FR2590616A1 - MECANO-ELECTRONIC KEY LOCK. - Google Patents

Abstract

Lock having a movable part 8 integral with at least one bolt and individualization elements coordinated with corresponding elements of a portable removable key 30 actuating the movable part 8. The key 30 has at least one member 31 of standard type cooperating mechanically with a complementary member 7 also standard of the movable part 8 which is kept permanently blocked by a coupling mechanism 12 integral with a fixed part 1 of the device and neutralizable by electrical means 13 subjected to an electronic assembly comprising a reader 40 verifying the conformity of data stored in a memory carried by the key 30, the memory of the key 30 being connected to the reader 40 by two sets of contacts located respectively on the key 30 and in the lock and which can remain associated during the movements of the key 30 in the lock, except during those corresponding to its introduction and withdrawal. (CF DRAWING IN BOPI)

Description

MECANO-ELECTRONIC KEY LOCK

  Traditionally, the locks operate by depiacement of moving mechanical parts operated by means

  a cletf manipulated by the muscular force of the user.

  Atin only authorized users can do

  In order to ionize a lock, individual elements have been

  both in the lock and on the corresponding keys. Naturally, these elements could only be complementary forms definitively given to the mechanical parts and the progress in the matter finally only consisted in making these forms more difficult to identify and to copy, the principle of functioning being left unchanged in its foundation since time

immemorial.

  From the onset of electronics, especially computer science, it was thought to replace keys and locks with cards and readers. Unfortunately, these attempts did not lead to satisfactory results because in wanting to apply the muscular force of man by motors to use the full resources of modern technology, we became aware of the very great force developed by Man with his only hand and wrist. It was then found that it was necessary to use very bulky and expensive engines inapplicable, for example, to doors with a lock controlling two or three, four or even five pins located at the end of rods according to the invention. unt! tinersiatlque providing ifievizaulement significant friction and jamming that only human skill

Salt defeat easily.

  It was hoped to find a solution to this problem in

Z 2590616

  practicing simplifications which have proved to be

  incompatible with the desired degree of security. It is clear, for example, that replacing a five-pen lock by a simple electric strike operated by an electromagnet solves the problem of power and we can ensure the control of the residue by a magnetic card or by manipulating a keyboard but that, simultaneously, it suffices

  made of a simple robust lever to break the dam.

  It was also thought to separate the recognition function of the user ("habilitation") and the mechanical control function. In this case, an electronic object such as a badge, a card, etc. is introduced into a reader and after authorization the bearer of this object can access a

  mechanical control member: knob, handle and other.

  This solution is not entirely satisfactory either, since the protection of the control member is frustrated and

  does not reach the level of performance provided by a service

modern style.

  The present invention proposes a new solution 2t0 which combines computer security with the efficiency of

the locksmith.

  To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for the condemnation and de-conviction of an access, of the type comprising a mobile obstacle, such as a door, provided with a lock having on the one hand a part movable integral with at least one locking member such as a bolt for the immobilization of the obstacle and secondly individualization elements coordinated to corresponding elements

  carried by a portable removable key intended for action-

  of the movable piece, characterized in that in view of this direct actuation, the key has at least one standard type member intended to cooperate mechanically with a complementary member also standard of the moving part and in that the latter is maintained permanently blocked by a

  coupling mechanism integral with a fixed part of the disc

2590616

  positive and neutralizable by electrical means subjected to an electronic assembly which comprises a data reader stotkt; s in a memory carried by the key and constituting the individualization elements of said key, reading d - -; s data. include their recognition by the

  the reader by means of information contained in it and

  the keys of the key are to be connected to the reader by two sets of contacts located respectively on the key and in the key.

  lock and can remain associated during the movements

  l clen danns the lock, except during those corresponding ;.

its introduction and withdrawal.

