GB2189860A

GB2189860A - Clutch mechanism

Info

Publication number: GB2189860A
Application number: GB08707749A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Victor H Yee; Thomas W Crosley; Ronald D Lichty
Original assignee: Schlage Lock Co LLC
Current assignee: Schlage Lock Co LLC
Priority date: 1986-04-08
Filing date: 1987-04-01
Publication date: 1987-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 2007-04-01
Also published as: SE8701410L; SE8701410D0; FR2600369A1; DE3711745A1; KR870010270A; CA1293208C; FR2600369B1; GB8707749D0; GB2189860B; JPS62242073A

Description

GB2189860A 1 SPECIFICATION towards the other clutch element, whereby the

first and second jaw elements are prevented Clutch mechanism from effecting engagement and rotation of the one clutch element in response to rotation of The advent of microprocessor logic and its 70 the other clutch element; the improvement ability to operate with very low power requircomprising: a latching means in the means for ments has spawned a large number of appli- selectively preventing movement of the one cations to remote operations wherein it is im- clutch element; timing means for release of pracitcal to supply other than battery power. the latching means; and motion sensing means In such operations, it is essential to conserve 75 for alternatively releasing the latching means.

power draw and thereby extend the life of the One embodiment of the invention will now decision capability of the microprocessor. be described by way of example with refer One such application has been found in the ence to the accompanying drawings, in which:

reprogrammable combination electronic lock. Figure 1 is an exploded view of a clutch The use of a battery powered microprocessor 80 mechanism according to the present invention, eliminates the need for hard wiring doors and as applied to a lock; further allows such locks to be utilized in re- Figure 2 is a side elevational view in full line mote locations where power is not readily illustration of the inner clutch plate, cam fol available. A problem in the past has been the lower, follower block, bias springs, and bias amount of power required to engage the lock- 85 arms, the latter shown in engagement with ing mechanism once the microprocessor has the inner clutch plate, and in dashed outline decided that it is appropriate to do so. the cam follower and follower block are U.S. Patent No. 4,526,256 discloses a shown in a cammed or displaced disposition; clutch mechanism of which this invention may Figure 3 is an elevational view taken from be considered an improvement thereof. 90 the left hand side of Fig. 2 in which, however, The present invention comprises a clutch the inner clutch plate is shown only in phan- mechanism which requires extremely low cur- tom; and rent draw by utilizing, in part, mechanically ap- Figure 4 shows an electronic schematic plied power to assist in engagement of the showing the interrelationship between the clutch mechanism and a novel combination of 95 timed latch function and the motion sensing timed function motion sensor and latching so- function of the present invention.

lenoid set and released interference shutter. Fig. 1 through 4 show a clutch mechanism The object of the invention is to provide a according to the present invention embodied clutch mechanism which requires minimal cur- in a door lock mechanism. The door lock rent drain for operation once a decisional 100 mechanism is intended for use with a micro command to operate the clutch is received. processor or other logic sequence, or deci A further object of the invention is to pro- sional mechanism which would activate a vide a simple, reliable and economical clutch latching solenoid such as solenoid 15 as de- mechanism. It is a further object of the inven- picted in Fig. 1.

tion to provide a clutch mechanism which may 105 It is intended that the power requirements be utilized in combination with a microprocesnecessary to operate solenoid 15 be minimal.

sor logic circuit in many applications. It is also intended that the clutch mechanism, Yet a further object it is to provide a clutch which engages the outer handle with the spin mechanism for use with a combination electric dle, derive its energy of operation primarily lock which may be battery powered. 110 from rotation of the outer handle. Further, it is These and other objects are obtained in a intended that engagement of the clutch clutch mechanism, for an electronic lock or mechanism will enable rotation of the lock ac the like, comprising: a first rotary clutch ele- tuating spindle by the outer handle, The lock ment, mounted for free rotation about, and may be of any convenient or conventional relative to, a spindle, having a first jaw eleconfiguration which utilizes a manually ener ment; a second clutch element, mounted for gized spindle to operate the latching mecha translation along, and rotation in common nism.

