FR2772817A1 - Electric release of rotating shaft fitted in lock - Google Patents

Abstract

The electric lock release operates on the rod attached to the door handle (10), with a mechanism (46,50) to lock or release the rotation of the rod. When an authorisation signal is received from the associated card reader, a current actuated solenoid (32) displaces the mechanism to allow rotation of the rod so the door can be opened when the handle is turned.

Description

ELECTRICAL DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE UNLOCKING OF A
ROTATING SHAFT, ESPECIALLY A LOCK AND LOCK EQUIPPED
OF THIS DEVICE
The present invention relates to an electrical device for controlling the unlocking of a rotating shaft of a lock as well as the lock equipped with this device. The invention applies to locks mounted in a door handle or in a closing loop of a container with controlled access.

 In the building industry, the problem of access control is more and more frequent, as in computer rooms, clean rooms, or even factory control stations.

 When an area is authorized for a certain category of people, it must be possible to allow controlled access to these people and to consider a possible free exit. In addition, the keys are increasingly prohibited because they do not offer the security of non-reproduction and these mechanical systems, especially when they are simple and compact, can be violated quite easily.

 Changes to the corresponding organizational charts are financially burdensome and time consuming. In addition, traceability is nonexistent.

 Also, security managers are led to use systems of the magnetic card or smart card type with stored algorithms, with or without personal codes.

 These electronic means also have drawbacks because either they are centralized in information and in energy which makes them very expensive, or they are autonomous but they are then very limited in terms of costly operating time to set up. In particular, they are difficult to adapt in place of mechanical systems.

 It is therefore necessary to develop reliable closure assemblies capable of operating with these assemblies and the invention proposes handles whose crutch is capable of being maneuvered when access is authorized and of being immobilized when access is prohibited.

 Electric strikes are known in particular that described in European patent EP-A-279 878 which describes a door strike which comprises coils which act on an external armature and an internal armature with an inverting operating member so as to ensure locking or releasing a lock latch. It is noted that in this anteriority, the blocking relates directly to the latch and no rearming is described.

 GB-B-2 230 550 describes a keeper with means for blocking the operation of a door handle comprising a pivoting lever and a blocking finger of said lever. This finger is operated by a plate designed to cooperate with an electromagnet.

 A slope is made on the lever and the finger is equipped with a roller which rolls on the slope.

 Also, even when a significant thrust is exerted on the door, and the electromagnet is no longer supplied, for example on command of a security member, the door can still open.

 It is essentially a blocking system with anti-panic safety opening.

 The device according to the present invention is quite different. It comprises electromagnetic means which ensures the unlocking of a rotating shaft.

This device is simple and therefore reliable, it requires a very small amount of current for each operation so that the operating life of the device is increased for the same energy reserve which is necessarily a battery when the device is autonomous. In addition, the overall size of the handle or of the loop which uses this device is reduced, which facilitates its integration into a plate of small width because this parameter is particularly restrictive, and of acceptable thickness while allowing respect standard fixing centers. This advantage is particularly appreciable when it comes to replacing existing handles.

 There are other applications than the locks mounted in a door handle, this is how many containers such as boxes, flaps or drawers could be equipped with such access control devices. There is even a need for certain large-volume strap files, such as court files or plan files, which we would like to know when they were consulted and by whom.

 To this end, the invention relates to an electrical device for controlling the unlocking in rotation of a rotating shaft of a lock, in particular integral with at least one door handle, said lock or said handle being equipped with means for detecting identification signs, in particular of a magnetic or chip card reader, said means being able to emit a trigger signal, a device which is characterized in that it comprises mechanical means for locking / unlocking the rotating shaft, means for emitting at least one electrical pulse following the reception of a trigger signal and electromagnetic unlocking means provided for receiving said pulse, these means being a suction cup with current emission.

 The suction cup more particularly comprises a permanent magnet and a circuit for generating a magnetic field canceling at least part of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet upon receipt of the electric pulse.

 According to another characteristic, the mechanical locking / unlocking means comprise a counterplate intended to cooperate with the suction cup between two positions, one stuck against the suction cup when it is in its magnetic field and the other spaced from the suction cup when it is out of the magnetic field, as well as a reset lever on the one hand secured to said counter-plate and on the other articulated in a casing, as well as a strut also movable relative to the casing between a first locking position and a second unlocking position of the rotating shaft.

 According to a particular embodiment, the rearming lever comprises a flat surface, coming from manufacturing, which constitutes the counterplate.