  According to other features of the invention: the key comprises on the one hand contacts that are distinct from those to be connected to the reader and, on the other hand,

  connection of these contacts to a current source

  the lock having separate contacts of the reader, which correspond to the separate contacts of the key and which are part of a supply circuit of the electronic assembly and electrical means; the electronic assembly and the electrical means being

  incorporated in a circuit connected to a current supply pro--

  from a fixed source, the circuit of which the separate contacts form part includes means of any type u (i) to neutralize the current arrival from the fixed line; assembly trecnlque elec and a switch interposed on a conduit cur .llinimentation electrical means so that the switch is selectively open and closed in correlation Vt & -I the operation of the electronic assembly;

  the coupling mechanism consists of an electro-

  magnet having a movable plunger located opposite a lodge iltent of the moving part, this plunger being constantly sol {licte, healthy external energy supply, to a position called "active" in which he is engaged in the housing while it is held in a position called "erasure" in which it is out of the housing, only when the electromagnet is supplied with electric current;

  - The end of the key has a shape other than circular

  and constitutes the organ intended to cooperate

  with a correspondingly shaped complementary member of the movable piece; - The contacts in the lock are fixed and the contacts on the key are circular; - the circular contacts are parallel and surround the stem of the key; - The circular contacts are concentric and located on the end of the rod perpendicular to its axis;

  - the contacts in the lock are movable and asso--

  to guide the movements of the key in the lock; - The contacts in the lock are arranged at the end of a flexible insulating tape containing conductors connected on the one hand to the contacts and on the other hand to the reader; the contacts on the key are of the type usually provided on portable memory cards and are fixed on a flat face of the rod; - the key having a substantially flat stem, the latter has a lateral housing to receive a memory

  electronics, as well as a peripheral shoulder to the

  Similarly, the same external perimeter and the same depth as the set of contacts connected to said memory, so that -cux cifl'urefnt the corresponding side face of the rod.

  The invention will be better understood by the description

  detailed below with reference to the accompanying drawing. Well

  understood, the description and the drawing are given only

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  as an indicative and non-limiting example.

  FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view in longitudinal section.

  dinale of a lock according to the invention, in a situation

waiting for a key.

  FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic front view of the

same lock.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic view in longitudinal section;

  dinal of the same lock after introduction of a key

according to the invention.

  Figures 4 and 5 are diagrammatic views respectively in longitudinal section and front of a <: lef according to the invention, according to a particular embodiment. FIG. 6 is a partial schematic perspective view of a key according to the invention, according to another

embodiment.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic view in trans section

  of a key according to the invention during the operation of

  ration of setting up a memory and its contacts

access.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic view in cross-section

  versale of the same key after setting up the memory and

from his acces contacts.

  Figures 9 to 13 are schematic views tlin

  cross-section illustrating a particular embodiment

relate to the invention.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing the use of a source of electrical current external to the lock and

combined with the key.

  A lock according to the invention comprises banal parts and well known to those skilled in the art,

  so that in the following description it will not be

  to those of those parties which are necessary for

  the understanding of the invention. In particular, we do not

  will not scratch the fasteners of the lock to a door,

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  the operation of one or more slats with strikes, the kinematics possible to obtain the displacement of such slats from a key etc. Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a lock according to the invention which comprises a fixed barrel 1 in which a shell 2 is pivotally mounted and has two

  linear guides diametrically opposed 3 and 4 for a key.

  The barrel 1 is fixed on a piece 5 which is part of the lock and which has a central passage 6 giving access to a housing 7 of a movable part 8 kinematically connected to one or more bolts (not shown). The movable piece if is pivotally mounted thanks to a smooth ring 9 engaged to

  gentle friction in a circular housing of cor-

  respondant provided in a fixed part 10 of the lock.

  The fixed part 5 has a hole 11 in front of which is.

  finds a plunger 12 of an electromagnet 13. In front of the hole 11, there is a housing 14 formed in the movable part 8, so that the housing 14 is also located opposite the

diver 12.

  The electromagnet 13 is supplied with electric current

  than by two conductors 20 and 21, one of which, 20, is equipped with a switch 22 of any type known to be opened and closed by an electrical command which is transmitted to it by a line 23. When no current flows through line 23, the switch remains automatically in the open position and the electromagnet is not powered, the consequence of this fact being that the plunger 12 is in the extraction position and, through the hole 11 of the 5, is placed in the housing 14 of the movable part 8. Thus, in the absence of any deliberate control a coupling of the electromagnet 13 fixed and the movable part 8 which is immobilized . The bolt or bolts with which the movable piece 8 is connected are in the closed position and there

are maintained.-

  This "rest" or "waiting" position is the one

  which is shown in Figures I and 2.

