed. When the fifth position P5 is reached while the primary lock 105 has reached its second open position P2, then the door is open and can half open by elastic effect.

The choice of stopping the opening stroke of the drive device 103 after reaching the second open position P2 of the primary lock 105 and before reaching the fifth open position P5 of the secondary lock makes it possible to manage the unlocking of the door without it being ajar by elastic effect or being able to be opened for example by a gust of wind. This option may be preferable in the case of a remote opening control via the wireless control of the control unit 102. Conversely, if you wish to be able to manage a so-called hands-free opening, for example without the hands or without requiring action on the door handle, so that there is only need to push the door for it to open, then the opening stroke of the drive device 103 must be continued until reaching the fifth opening position of the secondary lock P5..

In most cases of lock, the secondary lock 110 is connected to a return device 110a illustrated on the figure 2 constituted for example by a spring. The return device 110a is arranged to return the secondary lock 110 from the fifth open position P5 to the fourth closed position P4. In the case where the secondary lock 110 is coupled to the movable part 104 only when the primary lock 105 has reached its opening position P2, then it is possible to manage the opening of the associated door by acting on the compression rate of the reminder device 110a. Thus, the primary lock 105 is placed first of all in its second open position P2, then an additional force reaching approximately the first variable force F1 is reached signifying a total compression of the return device 110a. This is illustrated on the picture 3 . The control unit 102 can thus control the opening of the associated door based on the analysis of the variable force applied after placing the primary lock 105 in the second open position P2.

1. a) mesure de la position variable du mécanisme d'actionnement 103,
2. b) pilotage d'au moins un paramètre du moteur électrique 101 par l'unité

de commande 102 en fonction de la courbe de référence 106, du sens d'entraînement du moteur électrique 101 et de la position variable du mécanisme d'actionnement 103.In a first so-called stop-before-stop control method, the following steps are carried out:

1. a) measurement of the variable position of the actuation mechanism 103,
2. b) control of at least one parameter of the electric motor 101 by the unit

control 102 as a function of the reference curve 106, of the driving direction of the electric motor 101 and of the variable position of the actuating mechanism 103.

Thus in one example, the control unit 102 controls in step b) the stopping of the electric motor 101, during locking, when the variable position of the drive mechanism 103 determined in step a) is in a first empty passage zone 200 or a second zone 202, while the movable part 104 is in the first or in the third position P1, P3 of the primary lock 105. During unlocking, stopping the electric motor 101 takes place when the variable position determined in step a), is in a first or a second zone 200, 202 taken in the second position P2 of the primary lock 105. Stopping the electric motor 101 in a second zone 202 or in a first empty passage zone 200 makes it possible to limit the operating noise of the lock 13 while retaining its locking or unlocking functions. This guarantees that the closed positions P1 or open positions P2 are reached without having to reach the limit stops. Thus, the operating noise of the lock is limited and the service life of the drive device 103 and of the lock is preserved.

In another example, the control method comprises a step d) of measuring, by the measuring device 108, at least one variable force F necessary for driving the moving part 104 by the actuation mechanism 103, and in which the control unit 102 is further configured to drive the electric motor 101 according to the measurement of said variable force F.

In another example of a control method linked to the case where the lock 13 comprises a secondary lock 110, step b) of controlling the electric motor 101 by the control unit 102 is done so that the primary lock 105 is placed in the second open position P2, then the method comprises the additional step c) of driving the electric motor 101 by the control unit 102 so that the actuating mechanism 103 drives the moving part 104, so that the secondary lock 110 is held in the fourth closed position P4. In other words, the additional piloting step c) comprises stopping the motor before driving the secondary lock from its fourth position to the fifth open position. Thus, in the case of a remote control, for example when the user of the control unit 102 is not in sight of the electric lock, it is desirable to keep the leaf closed vis-à-vis the jamb. The lock is then simply unlocked, without the door opening. An additional action, for example on the handle, is then necessary to open the door.

In another example, in a step p), the electric motor 101 is controlled by the control unit 102 so that the secondary lock 110 adopts the fifth open position P5. This advantageously frees the door associated so that it can be opened, by elastic effect due to the secondary lock 110, without hands.

Another example of a control method, called at minimum speed, comprises a step f) of analyzing the reference curve 106 and the direction of movement of the actuation mechanism 103 by the control unit 102 for the determination by the control unit 102 of the first zone 200 of variable positions of the actuating mechanism 103, of which a second variable force F2 corresponding and necessary for driving at least the primary lock 105 is substantially minimal. By “minimum” is meant “several times less than the fourth variable force F4 of hard point”. The method comprises another step g) of driving the electric motor 101 by the control unit 102 so that the electric motor 101 adopts a first minimum speed when the variable position of the actuation mechanism 103 measured by the measuring device 107 corresponds to a position contained in the first zone 200. This advantageously makes it possible to reduce the operating noise of the locks and in particular of the electric locks, in particular in night operation.