with, the spindle, having a second jaw ele- Referring now to Fig. 1, the clutch mecha ment engageable with the first jaw element for nism according to this invention is comprised effecting rotation of one of the clutch ele- 120 of an outer clutch plate 1, which is mounted ments in response to the rotation of the other for rotation about a cylindrical portion of an of the clutch elements; means interposed be- outside spindle 7. In mounting, the outer tween the clutch elements normally restraining clutch plate 1 will not be free to translate the clutch elements in spaced-apart disposi- axially along the outer spindle 7.

tion; means for resiliently urging one of the 125 An outer lever handle 5 is shown attached clutch elements to move towards the other of to the outer clutch plate 1 for rotation there the clutch elements, in response to rotation of with by means not shown. It should be under one of the clutch elements to cause said jaw stood that outer handle 5 may be manufac elements to engage; means for selectively pre- tured as part of the outer clutch plate 1 or venting movement of the one clutch element 130 attached thereto by any convenient means.

2 GB2189860A 2 The outer clutch plate is provided with a set prised of basically five parts-a cam follower of opposed outer jaws 3 and an operating 20, a follower block 23, biasing springs 24, cam 21 disposed on the outside periphery of bias arms 25, and spool 26. The aforesaid the outer clutch plate 1. parts, in their cooperative assembled relation A coacting inner clutch plate 2 is mounted 70 ships, are shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

on an inside spindle 8 of square cross sec- Spool 26 is attached to inner clutch plate 2 tion. The inner clutch plate 2 rotates with the and is free to translate axially along spindle 8.

spindle 8 and is free to translate axially along Cam follower 20 is provided with a cam shaft the spindle from an inner position to an outer 22 which extends into a bearing hole through position wherein a coacting female jaw mem- 75 cam follower 20. The cam follower 20 may ber 4 engages the outer jaw member 3. It be retained by any suitable means, such as a should be appreciated by one skilled in the art snap ring, on the cam shaft 22.

that rotation of the outer handle and outer It should be understood that the cam shaft clutch plate will not rotate the outer spindle, 22 is free to rotate in its bearing for the pre- and the inner spindle will not rotate until the 80 ferred embodiment; however, it is not neces inner clutch plate is moved towards the out- sary to have the cam follower rotate except side and the coacting jaws of the clutch en- as a means of reducing friction to provide gage. Once engaged, the inner spindle 8 may ease of operation.

be rotated by the outer handle 5. Cam follower 20 is disposed in cam 21 and A coil spring 10 is disposed about the outer 85 provides an index means for handle 5 as well spindle 7 and centered partially in a recess 30 as a device to rotate follower block 23 when formed in the face of the outer clutch plate 1. cam follower 20 is forced out of cam 21 and The purpose of coil spring 10 is to yieldingly rides on the peripheral diameter of outer urge the inner clutch plate 2 out of engage- clutch plate 1. Follower block 23 is provided ment with the outer clutch plate 1. A mount- 90 with a pair of bias springs 24. Only the right ing plate 9 forms a positioning base for the hand spring is visible in Fig. 1. A correspond lock mechanism. ing spring is disposed on the left hand side of Fig. 1 is an exploded view of the mecha- the follower block 23.

nism according to the present invention, and it Bias arms 25 are mounted for rotation should be appreciated that on assembly, the 95 about the follower block 23 on a common face 31 of the outer clutch plate 1 would be mounting pin 27. With the bias springs 24 in close proximity or contact with the outer interposed between the following block 23 face of the mounting plate 9, with the outer and the bias arms 25, it should be obvious to clutch jaws concentric with and extending par one skilled in the art that movement of the tially into the hole 32 of the mounting plate. 100 cam follower and hence the follower block will The peripheral diameter of the inner clutch result in an urging force developed by bias plate 2 is slightly smaller than the diameter of springs 24 to rotate the bias arms in a the hole 32 so as to allow it to enter the hole clockwise direction as viewed from the left of to permit engagement of the jaws. Fig. 1.

