FR2744753A1 - Electro=mechanical lock released by stored mechanical energy - Google Patents

Abstract

The solenoid (2) is energised by a separate control unit which authenticates a coded card, key, etc., presented to it. After a short free travel the solenoid plunger hits a latch (3) holding the hammer (8) vertical by interacting notches (6,10). The latch suddenly rises, and the hammer spring rotates the freed hammer on its pivot (9). The hammer strikes the bolt lever (14), unlatching the bolt catch (19), which engages a notch on the bolt withdrawal plate (28). The external handle, driving this plate, withdraws the bolt (24). The hammer spring is recharged for the next opening by turning back the handle, when a link (33) resets the hammer. Variants include one employing electrical energy storage.

Description

Electromechanical autonomous lock with energy accumulation and inertial release upon unlocking.

 The invention relates to an autonomous electromechanical lock with energy accumulation and inertial release upon unlocking, preferably cooperating with a programmable access control and management system, for closing office doors or various types of premises: swing, sliding, gates, barriers, etc., called means of access, controlled for example by means of a programmable access control and management system.

 Already known are electric lock systems with electromagnet locking, operating for access locking. They have the major drawback of providing a very low maneuvering effort on take-off of the bolt, with very high point consumption, because the electromagnet takes its force only when it has already reduced its air gap. Also known are motorized lock systems operating by means of a screw-nut device which develops a large and constant force over the entire race, but has the disadvantage of requiring three to four limit switches, position control output and reentry, and door open and door closed position. These detectors greatly reduce the reliability of these locks, because in automation, it has been found that 80% of failures are due to these means of position and limit switch control.

These electromechanical lock devices and the access management means also have other important disadvantages: - short duration of the autonomy of the systems, - uncertain reliability of operation in sometimes humid and very cold atmospheres, considerably increasing the efforts opening, especially in the event of frost.

 The problem to be solved consists in controlling the opening of a door lock with a minimum of electrical energy from an autonomous source disposed inside the lock, while developing a significant mechanical energy to unlock the bolt. .

 The problem is solved according to the invention by storing, in the lock, mechanical or electrical unlocking energy, by acting on a spring by means of an opening handle operated by the operator, or for the massive doors, by means of the kinetic energy of the mass of the door tensioning an energy accumulation spring at the end of the closing of the door. The energy accumulated by the spring is inertially restored at the time of the electrical unlocking of a trigger retaining said spring. The lock further comprises, at the end of the opening command, a means for preserving the open state, avoiding the maintenance of the electrical supply of the unlocking means.

It also overcomes the various aforementioned drawbacks and allows for long-lasting autonomous locks, control and management of programmable access insensitive to variations in external conditions, using a manual effort to unlock the bolt.

 The lock according to the invention can be used both in areas not equipped with traditional electrical supply and in places with the electrical sector, by authorized persons with or without communication with a central computer unit.

It can be used for the opening and closing of all types of access doors to: public places or not, car parks, halls of buildings, parks, performance halls, administrations, offices, banks, dangerous zones (nuclear, chemistry), sensitive areas (military), laboratories, research centers, motorway barriers etc.

 According to a first embodiment, the lock according to the invention is mounted in an electromechanical box arranged inside the room to be protected, an external plate, acting as a cleanliness plate contains the chip key reader or the like and possibly a means of blocking a mechanical emergency key.

 According to a second embodiment, a conventional mortise lock, already in place, is transformed into an electronic lock, by fixing the electromechanical box fitted with the systems of said lock to the door: an opening means located inside the room to be closed, always active for fire safety reasons, a means of inertial accumulation of mechanical or electrical energy, a means of locking the mechanical energy accumulator, an electromechanical unlocking means releasing the accumulated energy, a means of inertial unlocking of the bolt acting as mechanical memory.

 According to a third embodiment, which retains all the specifics of the second, the lock comprises: - a trigger constituted by a lever bearing on a stop in the locked position, provided with a locking notch; - an electromagnet acting brutally to unlock the trigger after a dead stroke; - a hammer comprising a notch locked by the trigger; - a return spring (torsion, traction or compression) cooperating with the hammer and acting as an energy accumulator to move the hammer; - a lock lever on which the unlocking hammer acts and acting as a mechanical opening memory, comprising another notch; - A hook lever cooperating with the notch of the lock lever and comprising a second notch; - a bolt articulated on the axis of the interior handle; - an exterior handle lock plate, articulated on the axis of the exterior handle; - a force transmission bar, for the accumulation of mechanical energy by means of the hammer return spring, disposed between the hammer and the latch plate.