Another example of a control method, called variable speed, comprises a step j) of analysis of the reference curve 106 and of the direction of movement of the actuation mechanism 103 by the control unit 102 for the determination by the control unit 102:
on the one hand of at least a third zone 203 whose corresponding third variable force F3 takes intermediate values F3 between the second variable force F2 and the fourth variable force F4 on the other hand of at least a first part of a first zone 200 adjacent to a second zone 202 and preceding said second zone 202 in the direction of movement.

The method further comprises a step k) of driving the electric motor 101 by the control unit 102 so that the electric motor 101 accelerates to adopt at least a second speed of the electric motor 101, increased with respect to the first speed, when the variable position of the actuation mechanism 103 enters the first part of the first zone 200 towards the second zone 202 or the third zone 203, depending on the direction of movement. This advantageously makes it possible to increase the speed of the electric motor 101 only when necessary, that is to say just before and during the passage of a hard point of the lock or a displacement of the movable part 104.

In another example, called closure verification, step d) of the measurement control method by the measurement system 108 of the variable force F is performed at a given variable position. Another step m) consists of the analysis by the control unit 102 of the measured variable force F, by comparison with the variable force corresponding to the variable position given in the reference curve 106. Then, another step n) consists of the detection of a closing or opening error of at least the primary lock 105 by the control unit 102 when in step d) the variable force F measured is greater than that present in the curve reference 106 corresponding to the given variable position. Error detection may consist, for example, of sending a notification by the control unit 102 or else by repeating steps d) or o) or even stopping the electric motor 101. This method makes it possible in particular to note a bad closing of the door, the drive of the movable part 104 of the primary lock not giving rise in such a case to a locking of the door.

In another example, called adaptation, the control method comprises a step o) of driving the electric motor 101 by the control unit 102 so that the electric motor 101 adopts the second speed of the electric motor 101 when at step d), the variable force F) measured is greater than that present in the reference curve 106 for the given variable position. This method makes it possible to take into account an aging of the electric lock and to adapt the control parameters. In addition, a step of sending a notification by the control unit 102 can be implemented to signal a need for a new learning method.

The invention also relates to an electromechanical lock actuation device 10 intended to actuate a lock 13 as described above.

• le mécanisme d'actionnement 103 configuré pour s'accoupler avec la partie mobile 104,
• le moteur électrique 101 configuré pour actionner le mécanisme d'actionnement 103,
• le dispositif de mesure 107 d'au moins une position variable du mécanisme d'actionnement 103,
• l'unité de commande 102 programmable,
• la courbe de référence 106,
• la mémoire configurée pour stocker au moins la courbe de référence 106.

The electromechanical lock actuation device 10 then comprises:

• the actuation mechanism 103 configured to couple with the moving part 104,
• the electric motor 101 configured to actuate the actuating mechanism 103,
• the device 107 for measuring at least one variable position of the actuation mechanism 103,
• the 102 programmable control unit,
• the reference curve 106,
• the memory configured to store at least the reference curve 106.

The control unit 102 is further configured to drive the electric motor 101 as a function of at least one element chosen from among the reference curve 106, the drive direction of the electric motor 101 and the variable position of the measured mobile part. by the measuring device 107. This electromechanical lock actuation device 10 is advantageous because it makes it possible to reduce the actuation noise of the locks 13 with which it is associated. Indeed, knowing the hard points in advance allows the control unit 102 to intelligently control the speed of the electric motor 101 in order to increase it only before the hard points and then to lower it in order to preserve a low level. sound. An actuation device 10 which could not determine the position of the actuation mechanism 103 could not anticipate hard points and thus could not reduce the operating noise of the associated lock 13.

In one example, the electromechanical lock actuation device 10 further comprises the system 108 for measuring at least one variable force F necessary to drive the movable part 104 by the actuation mechanism 103. In this example , the control unit 102 is further configured to control the electric motor 101 according to the measurement of said variable force F. This advantageously makes it possible to detect errors when closing or when opening the lock.