  We understand that to open the door, - or other bar-

  rage equipped with this lock, it is necessary to actuate the piece 8 and for this bring the locking plunger 12 in its retraction position, inside the electromagnet 13. According to the invention, it uses for this purpose

  a key 30 of any type known for its design.

  a locksmith organ. In order to be able to act mechanically on the moving part 8, the end 31 of its sledge 32 is; conforming like the housing 7, with a section whose perilmetre is other than circular: according to a square, a rectan8gle cornne represents, a triangle to the other polygon, including at reentrant angles like a star, whereas to be able to cooperate with elements of individuali

  In the case of the lock, electrical means are used.

tronic or "inforlmatic".

  Such a key is shown in Figure 3 in the active position. Its rod 32 is provided with a series of contacts 33 of the type used for the so-called "memory cards", these contacts being connected, precisely, to a memorial (not visible in FIGS.

  an integrated circuit generally called "chip".

  When the key 30 is inserted into the barrel 1-2, lateral pins 34 and 35 that it carries here cooperate with the guides 3 eL 4 to accurately drive the key 30 in a straight line until the end 31 of its rod 32 passes freely. through the passage 6 of the fixed part 5 and reaches the housing 7- of the movable piece 8, the whole according to a orientat: ion correct when it is essential

  considering the section of the end 31 and the housing 7.

  When the end 31 has sufficiently penetrated into the housing 7 - to be able to actuate for sure, the piece 8, the set of contacts 33 is precisely opposite the * contacts (inon shown in Figures 1 to 3) of a Lectour

  410 electronics of any known type.

  8g 2590616 The reader 40 includes all the circuits, emoires and

  components to be able to, first, read the information

  stored in the memory of the CJEU 30, then, verify that this information is indeed elements of individualization of the key 30 corresponding to those of the lock, that is to say those that the reader 40 contains for the have received during his coding and finally cause the

unlocking the moving part 8.

  For these purposes, the reader 40 must be supplied with electrical current, for example by means of conductors 41 which connect it to a fixed source (not shown) which can simply be the electrical installation of a premises whose exit is protected. through the door or other dam equipped with the lock. We will not describe here the details of such a diet which the skilled person knows can be more or less complex: stabilizers, transformer

  low voltage, backup buffer battery etc. We symbolized

  by a line 42 the linking of the set of contacts 33 and the reader 40 but it is known that in fact contacts in the lock must be placed against several,

  all of those in game 33. Line 23 connects the inter--

  switch 22 to the reader 40 so that it can establish the control current in the line 23 and-consequently

  cause the switch 22 to close.

  The operation of this device is therefore as follows:

  At rest, the lock is in the situation of

  gures I and 2. The switch 22 is open, the electromagnet 13 is de-energized and its plunger is biased towards its locking position in the housing 14 of the movable part 8, through the hole 11 of the fixed part 5 The reader 40 is or not powered, but, in any case, the absence of individualization elements of a key has the consequence that the line 23 does not receive current. The one or more slats whose movable piece 8 is secured are in the closed position and

so the door is closed.

  When we introduce a key whose stem corresponds to

  at the entrance of the barrel 1-2, the end of this key can perfectly reach the housing 7 of the movable part 8 and therefore be in the mechanical actuation position of this piece Oi and bolts which in dependent. because, for reasons of simplicity and economy, the safety of the enselmbJ is colipatible with a standardization of these mechanical elements: end of the key shank and lodge b menit 7. Indeed, the unlocking of the piece 8 depends electronic elements whose reliability is incommensurate with the relative simplicity of mechanical means known today, as complex as their appearance appears outward. As soon as this installation of the end of the key in the housing 7 is performed, the reader 40 accesses the memory of the key. Reading this memory is almost

  instantaneous and if it contains many elements of indivi--

  the key 30 corresponding to those of the reader 40, the latter immediately causes the current to be fed into the line 23, which has the effect of closing the switch 22, of feeding the electromagnet 13, d attract the plunger 12 and release the moving part 8. The user can then, as usual, cause the movement of the part 8 until the bolts are in the open position and per

knock on the door to open.