 According to a fourth embodiment, the lock cooperating with a conventional mortise lock further comprises: - a lever extending by a stop locking a lock plate secured to the external handle; - A lever secured to the interior handle, comprising a ramp for releasing the lock blocking the interior handle, and a thrust finger actuating the plate secured to the bolt; - an electronic identifier cooperating with an electronic reading unit; the other elements of the additional lock are placed inside a cover fixed on the inside of the door.

 According to a 5th embodiment, a lever that can be retracted from the inside by a two-position operating button is added to said lock, "normal" and "locked", preventing the locking of the external handle to allow access at will. free.

 According to a 6th embodiment, a system for blocking the emergency mechanical key is added to said lock to prevent unauthorized use. It comprises a notched disc cooperating with a non-return pawl and a notch passage detector triggering an alarm from the start of the rotation of said key and keeping it captive.

 According to a 7th embodiment, the energy storage means is completed by at least one inertial system intended to release the energy accumulated in the form of an impact caused by the unlocking hammer.

 According to an 8th embodiment, the means for accumulating energy by at least one spring and the inertial impact means are combined.

 According to a 9th embodiment, the massive doors comprise: - means for recovering kinetic energy with elastic deformation and inertial release, - means for tensioning the means for recovering kinetic energy, - means for blocking the strike, - an electromechanical means of inertial release of the accumulated energy, lifting the trigger and unlocking the strike.

 According to a 10th embodiment, the energy for unlocking the trigger is recovered in electrical form in an accumulator cooperating with an electronic regulator.

The autonomous lock according to the invention has the following various advantages: - very large force for extracting the bolt obtained from a very low internal autonomous electrical energy source; the locking force of the bolt is such that the internal parasitic forces cannot hinder its proper functioning; - very reduced electrical consumption of the electromechanical unlocking means for a very significant extraction effort, which gives autonomy of a duration much greater than that of known electromechanical locks; - pulse operation; - high reliability due to the ease of extraction of the bolt, even in a humid and very cold environment; - mechanism fixed on the interior side to the room, which prevents opening by vandalism and makes it possible to transform it into a multi-point lock; - mechanical control for locking the bolt out; - automatic security device unlocking the bolt in the event of the door being closed - use of a trade identifier with variable capacity according to needs, associated with its reader with or without presence security; - reliable operation between -20 "and + 60"C; - transformation into a normal lock by turning a button with two positions, "normal" or "electronic";
The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings given by way of nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, in which we have shown: FIG. 1 and 2, a schematic elevation view and in section, of an example of a lock according to the invention in the open position; - Fig.3, a schematic elevational view of Fig. I of the lock in the closed position; - Fig.4, a schematic elevational view of Figs. 1 and 3, in which the handle is locked in the locked position; - fig.5, a schematic elevational view identical to fig. 4 in normal position; - fig.6, a schematic cross-sectional view of fig. I to 5 showing the adaptation of the lock on a door already fitted with a conventional larding lock; - Fig.7, a schematic elevational view of an example of a lock according to the invention equipped with means for recovering and accumulating energy in electrical form, - Fig.8, a schematic elevational view of unlocking energy recovery means for solid doors.

Figures 1, 2 schematically show, in elevation and in section, a first non-limiting example of a lock according to the invention in the open position. Figure 3 shows it in the closed position. It includes: - a cover 1 fixed on a plate P; - A trigger 3 constituted by a lever articulated on an axis 4 normally resting on a stop 5 in the locked position; it is provided with a locking notch 6; - an electromagnet 2 acting brutally to unlock the trigger after a dead stroke C, by means of a screw V blocked on the core of the electromagnet; - A hammer 8, articulated on an axis 9, comprising a notch 10 retained, in the locked position, by the notch 6 of the trigger; - a return spring (torsion, traction or compression) cooperating with the hammer and acting as an energy accumulator to move the hammer 8; - A lock lever 14, articulated on an axis 15, comprising a notch 16 on which the active part 17 of the hammer 8 acts and acting as mechanical opening memory, it comprises another notch 18; - A hook lever 19, articulated on an axis 20, comprising a hook 21 cooperating with the notch 18 of the lever 14 and a second notch 22; - A bolt 24 hinged on the axis 26 of the inner handle 27; - A latch plate 28 of external handle 29, articulated on an axis 30 of the external handle 29, rotating in a hub 31 secured to the cover 1; - A force transmission bar 33, for the accumulation of mechanical energy by means of the hammer return spring 8, articulated at 34 on the plate 28 and acting on a finger 35 secured to the hammer 8, by the intermediary a race compensation light 36 for tensioning the return spring at the time of the operation of the handle to reverse the bolt and open the door; - An inner handle 27 secured to the axis 26 and the bolt 24; - an outer handle 29 freely rotating in the hub 31.