In another example, the measuring device 107 of the electromechanical lock actuation device 10 is configured to measure an absolute angular position of the actuation mechanism 103. The measuring device 107 further comprises on the one hand a representative part 130 of the angular position of the actuating mechanism 103 and kinematically linked to the actuating mechanism 103 by mechanical transmission elements, on the other hand detection elements 131 of the position and/or displacement of the representative part connected to the control unit 102 adapted to determine the absolute angular position of the actuating mechanism 103 from the position and/or displacement of the representative part 130 detected by the detection elements 131. This allows precise detection of the position as well as its use to drive the electric motor 101 precisely and thus reduce the noise generated.

The invention also relates to an electric lock comprising a lock 13 having a movable part 104 configured so as to drive at least one primary lock 105 of the lock 13 into at least a first closed position P1 where the primary lock 105 is deployed and in a second open position P2 where the primary lock 105 is retracted. The electric lock 12 has further an electromechanical lock actuation device 10 as described above and/or operating according to a control method described above. An electric lock 12 as described thus would advantageously be quieter by making it possible to increase the operating speed when passing hard points or to reduce it afterwards and to stop before the angular stops of the lock 13.

Claims (15)

1. A method for controlling a latch actuation electromechanical device (10) intended to be coupled to a latch (13) in order to electrically actuate it, the latch (13) including a movable portion (104) adapted to drive at least one movable primary lock (105) of the latch (13) into at least one first closure position (P1) where the primary lock (105) is deployed and into a second opening position (P2) where the primary lock (105) is retracted, the latch actuation electromechanical device (10) comprising:

   - an actuation mechanism (103) able to be coupled to the movable portion (104) of the latch (13),

   - an electric motor (101) to drive the actuation mechanism (103),

   - a programmable control unit (102) configured to control at least one parameter of the electric motor (101) selected amongst a rotational speed, a drive direction and a mechanical torque, the control unit (102) being configured to determine a position of at least the primary lock (105) from the determination of a variable position of the actuation mechanism (103),

   - a reference curve (106) containing at least one profile of a variable force (F) applied by the actuation mechanism (103) for driving the movable portion (104) as a function of the variable position of the actuation mechanism (103),

   - a memory configured to store at least the reference curve (106),

   the method comprising the following steps:

   a) measurement of the variable position of the actuation mechanism (103),

   b) controlling at least one parameter of the electric motor (101) by the control unit (102) according to the reference curve (106), the drive direction of the electric motor (101) and the variable position of the actuation mechanism (103).
2. The method according to claim 1, including a step d) of measuring at least one variable force (F) necessary to the driving of the movable portion (104) by the actuation mechanism (103), and wherein the control unit (102) is further configured to control the electric motor (101) according to the measurement of said variable force (F).
3. The method according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein step b) comprises the controlling of the electric motor (101) by the control unit (102) so that the primary lock (105) is placed into the second opening position (P2),
   the method comprising the following additional step:
   c) controlling the electric motor (101) by the control unit (102) such that the actuation mechanism (103) drives the movable portion (104), mechanically coupled with a movable secondary lock (110) of the latch (13) adapted to occupy at least one fourth closure position (P4) in which the movable secondary lock (110) is deployed and adapted to occupy at least one fifth opening position (P5) in which the movable secondary lock (110) is retracted, so that the secondary lock (110) selectively holds the fourth closure position (P4) or adopts the fifth opening position (P5).
4. The method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the method comprises the following step:
   f) analysis of the reference curve (106) and of the direction of displacement of the actuation mechanism (103) by the control unit (102) for the determination by the control unit (102) of at least one first area (200) of variable positions of the actuation mechanism (103) for which a second variable force (F2) corresponding and necessary to the driving of at least the movable portion (104) is substantially minimum and/or constant, the second force (F2) being lower than a first force (F1) characterizing a limit stop of the primary lock (105).
5. The method according to claim 4, comprising the additional step i) coming after step a) and consisting in the analysis of the reference curve (106) and of the direction of displacement of the actuation mechanism (103) by the control unit (102) for the determination by the control unit (102): of at least one second area (202) of variable positions of the actuation mechanism (103) for which the fourth variable force (F4) corresponding and necessary to the driving of at least the movable portion (104) reaches a local maximum, the fourth force (F4) being higher than the second force (F2) and lower than the first force (F1).
6. The method according to claim 5, comprising the following additional steps:
   j) analysis of the reference curve (106) and of the direction of displacement of the actuation mechanism (103) by the control unit (102) for the determination by the control unit (102):
   of at least one third area (203) of variable positions of the actuation mechanism (103) for which the third variable force (F3) corresponding and necessary to the driving of at least the movable portion (104) is comprised between the second variable force (F2) and the fourth variable force (F4).
7. The method according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the method comprises the following step:
   g) controlling the electric motor (101) by the control unit (102) so that the electric motor (101) adopts a first minimum speed when the variable position of the actuation mechanism (103) corresponds to a position contained in the first area (200).
8. The method according to any of claims 5 to 7, step b) comprising, during a locking of the latch (13), the stoppage of the electric motor (101) by the control unit (102) when the variable position of the drive mechanism (103) determined at step a) is in the first area (200) or in the second area (202) and the primary lock (105) is in the first or in the third position (P1, P3) and, during an unlocking of the latch (13), the stoppage of the electric motor (101) when the variable position determined at step a) is in the first area (200), the second area (202) and the primary lock (105) is in the second position (P2) of the primary lock (105).
9. The method according to claims 5 to 8, comprising the following additional steps:

   j) analysis of the reference curve (106) and of the direction of displacement of the actuation mechanism (103) by the control unit (102) for the determination by the control unit (102).

   of at least one first portion of the first area (200) adjacent to the second area (202) and preceding said second area (202) along the direction of displacement,

   k) controlling the electric motor (101) by the control unit (102) so that the electric motor (101) accelerates to adopt at least one second electric motor (101) speed, increased in comparison with the first speed, when the variable position of the actuation mechanism (103) enters into the first portion of the first area (200) towards the second area (202), along the direction of displacement of the actuation mechanism (103).
10. The method according to any of claims 2 to 9, wherein step d) of measuring the variable force (F) is carried out for a specific variable position, the method comprises the followings steps: m) analysis by the control unit (102) of the measured variable force (F), by comparison with the variable force corresponding to said specific variable position in the reference curve (106),
    n) detection of a closure or opening error of at least the primary lock (105) by the control unit (102) when at step d) the measured variable force (F) is higher than that present in the reference curve (106) for said specific variable position.
11. The method according to claim 10, comprising the following additional step:
    o) controlling the electric motor (101) by the control unit (102) so that the electric motor (101) adopts the second electric motor (101) speed when at step d), the measured variable force (F) is higher than that present in the reference curve (106) for the specific variable position.
12. A latch actuation electromechanical device (10) intended to actuate a latch (13) including a movable portion (104) configured so as to drive at least one primary lock (105) of the latch (13) into at least one first closure position (P1) where the primary lock (105) is deployed and into a second opening position (P2) where the primary lock (105) is retracted, the latch actuation electromechanical device (10) comprising:

    - an actuation mechanism (103) able to be coupled to the movable portion (104) of the latch (13),

    - an electric motor (101) to actuate the actuation mechanism (103),

    - a device (107) for measuring at least one variable position of the actuation mechanism (103),

    - a programmable control unit (102) configured to control at least one parameter of the electric motor (101) selected amongst a rotational speed, a drive direction and a mechanical torque, the control unit (102) being further configured to determine a position of at least the primary lock (105) from the determination of the variable position of the actuation mechanism (103) by the measuring device (107),

    - a reference curve (106) containing at least one profile of a variable force (F) applied by the actuation mechanism (103) for driving the movable portion (104) as a function of the variable position of the actuation mechanism (103),

    - a memory configured to store at least the reference curve (106),
    the control unit (102) being further configured to control the electric motor (101) according to the reference curve (106), the drive direction of the electric motor (101) and the variable position of the movable portion (104) of the latch (13) measured by the measuring device (107).
13. The latch actuation electromechanical device (10) according to claim 12, comprising a system (108) for measuring at least one variable force (F) necessary to the driving of the movable portion (104) by the actuation mechanism (103), and wherein the control unit (102) is configured to control the electric motor (101) according to the measurement of said variable force (F).
14. The latch actuation electromechanical device (10) according to any of claims 12 or 13, wherein the measuring device (107) is configured to measure an absolute angular position of the actuation mechanism (103), the measuring device (107) comprising on the one hand a part (130) representative of the angular position of the actuation mechanism (103) and cinematically linked to the actuation mechanism (103) by mechanical transmission elements and, on the other hand, elements (131) for detecting the position and/or the displacement of the representative part connected to the control unit (102) adapted to determine the absolute angular position of the actuation mechanism (103) from the position and/or the displacement of the representative part (130) detected by the detection elements (131).
15. An electric latch (12) including a latch (13) having a movable portion (104) configured so as to drive at least one primary lock (105) of the latch (13) into at least one first closure position (P1) where the primary lock (105) is deployed and into a second opening position (P2) where the primary lock (105) is retracted, the electric latch (12) including a latch actuation electromechanical device (10) according to any of claims 12 to 14 whose actuation mechanism (103) is coupled to the movable portion (104) of the latch.

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