 According to a particular arrangement, the reset lever comprises a lug released from the strut when the counterplate is in the first position and in abutment against the strut when the counterplate is in the second position.

 According to another characteristic, the mechanical means comprise a follower with a finger and the reset lever comprises a cam adapted to receive the finger and ensure the lifting of the lever.

 This follower comprises at least one recess with a profile conjugate to that of the free end of the strut to cooperate in the locked position, providing a free maneuvering game of small amplitude.

 These mechanical means include elastic return means arranged between the strut and the reset lever.

 In order to allow easy reversibility, the device comprises a cassette supporting at least the mechanical locking / unlocking means and the suction cup with current emission of the electromagnetic unlocking means.

 The invention also covers the door handle fitted with the preceding device and which further comprises a second follower provided with a drive pin for the first follower, itself provided with a light for receiving said pin, this second follower being secured to the interior stand and comprising at least one slope intended to bring the strut from the first locked position to the second unlocked position.

 In this case, the lumen of the second follower is of such dimensions that the first follower is driven when the strut is released from the first follower.

The invention is now described according to a particular embodiment applied to a door handle or to a container lock, this embodiment being non-limiting, the description being carried out with reference to the appended drawings which represent
Figure 1, a front view of the entire device according to the invention
when the cleanliness plate is partially torn off, in the case
from a door on the left,
Figure 2, a front view identical to that of Figure 1, but in the
case of a door opening on the right1
FIGS. 3A to 3G, a block diagram of the operation of the device
show the different movements of the pieces during
different phases,
FIGS. 4A and 4B, a view, through the door, of a handle, when
the handles of the handle are separate, and
FIGS. 5A to 5C, a view of an alternative application with an axis
turning which results in a fixed rack.

 Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a door handle 10 with a housing 11 receiving a cassette 12 on which is reported a source of energy 14 with an electronic circuit 16 for recognition and control, electromagnetic means 18 for locking / unlocking as well as mechanical means 20 for locking and unlocking the rotary axis of a lock, the assembly being covered by a so-called cleanliness plate 22.

 It is noted that, in the two figures, the references are identical because there is a symmetry of the assemblies for door with opening on the right or on the left. It suffices to turn the cassette 1 2 before mounting in the housing.

 There is no dismantling of parts as will be understood on reading the detailed description which follows.

 The housing 1 1 is intended to be fixed to the door by two holes 24, with standard spacing.

 The source 14 of electrical energy is a battery 26. The electronic circuit 16 for recognition and control is connected by a cable 28 to other members (not shown) which are not of direct interest to the invention, namely a reader. card or chip or any other means of recognition and identification and a vibrator intended to emit a particular sound to confirm the good or bad maneuvers of the user.

 Another cable 30 provides electrical power to the electromagnetic means 1 8.

 The electromagnetic locking / unlocking means 1 8 comprise an electromagnetic suction cup 32 with current emission, designed to receive a metallic, magnetic counterplate 34, capable of being held in a first position glued against the suction cup 32 and of being released in a second position. This type of suction cup includes a high-power permanent magnet which ensures a constant magnetic force sufficient to keep the backplate, or any other metallic and magnetic flat element, glued as soon as it is in the area of attraction. If a current is circulated in an associated winding disposed in said suction cup, it is possible to generate an electromagnetic field whose intensity is calculated to cancel at least in part, the permanent magnetic force generated by the magnet, so that the counterplate is only subjected to the permanent magnetic force minus the electromagnetic force generated during the emission of a current pulse.

 The mechanical locking / unlocking means comprise the counter plate 34 which receives at its lower part a reset lever 36 which is articulated relative to the cassette by means of an axis 38, with limited angular movement. As a variant, it should be noted that the lever could be shaped so that it has a surface similar to that of the counterplate, thus enabling this counterplate to be eliminated.

 A seal 40, O-ring, makes it possible to make up for any defects in parallelism between the counter-plate and said lever and this is in particular the advantage of this counter-plate. The connection between the counterplate and the suction cup provides a certain angular movement, so that the force of the permanent magnet is exerted on the entire surface of the counterplate by self-orientation thereof.

 This lever of the mechanical locking / unlocking means 20 has a lug 42, the usefulness of which will be determined during the description of the operation.

 Similarly, the lever carries at its end, a reset cam 44 belonging to the reset means.