 this first embodiment of the lock according to the invention operates in the following manner: when the electronic unit has identified the requester and authorized access, the electromagnet 2 is actuated. The trigger 3 lifts under the effect of the shock caused at the end of the electromagnet's dead travel, and releases the hammer 8; the latter, under the effect of its return spring, picks up speed and strikes the lever 14 which moves away as well as the hook 19. which unlocks the plate 28 secured to the bolt and de.la external handle which becomes active and allows opening.

The unlocking energy is recovered during the rotation of the handle by means of the arm 33. The latter raises the hammer 8 which hooks onto the trigger 3 at the end of the stroke. In this configuration, the lock remains unlocked after opening. To re-lock it, simply turn the handle back. The plate 28, turning upside down, lifts the arm 33 which arms the hammer 8.

 Figures 4, 5 and 6 show schematically, in the locked position (fig. 4 external handle 29 blocked, which prohibits the opening of the door), and in the open position (fig. 5) a first simplified embodiment of the lock of Figures 1, 2 and 3.The levers 14 and 19 (fig. 1) are replaced by a single lever 40 articulated at 15 and having the same notch 16 as that of the lever 14. It extends at 41 to form its end a stop 42. This stop is locked on a notch 43 of the lock plate 45 similar to the plate 28 (fig. 1 and 2), secured to the outer handle, which has the effect of blocking it. A lever 46, retractable from the inside by an operating button not shown, keeps the extension 41 outside the notch 43 to allow free access from the outside. The extension 41 has a chamfer reducing the unlocking stroke . A lever 48, articulated on the axis 25 and integral with the interior handle, comprises a ramp 44 to release the lock 41 blocking the interior handle by the notch 43. On the other side of the axis it has an extension provided with a pushing finger 49. In a first part of the stroke of the interior handle, the ramp 44 releases the end of the lock 41 which locked the opening, in a second part of the rotation of the handle, the finger 49 comes push the plate 45 secured to the bolt which returns and releases the door.

 FIG. 6 schematically shows the longitudinal section according to FIGS. 4 and 5.

It shows the arrangement, on a door 50, of a chip key or memory card reader or other electronic identifier 51, and of the electronic unit 52, the levers 45 and 48, of the finger 49 integral with the squares 53 and 54 with their interior handle 27 and exterior handle 29, a battery 55, a barrel B of mechanical security lock and a mechanical key for mechanical unlocking of the bolt in the event of failure of the electronic unit, with the possibility of single use. a system retaining the captive key in the event of opening with an emergency key or a copy of the emergency key when the electronics are active, which corresponds to an attempted break-in. This system comprises a notched disc 56 cooperating with a non-return pawl, not shown, allowing the rotation of the barrel finger in the opening direction, but preventing its return and therefore its extraction from the barrel, and a passage detector 57 notches triggering an alarm at the start of the key rotation. We have also shown, already in place, a conventional mortise lock 58 and its bolt 59.

The electronic identifier 50 as well as the alarm disc 56 and the sensor 57 are integral with a front plate 61 fixed to the outside of the door. The other elements of the lock are placed inside the cover 62 fixed on the inside of the door, which makes this lock anti-vandalism since nothing is accessible from the outside.

 FIG. 7 shows a schematic example of a lock according to the invention comprising a means for recovering and accumulating electrical energy, a simplified plate 28, integral with the external handle. This plate is blocked, in the locked position of the lock, by a stop 63 fixed on a sliding rod 64 pulled, when unlocked, by the electromagnet 2, releasing the rotation of the plate 28 of the outer handle. A cam 65 makes it possible to raise the unlocking assembly from the inside without acting on the electronic unit, by turning an interior button (not shown) fixed on the axis 66. The bolt 67 has a toothed sector 68 meshing on a pinion with freewheel 69 driving in rotation an electric generator 70 charging an electric accumulator 71 cooperating with an electronic regulator 72. At each rotation of the interior handle, to exit the room, the generator 71 is activated which charges the accumulator 72.

 FIG. 8 shows an example of energy recovery on heavy doors by means of a leaf spring 75. The inertia of these doors must be able to tension the energy storage spring 75. Of course, the The example presented is not limitative of the invention.