A shutter 11 is shown mounted on mount- 105 The follower block 23 and bias arms 25 are ing plate 9 by means of a shutter pin 12. The mounted to the mounting plate 9 in a U mounting allows the shutter 11 to rotate shaped saddle 28 by means of the mounting about pin 12. A stop pin 16 fixed in and pin 27 as shown. It should be appreciated projecting outwardly from the mounting plate now that rotation of the handle 5 results in 9, intrudes into a rectangular orifice 33 110 the clockwise rotation of the bias arms which, formed in the shutter 11 to limit rotation of in turn, coact in the spool 26 to urge the the shutter 11. As shown in Fig. 1, the shut- inner clutch plate towards the outer clutch ter is in its release or uppermost position plate.

which allows the inner clutch plate to contact It should also be appreciated that when the the outer clutch plate. It should further be ap115 shutter 11 is in its interfering position, relative preciated by one skilled in the art that the movement between the follower block 23 and shutter may be rotated counterclockwise as the bias arms 25 is absorbed by the bias shown in Fig. 1, in which position it will par- springs 24. This permits rotation of the out tially block hole 32 and interfere with the in- side handle 5 without rotation of the spindle 8 ner clutch plate passing into hole 32. 120 and operation of the lock.

The position of the shutter 11 is controlled When solenoid 15 is activated, by some by solenoid 15. The position shown in Fig. 1 activating means, shutter 11 will be rotated to is the activated or release position. A solenoid a position where its length obstructs the inner spring 17 urges the shutter 11 counter- clutch plate and the bias arms will urge the clockwise to the interference or lock position 125 inner clutch plate into engagement with the when the solenoid 15 is not activated. The outer clutch plate when the handle is rotated.

solenoid plunger is connected to the shutter As a consequence, the inper and outer jaw 11 by means of a solenoid pin 14. members 4 and 3 will come into mutual en The mechanism which urges the inner clutch gagement. Accordingly, further rotation of the plate towards the outer clutch plate is corn- 130handle 5 will cause rotation of the spindle 8.

3 GB2189860A 3 Where the spindle 8 serves as an operating the art that the amount of time required to element in a lock, its rotation can be used to have the solenoid 15' energized has been re effect operation of the lock or its mechanism. duced from say 8 seconds to perhaps one An inner handle 6 directly engages spindle 8 second orless.

and may be utilized to rotate the spindle di- 70 The presence of rhotion detector 40 can rectly at any time without engagement of the serve a second useful purpose in that if the clutch plates. lock handle is rotated without proper -keying To this point, except for the use of a latch- of the lock function, an alarm 60 may be ing solenoid 15, the function of the clutch sounded for a timed period, thus warning oc- mechanism is as described in U.S. Patent 75 cupants of an attempted entry.

4,526,256 assigned to Schlage Lock Com- It should be obvious to one skilled in the- art pany. The present invention dramatically re- that numerous modificiations of the clutch duces the power demand by reducing the time mechanism as described, and numerous other required to energize the solenoid. In addition applications for a clutch mechanism deriving a to reduced power demand, lock security is 80 portion of its operating power from an input improved by providing a motion sensing drive on selected command, will become ap means in combination with the latching sole- parent. 1 therefore do not want to be limited noid and a timing means. The combination in the scope of my invention except as can be utilized to sense lock function and claimed.