 These mechanical locking / unlocking means 20 are supplemented by a strut 46 which is articulated and which can take two positions, one for locking the operating square as will be explained later and an unlocked position in which the operating square is free.

 The articulation is reduced to its simplest expression since the heel of the strut is simply supported on the bottom of a housing 48 whose walls provide guidance.

 A return spring 49 is interposed between the reset lever and the strut.

 The mechanical locking / unlocking means 20 additionally comprise a follower 50, having substantially the shape of a disc, pivotally mounted about an axis 52. This follower is provided at its center with a hole 54 with a square section, provided to receive, in known manner a square axis of operation, called "square", itself driven by a stand, visible in broken lines in Figure 3A. This square allows the drive of the rotary shaft of the lock.

 This follower 50 is symmetrical and has a finger 56 oriented, in a stable position, along the vertical axis.

 On either side of this finger, also symmetrically, substantially at 900, a recess 58 is provided. Depending on the mounting opening to the right or to the left, the corresponding recess is able to cooperate with the free end of the strut 46, in the locked position as will be explained later.

 Indeed, only one of the recesses is necessary for a given assembly, the presence of the two recesses being justified only by the possibility of carrying out assemblies for door with opening to the right or to the left as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

 The operation of the device according to the invention is now described with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3G, the references of identical elements being given in the various figures.

 In FIG. 3A, the stand is shown in broken lines. This crutch is inclined at an angle which is exaggerated for the needs of representation but which remains on the order of a few degrees, 3 to 50 to give a representative value.

 This very low rotation is authorized by a clearance provided between the free end of the strut 46 and the corresponding recess 58 with which the follower 50 is provided. This game allows the user to feel that the operation is possible but that a locking system prohibits a larger angular operation allowing the door to be opened. This prevents the user from exerting excessive force, imagining that the stand is jammed by a malfunction. In addition, this safely allows repositioning of the strut in the hook of the follower.

 It can be seen that, in this phase, the strut ensures the locking of the mechanical means 20 and more particularly of the nut 50.

Note also that in this position, the counter plate is glued against the suction cup in the first return position, the permanent magnet ensuring its full attraction.

 The reset lever 40, integral with the counter plate 34, is also in its first position so that the spring 49 is tensioned, the restoring force exerted being maximum. The strut tends to be kept in the first unlocking position even when the crutch is actuated with impact or in the event of impact on the handle.

 When the user is authorized and provided with identification means recognized by the means for detecting and issuing an order, arranged outside the room including the door, fitted with the device according to the invention , prohibits entry, the movements described below occur.

 An electrical pulse is sent by electronic means 1 6 to the suction cup 32 to cancel at least part of the attraction force of the permanent magnet. This negative effort is added to that of the spring.

 The position of the various organs which results therefrom is shown in FIG. 3B.

 The spring 49 which exerts a continuous traction between the counter plate 34 and the strut 46, causes the said counter plate to come off from the suction cup. When the impulse has passed, the permanent magnet regains its full strength and emits its magnetic field in the normal way. On the other hand, the counterplate, detached from the suction cup, is at too large an air gap distance for the counterplate to be called back, especially since said counterplate is always subjected to the return force of the spring.

 It is noted that the lug 42 of the reset lever is distant from the strut in a stable position, so as to allow detachment of the counterplate and the angular movement of the lever even if the strut is blocked in the first position.

 Indeed, the system is unstable around the axis of rotation 38 of the reset lever.

Therefore, two situations are possible depending on whether the user exerts an action on the stand or not.
- If the user exerts a sufficiently large force on the stand, the movement of the strut is blocked and the follower, therefore the stand, cannot go any further. As soon as the user releases his pressure, the weight of the lever with the counterplate and the impulse imparted by the spring ensure that the assembly of the counterplate and of the reset lever swings around the articulation 38 and consecutively the movement of the strut in the second so-called unlocked position, via the lug 42 which comes to bear on the strut. This is the position shown in Figure 3C.

 - If the user exerts no effort, the strut is free to move from the first to the second position and to ensure instant unlocking.

 During the movement of rotation of the stand, the reset lever approaches the finger 56 of the follower 50 while the strut is separated, allowing the rotation of the follower. As soon as the follower has started a rotation greater than the angular play initially planned and comprised between 3 and 50, the strut is maintained in the second position with impossibility of blocking the rotation of the follower as shown in FIG. 3D.