  These operations can, as Man's (Meticer's) know, be more or less complex, since the simplicity of purely manual closures to the automatism-shoots can include motors, springs or

varnish for assistance with movements.

  It has been assumed, in the example just described, that the lock was supplied with electrical energy from a fixed source. But this source may be faulty: panle, public service strike or other interruption. In this hypothesis, it is essential to be able to remedy

  the absence of power and we can then predict that the power supply

  the reader 40, for its own operation and to actuate the switch 22 as well as to control the electromagnet 13 to allow the operation of the lock, is ensured from the key by means of a

autonomous source.

  This solution is illustrated in FIG. 3 by the presence of two contacts 50 and 51 situated on the rod 32 of the key 30 and to which correspond two contacts (not shown) of the lock and connected by conductors 52 to the reader 40. It is necessary to supply the contacts 50 and 51, and provision can be made for this purpose for a portable battery or accumulator of any type known to provide the reader 40 with the

  current it needs in voltage and intensity.

  This use of an autonomous source replaces

  a faulty fixed source is advantageously

  means known per se which neutralize automatically

  Only the current arrival by the conductors 41 when the current comes from the conductors 52, to avoid any incident due to overvoltage or a short circuit if the current of the fixed source is suddenly restored while operating. the lock from the source

  autonolIe through contacts 50--51 and leads 52.

  As explained above, the invention provides for differentiating the mechanical actuation functions from the recognition functions of the individualization elements and thus it is possible to preserve the muscular force of man as a source of energy. . As a result, the electronic recognition functions must be compatible with

  Movements of moving parts: key 30, part 8

  According to a first solution illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the key remains mobile and the contacts of the reader 40,

  located in the lock, are fixed.

  It can be seen from these figures that the key 60 comprises a rod 61 which is no longer of flat shape as in FIGS. 1a but has a cylindrical section, its end 62 here being of square section, which means that the housing of the moving part must also be square. The rod 61 comprises grooves 63 in each of which there is a conductive ring 64 which surrounds the rod 61 and which is isolated from the rod 61 itself if it is made of conductive material, each of these rings 64 corresponding to a determined contact, properly connected with the memory of the

key iO.

  I) years lock, are contacts 65 connected

  individually by drivers 66 to the reader 40 and sol-

  elastically allowed to the bottom of the grooves to remain against the rings 64 by means known per se. In this way, the electrical connection between the key 60 and the reader

  remains assured regardless of the movements of pivots-

key 60.

  If a power supply is planned from

  of an autonomous source, the rod 61 comprises two other

  Ions 67 containing conductive rings 68 supplied from outside the key 60 and the conductors 52 are associated with contacts 69 of the same type as the contacts 65, that is to say resiliently biased towards the rings 68, for quet the reader 40 remains energized during the maneuvers, tide the key 60, regardless of the number of turns that one must

  make him go through to order the lock.

  In FIG. 6, there is shown a variant of this embodiment word according to which the contacts of the key are still circular and closed on themselves, but here the key 70 has a rod 71 whose same end 72 is circular. In order to be able to maneuver the movable part, the rod 71 has a portion with a square section 73 which must be placed in a correspondingly shaped housing of the moving part q (it, then, must be able to be traversed from side to

share.

  With the end 74 of the end 72 perpendicular to the axis of the rod 71, concentric contacts are provided which must be placed against contacts of the lock, for example provided on a radial strip 76 and connected by the conductors 77 to reader 40. Here again, the link between the memory of the key 70 and the reader 40 is ensured in spite of Il-; delplacements of the key lots of the actuation of the

movable pietce. -

  On FIGS. 7 and 8, the raising of

  place on a flat key of the type of the one represented on l.

  FIG. 3, an electronic assembly comprising a memory

  and contacts of the kind used for cards

memory.