warn of tampering. 85

Claims

Referring now to Fig. 1, an electronic mo- CLAIMS tion sensing device such

as optical scanner 40 1. A low power drain clutch apparatus for is shown conveniently mounted on mounting an electronic lock or the like having:

plate 9 by means of rivets 44. A target 42 or a solenoid engaged clutch mechanism acti identity code is shown attached to the outer 90 vated by a logic device; clutch plate 1. On assembly and operation the a motion detection means in proximity of optical scanner---reads-or senses the passing said clutch mechanism for sensing function of of the target 42 in a well known manner a portion of said clutch mechanism; and through a square slot 43 cut in the mounting wherein said solenoid is a latching solenoid plate 1 for that purpose. 95 to enable engagement of said clutch mecha Fig. 4 is a schematic of the interrelated nism and said solenoid is unlatched to disable function of the elements of the present invenengagement of said clutch mechanism in re tion. In the prior art, the clutch mechanism sponse to said motion detector sensing com was activated in reponse to a command by pletion of function.

the lock logic 50 to open. Solenoid 15 was 100
2. A clutch apparatus according to claim 1 energized for a convenient period of time, for in which:

example 8 seconds, as determined by timer said apparatus further comprises a timing 55. If the operator was not quick enough, he means to unlatch said solenoid so as to disa or she would be timed out and would again ble engagement of said clutch mechanism in need to---re-key- the lock for a second func- 105 response to a determined time lapse.

tion cycle. During the 8 second cycle, the so-
3. A clutch mechanism, for an electronic lenoid was fully energized and drawing on the lock or the like, comprising:

battery. a first rotary clutch element mounted for In the present invention, the DC solenoid free rotation about, and relative to, a spindle 15' is pulsed or energized for a short time 110 having a first jaw element; only sufficient to retract the plunger and mag- a second clutch element mounted for tran netically latch it in the open position. To acslation along, and rotation in common with, complish this, positive voltage is applied to, said spindle having a second jaw element en for example, terminal A of the solenoid 15'. gageable with said first jaw element for effect At this point, timer 55 and motion sensor or 115 ing rotation of one of said clutch elements in detector 40 is activated and one of two op- response to the rotation of the other of said tions takes place. If the lock handle is not clutch elements; rotated to rotate the outer clutch plate 1, the means interposed between said clutch ele timer will reset the lock after a relatively lon- ments normally restraining said clutch ele ger period of time, say 15 seconds, by appli- 120 ments in spaced-apart disposition; cation of positive voltage to terminal B for a means for resiliently urging,.one of said period of time sufficient to unlatch the sole- clutch elements to move towards the other of noid. The motion detector may also be deen- said clutch elements in response to rotation of ergized. In the second alternative, the lock one of said clutch elements to cause said jaw handle will be rotated to open the lock and 125 elements to engage; and the motion detector 40 will sense sufficient means for selectively preventing movement rotation to open the lock and thereafter the of said one clutch element towards said other lock is reset again by a short application of clutch elements whereby said first and second positive voltage to terminal B. jaw elements are prevented from effecting en- It will now be appreciated by one skilled in 130 gagement and rotation of said one clutch ele-
4 GB2189860A 4 ment in response to rotation of said other clutch element; latching means in said means for selectively preventing movement of said one clutch ele- ment; timing means for release of said latching means; and motion sensing means for alternatively releasing said latching means in response to se- lected lock function 4. A clutch mechanism according to claim 3 in which:

said latching means is a latching solenoid which is depowered after function to permit continued function of the lock without power draw.
5. A clutch mechanism according to claim 3 or 4 in which:

said timing means applies power to unlatch said latching means after a predetermined time.
6. A clutch mechanism according to claim 3, 4 or 5 in which:

said motion sensing means applies power to unlatch said latching means upon sensing a selected motion associated with operation and opening of the lock.
7. A clutch mechanism according to claim 3, 4, 5 or 6 in which:

said motion sensing means further senses unauthorised attempt to make the lock function by sensing motion of said first rotary clutch element and sounding an alarm.
8. A clutch mechanism according to any one of claims 3 to 7 in which:

said motion sensing means is an optical scanner.
9. A low power drain clutch apparatus for an electronic lock or the like substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
10. A clutch mechanism for an electronic lock or the like substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by Burgess & Son (Abingdon) Ltd, Dd 8991685, 1987. Published at The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A l AY, from which copies may be obtained.