 The rotation of the follower 50 and the finger 56 which it carries brings said finger into contact with the cam 44 of the reset lever, as shown in FIG. 3E. Therefore, the reset lever is raised, driving the counter plate 34 until it is in the magnetic field of the permanent magnet of the suction cup which then ensures the maintenance of this counter plate. Simultaneously, the return spring 49 is bandaged. The spring then exerts a significant return force on the strut which is always immobilized in the second position by the follower 50. The O-ring ensures the correction of the parallelism defects.

 It is noted that the rearming is obtained after a small angular stroke to be certain of obtaining rearming in all cases taking into account the different arrangements of locks and existing games, in particular those between the opening and the frame.

 In FIG. 3F, it can be seen that the cam is extended with a curvilinear profile corresponding to the movement of the end of the finger of the follower, this in order to avoid in all cases the passage of the finger behind the cam if the user, by an untimely maneuver, the crutch came to exceed the authorized angular rotation. During this movement, the keeper, not shown, of the door is actuated upon opening, this in known manner.

 As soon as the user interrupts the pressure exerted on the stand, the strike return means ensure a return to the stable position of the follower and the return to the initial position of the stand which is integral therewith, as shown in FIG. 3G.

 It is also noted that, as soon as the follower has returned to position, apart from the angular play, the strut, subjected to the action of spring 49 has returned to its initial position and its free end has returned to lodge in the corresponding recess.

 The next position is that of the initial figure 2, thus showing the complete cycle.

 Thus, the force stored by the spring is supplied by the user when he operates the stand, the suction cup only needing to unlock the mechanism by releasing the counterplate.

 The operation has been indicated in the case of a lock comprising a square which passes through the door and which connects the two crutches of the handle.

 In certain cases, for safety reasons, it is necessary that the opening from inside the room is authorized in all circumstances, without even exercising a control. Access to the room equipped with a door provided with the device according to the invention is therefore controlled, but the exit is free.

 The operation of the crutches of the two handles is separate. The square is then produced in two parts, one secured to the first follower as shown above and the other secured to a second follower 60, the two followers 50 and 60 being driven in rotation by a pin 62, as shown on the Figure 4A.

 The first follower 50, shown in broken lines, has for this purpose a curved, open lumen 64 which receives the pin 62. This lumen of the first follower is of a size such that it allows an angular displacement of the second follower by a few degrees before being trained by him, for example 100.

 The second follower also comprises two slopes 66, only one of which is used, the second, symmetrical being produced for the purposes of symmetry and reversibility.

 The slope 66 concerned is formed substantially with the same angular positioning as the recesses 58 of the first follower so as to be able to cooperate with the free end of the strut 46.

 On the other hand, this second follower is free of fingers.

 As can be seen in FIG. 4B, the rotation of the only second follower on the first range of the order of 100 as defined, causes the unlocking of the strut 46 thanks to the corresponding slope 66 to authorize the operation of the interior stand. When the pin of the second follower abuts in the lumen 64 of the first follower, there is then joint driving of the two followers and opening of the strike in a known manner.

 It is noted that, during this maneuver, the electromagnetic means are not stressed and the reset lever and the counterplate remain in the first position.

 This arrangement is particularly satisfactory since it allows a safety opening at any time from the inside without requiring electromagnetic means, therefore without consuming energy. This leads to lifetimes of the energy source of several years even under intensive use.

 We also note that the different organs are simple so that the assembly is reliable and the risks of dysfunction are very limited.

 It should also be noted that access to the room concerned is prohibited in the event of a lack of electrical energy supplied by the source, so that security against untimely intrusion is guaranteed while leaving the people inside the possibility to go out freely.

 In the various alternative embodiments, the mechanical means 20, the electromagnetic means 1 8 and the means for emitting an electrical pulse on the same side of the door have been presented, but the means for emitting an electrical pulse, for example, can be arranged from the side of the door opposite to that which supports the rest of the device.

This ease of arrangement makes it possible to distribute the dimensions if necessary.

 In Figures 5A to 5C, there is shown an arrangement of the same device applied for example to a lock of a container. The corresponding diagram shows how the device works in this arrangement.

 In FIG. 5A, there are certain identical elements described above and these elements are assigned the same references for simplification of the drawings, while the equivalent elements have the same references increased by 100 and the new elements bear references from 200 .

 The follower 150 is modified by the presence of a toothing 210 in the lower part intended to mesh with the teeth of a rack 21 2. This rack is guided in translation by any suitable means which is not part of the present invention and which is within the competence of a person skilled in the art depending on the application.