Various types and forms of spring or arrangement of the bolt can be used without departing from the invention. The door is provided with a keeper 76 comprising a locking notch 77 into which the end 78 of a bolt is inserted. tilting 79, articulated on an axis 80. The bolt 79 has a square extension 81. The spring leaf 75 carries an inertial mass reported 82 and is held taut at its end by a lever 83 similar to the trigger of the other versions. Electro-mechanical means, such as for example an electromagnet or a small gear motor, raises the trigger 83 when the door is opened. The mass 82 carried by the blade 75, strikes the bolt at 81. it rocks while being released from the notch 87, releasing the keeper 76 and allowing the opening of the door. A cam 85, articulated at 86, normally arranged in the position shown in dotted lines, in the unlocked position of the door, rotates under the action of the ramp 87 of the keeper 76 by tensioning the spring which returns in abutment on the notch the trigger.

Claims (11)

CLAIMS: 1 - Autonomous electromechanical lock for a programmable access control and management system intended for locking sliding doors, hinged doors, barriers or gates called means of access, comprising an electromechanical lock and its electrical control box with card or chip key or other identifier, a security lock barrel for mechanical unlocking of the bolt in the event of failure of the electronic unit, characterized in that it comprises: - a means of accumulating mechanical energy, - a means of locking the mechanical energy accumulator - an electromechanical unlocking means suddenly releasing the accumulated energy, - an inertial unlocking means of the bolt acting as mechanical memory. 2 - Lock according to claim 1, comprising a traditional mechanical larding lock (58) with a barrel (B), a bolt (59) and its operating square (53); characterized in that it further comprises: - a trigger (3) constituted by a lever bearing on a stop (5) in the locking position, provided with a locking notch (6); - an electromagnet (2) acting brutally to unlock the trigger after a dead stroke (C); - a hammer (8), comprising a notch (10) locked by the notch (6) of the trigger; - a return spring (torsion, traction or compression) cooperating with the hammer and acting as an energy accumulator to move the hammer (8); - a lock lever (14) on which the unlocking hammer (8) acts and acting as a mechanical opening memory, comprising another notch (18); - A hook lever (19), comprising a hook (21) cooperating with the notch (18) of the lever (14) and a second notch (22); - a bolt (24) articulated on the axis (26) of the interior handle (27); - a lock plate (28) of external handle (27), articulated on an axis (30) of the external handle (29); - a force transmission bar (33), for the accumulation of mechanical energy by means of the hammer return spring (8) articulated on the plate (28); - An inner handle (27) integral with the axis (26) and the bolt (24); - an outer handle (29) rotating freely in the hub (31). 3 - Lock according to claim 1, making electronic a conventional mortise lock, characterized in that it further comprises: - a lever (40) extending into (41) by a stop (42) locking, on a notch ( 43), a lock plate (45) secured to the outer handle; - A lever (48) integral with the interior handle, comprising a ramp (44) for releasing the lock (41) blocking the interior handle, and a thrust finger (49) actuating the plate (45) integral with the bolt; - an electronic identifier (51) cooperating with an electronic unit (52); -a front plate (61) fixed on the outside of the door, comprising the electronic identifier (50), the other elements of the additional lock are placed inside a cover (62) fixed on the inside Door. 4 - Lock according to claims I and 3, characterized in that it comprises a lever (46) retractable from the inside by an operating button with two positions, "normal" and "locked", preventing locking of the plate (45). 5 - Lock according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises a mechanical key locking system comprising a notched disc (56) cooperating with a non-return pawl and a detector (57) passage of the notches, triggering an alarm from the start of the rotation of the key, in that it is disposed inside the front plate (61). 6 - Lock according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the means for accumulating mechanical unlocking energy is a return spring acting on the hammer (8). 7 - Lock according to one of claims 1, 2, 3 and 6, characterized in that the energy storage means is completed by at least one inertial system intended to release the energy accumulated in the form of caused impact by the hammer (8). 8 - Lock according to claims I and 3, characterized in that the means of energy accumulation by at least one spring and the inertial impact means are combined. 9 - Lock according to claims I and 3, characterized in that it is in the form of an electromechanical unit adaptable to an existing lock. 10 - Lock according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises, for massive doors at the time of their closure: - means (75) for recovering kinetic energy with elastic deformation and release  inertial,  - means (85, 86, 87) for tensioning the means (75) for recovering kinetic energy, - a means (78) for blocking the keeper (76), - an electromechanical means for inertial release of the accumulated energy, raising a  trigger (83) and unlocking the strike.  11 - Lock according to claim I, characterized in that the energy is recovered in the form  electric in an accumulator (71) cooperating with an electronic regulator (72).