  This set includes an integrated circuit 80 with memory

  and contacts 81 arranged as shown in Figure 3.

  The tise 32 of the key 30 is provided with a housing 82 to lat

  periphery of which there is a shoulder 83 whose perimeter

  meter and the depth correspond to the perimeter and the thickness of all the contacts 81. To fix the assembly 80-8l, one can for example place a powerful adhesive 84 in the housing 82 and place the integrated circuit 80 therein than the outer surface of the HI contacts

  as close as possible to the surface of the sidewall.

  lite 32, as shown in Figure 8.

  In addition to the simplicity of the assembly, 80-81 is assured of great security against the risks of tearing off when

engage the key 30 in the lock.

  Referring now to Figures 9 to 13, there is shown another embodiment of the invention according to. which

  30.The keys of the lock are movable.

  For the description of this embodiment, we have

  U'tLenu the texeuiple of the same key 30 of the same type as that of Figures I to 3, 7 and 8 that is to say flat rod 32 and lateral pins 34 and 35, this rod 32 being provided with 'a

electronic assembly 80-81.

  li3 The contacts 90 connected to the reader 40 are located on a flexible and insulating cord 91 of known type. Means

  unrepresented but not within the reach of the Man of Occupation as--

  the contact 90 and contacts 81 were linked together as soon as they were face to face. The flexible cord is of such length that it can be deployed to follow the movements of the key 30, even if it has to travel more than one revolution. In order to prevent the cord from twisting or binding, provision is made in the lock for a fixed cylindrical guide 19U 'muin of a lateral opening 93 in front of which set

  find the cord 91. The reader 40 is supposed to have identified

  the elements of individualisation of the

  key 30 and. the user is supposed to maneuver this key 30.

  In Figure 9, the key 30 has been engaged in the lock. The contacts 81 and 90 are held together

  against the others, the cord 91 is completely relaxed.

  In Figure 10, the key 30 has traveled about one-eighth of a turn. The cord 91 has begun to penetrate the

gulde 92 through the opening 93.

  In Figure 11, the key has traveled about a quarter of a turn. The cord 91 is engaged in the guide 92 but is stretched substantially in a straight line and is not

Encounter in contact with guide 92.

  In Figure 12, the key continues to move and has traveled nearly a half-turn. The bead is clearly stressed at the bend and comes into contact with the wall

  guide 92, keeping it in correct position.

  recte t l. preventing him, in particular, from lying down to excess.

  - In Figure 13, the key has traveled a half-turn

  andffective and the cord 91 is well maintained by the guide 92.

  Throughout this movement, the cord 91 has spread and it is shown here that a possible scheme, starting from the hyprothlese such a cord 91 is of the known type that it has "nerve" and naturally tends to conform in long curves when folded. It can therefore be stored without special precautions because it does not tend to deform arbitrarily. If it does not have these qualities, or if one wants to be more assured against any hazard, one can foresee to wind the cord on a toureL recalled by a spring

represented donkey) of known type.

  During the reverse movement of the key 30, the cord 30 thanks to its relative longitudinal rigidity is pushed back and

  resumes its original position evoked by Figure 9.

  In Figure 14, there is shown an example of mounting for the supply of the lock from an autonomous source. The key 100 is sufficiently thick to be provided with two insulating conduits 101 and 102 pierced with radial holes 103 and 104 in which pass contacts and 106 similar to those 50-51 of Figure 3. The inner diameter of the conduits 101 and 102 corresponds to the outer diameter of conductive pins 107 and 108 which are part of an accumulator 109. The latter is loaded, as is known per se, by engagement of its pins 107 and 108 in a suitable socket. When loaded, it is associated with the key 100 by engagement of its pins 107 and 108 in the conduits 101 and 102, until they are against the contacts 105 and 106.

  then uses key 100 as described above.

  Naturally, one can foresee all sorts of

  electronic cures in themselves known: change of codes (elements of individualization) from the key itself

  especially. This allows, for example, a hotel keeper to

  be to a customer one or more keys corresponding to the lock of his room and to change the codes the day of departure of this customer. It is also possible to remotely control the different locks, to order the emergency opening of all the doors at the same time in case of danger etc. Above are examples of realizations where the contacts of the key and the key remain in force during the movement of the key, but this is only a matter of course. The solution is not an obligation, but it can only be achieved if information is available only for the sake of information at the beginning of the process. NTLA

  s.epares during the movements of the cleff.