 In the standby position, as shown in Figure 1, the follower 1 50 is oriented with his finger 1 56 vertical.

 The rack 21 2 is in place and its teeth cooperate with those carried by the follower 150. The strut 146 ensures the rotation of the follower so that it is impossible to remove the rack 21 2.

 When the user is authorized and is provided with means of identification recognized by the means of detection and transmission of an order associated with the lock of the container, the movements described below occur.

 An electric pulse is sent by electronic means to the suction cup 132 to cancel at least part of the attraction force of the permanent magnet. This negative effort is added to that of spring 149.

 The position of the various organs which results therefrom is shown in FIG. 5B.

 The spring 149 which exerts a continuous traction between the counterplate 134 and the strut 146, causes the abutment of said counterplate of the suction cup. When the impulse has passed, the permanent magnet regains its full strength and emits its magnetic field in the normal way. On the other hand, the counterplate, detached from the suction cup, is at too large an air gap distance for the counterplate to be recalled, especially since said counterplate is always subjected to the spring return force.

 The user then causes the rack to be withdrawn by a simple pull in the direction of arrow 216, as shown in FIG. 5C.

 Alternatively, it is proposed to add a spring 214 which causes the rotation of the follower 150 in a clockwise direction, which ejects the rack.

 This rack can be made integral with a strap or any other link while the electrical unlocking control device according to the invention is integral with another strap or any other link. The two parts can be integral with a flap of a container on the one hand and the container itself on the other.

 There is therefore a multiplicity of applications of the arrangement which has just been described, which further reinforces the advantages stated in the preamble.

Claims (11)

 1. An electrical control device for unlocking the rotation of a rotating shaft of a lock, in particular integral with at least one door handle (10), said door being equipped with means for detecting signs of identification, in particular d '' a magnetic or chip card reader, said means being able to emit a trigger signal, characterized in that it comprises mechanical means (20) for locking / unlocking the rotating shaft, means (14, 16) for emitting at least one electrical pulse following the reception of a trigger signal and electromagnetic unlocking means (18) provided for receiving said pulse, these means being a suction cup (32) with current emission.  2. An electrical control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the suction cup (32) comprises a permanent magnet and a circuit for generating a magnetic field canceling at least part of the magnetic field of the permanent magnet upon receipt of the electrical impulse.  3. An electrical control device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mechanical locking / unlocking means (20) comprise a counter-plate (34) designed to cooperate with the suction cup between two positions, one stuck against the suction cup when it is in its magnetic field and the other spaced from the suction cup when it is out of the magnetic field, as well as a reset lever (36) on the one hand integral with said counterplate and on the other hand articulated in a casing (11), as well as a strut (46) also movable relative to the casing (11) between a first locking position and a second unlocking position of the rotating shaft.  4. An electrical control device according to claim 3, characterized in that the reset lever (36) comprises a flat surface, coming from manufacture, which constitutes the counter-plate.  5. An electrical control device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the reset lever (36) comprises a lug (42) disengaged from the strut (46) when the counterplate (34) is in the first position and pressing against the strut (46) when the counterplate (34) is in the second position.  6. An electrical control device according to claim 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that the mechanical means (20) comprise a follower (50) with a finger (56) and in that the reset lever (36) comprises a cam (44) adapted to receive the finger and ensure the lifting of the lever.  7. An electrical control device according to claim 6, characterized in that the follower (50) comprises at least one recess (58) with a profile conjugate with that of the free end of the strut (46) to cooperate in the locking position, providing free maneuvering play of low amplitude.  8. An electrical control device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the follower (50) comprises at least on part of its periphery a toothing (210) intended to cooperate with a rack and pinion (212) removable and movable in translation .  9. An electrical control device according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the mechanical means (20) comprise elastic return means (49) disposed between the strut (46) and the lever (36 ) reset.  10. An electrical control device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a cassette (12) supporting the mechanical means (20) for locking / unlocking and the suction cup (32) for current emission of the means. (18) electromagnetic release.  11. Door handle comprising an electrical control device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second follower (60) provided with a pin (62) for driving the first follower, itself even provided with a light (64) for receiving said pin, this second follower (60) being integral with the interior stand and comprising at least one slope (66) provided for bringing the strut from the first locked position to the second unlocked position.  1 2. Door handle according to claim 10, characterized in that the light (64) of the second follower is of dimensions such that the first follower (50) is driven when the strut (46) is released from the first follower ( 50).