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Claims (10)

R E V E N D I C A T I 0 N S CLAIMS   1- Device for the condemnation and de-conviction of an access, of the type comprising a movable obstacle, such as a door, provided with a lock having on the one hand a movable part (8) integral with at least a locking member such as a tongue intended for immobilization   the obstacle and, on the other hand, the elements of individualisation   given to corresponding elements carried by a removable key   tative (30-60-70) for actuating the moving part (8),   characterized in that in view of this direct actuation, the key (30-60-   70) has at least one standard type member (31) for cooperating with   mechanically with a complementary body also standard (7)   of the moving part (8) and that the latter is kept   permanently connected by a coupling mechanism (12) integral with a fixed part (1) of the device and neutralizable by electrical means (13) subjected to an electronic assembly which comprises a -lecteur (40) of data stored in a memory (80) carried by the key (30-60-70) and constituting the individualization elements of said key (30-60-70), the reading of these data to comprise   their recognition by the reader (40) by means of information containing   naked by it and constituting the individualization elements of the lock, the memory (80) of the key (30-60-70) to be connected   the reader (40) by two sets of contacts (81 and 90) located respectively   on the key (30-60-70) and in the lock and can remain associated during the movements of the key (30-60-70) in the lock,   except during those corresponding to its introduction and withdrawal.   2- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the key (30) comprises firstly contacts (50 and 51) separate from those (33) to be connected to the reader (40) and, secondly, of the   means for connecting these contacts to an electrical power source   that the lock has contacts distinct from those of the reader (40), which correspond to the separate contacts (50 and 51) of the key (30) and which are part of a supply circuit of the electronic unit (40). ) and electrical means (13) 3- Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the electronic assembly (40-80) and the electrical means (13) being incorporated in a circuit (41) connected to a current supply from a fixed source, the circuit of which the separate contacts (50 and 51) are part comprise means of any known type enabling   neutralize the arrival of current from the fixed source.   4- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a connection (23) between the electronic assembly (40) and a switch (22) interposed on a conductor (20) supply   electrical means (13) so that this switch (22) is selected   actively open and closed in the electronic assembly (40).   - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling mechanism is constituted by an electromagnet (13) having a movable plunger (12) located opposite a housing (14) of the movable part (8) , this plunger (12) being constantly solicited, without   external energy supply, towards a position called "active" in the-   it is engaged in the housing (14) while it is held in a position called "erasure" in which it is out of the housing (14), only when the electromagnet (13) is powered in Electric power.   6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the end (31-62) of the key (30-60) has a shape other than circular and is the member intended to cooperate mechanically with   a complementary member (7) of corresponding shape of the moving part The 8th).   7- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the contacts (65) in the lock are fixed and in that the   contacts (64-75) located on the key (60-70) are circular.   8- Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the circular contacts (64) are parallel and surround the rod (61) of the key (60).   9- Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the circular contacts (75) are concentric and located on the end   (74) of the rod (71-72) perpendicular to its axis.   - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the contacts (90) in the lock are movable and associated with guides (92) in order to follow the pivoting movements of the key (30) in the lock.   11- Device according to claim 10, characterized in that   the contacts (90) in the lock are arranged at the end   a flexible insulating tape (91) containing connected conductors   on the one hand to the contacts (90) and on the other hand to the reader (40).   12- Device according to claim 10t0, characterized in that the contacts (33-81) located on the key (30) are of the type of those   usually provided on portable memory cards and are   mounted on a flat face (83) of the rod (32).   13- Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the key (30) having a rod (32) substantially flat, the latter   has a lateral housing (82) to receive an electronic memory   tronique (80), and a shoulder (83) peripheral to the housing (82), of the same external perimeter and of the same depth as the set of contacts (81) connected to said memory (80), so that these   flush with the corresponding lateral face of the rod (32).