WO2021221559A1

WO2021221559A1 - Locking detection device

Info

Publication number: WO2021221559A1
Application number: PCT/SE2021/050400
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Stenlund
Original assignee: Autida Ab
Priority date: 2020-04-30
Filing date: 2021-04-29
Publication date: 2021-11-04
Also published as: EP4143404A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for detection of status of a locking system, which locking system comprises a locking bolt movable between a resting position and a locking position, comprising a cavity designed to receive the locking bolt in a locking position, and at least one sensor capable of detecting the presence of said locking bolt.

Description

LOCKING DETECTION DEVICE

TECHNICAL AREA

The present application relates to a locking detection device for use in locking systems and in particular detecting the status of locking members used for locking doors and other openable closing members that are used to gain and prevent access to compartments and in particular doors for vehicle containers that contain valuable goods.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Different locking systems are used in many applications for preventing unauthorized access to compartments. Such compartments may for example be safes, cargo containers, semi-trailers, swap-bodies, truck and van compartments, just to mention a few. A conventional locking system for containers comprise vertical rods extending on an outside of a loading door. The vertical rods are arranged with horizontal locking bolts that fit into fixtures on the frame of the loading door. The locking system is operated by handles attached to the vertical rods, enabling a rotation of the vertical rods between a locking position to a resting position. In order to prevent unauthorized access to the container, pad locks are used for locking the handles, preventing rotation of the vertical rods and thereby opening of the doors.

With the ever-increasing cargo shipment around the globe, often containing different types of goods targeted by thieves and thus goods that are tempting to steal, different solutions regarding trailers and trailer doors have been developed. The most basic are solutions where the handling of the trailer door handles are made more difficult, for instance by covering the area of the pad lock or to mount a sturdy lockable bar that grips around the vertical rods of a door pair. These might reduce the risk of break-in, but they are bulky, heavy and generally not user-friendly.

More recently, for a limited kind of cargo compartments and only where full access to power supply is available, intelligent systems have been launched having ID- functions. One such system comprises a locking system that is attached to a door, in particular doors of containers and in particular lorry and semi-trailer compartments. The locking system comprises a handle on the outside of the door. The handle controls a locking bolt placed on the inside of the door and extending towards and into a recess or passage in the floor or bottom of the trailer container. The handling of the handle is only permitted if a correct code is entered on a keypad. This type of locking system works quite well in most situations.

However, there is no information regarding if, during a locking operation, the locking bolt has actually entered the recess or not. There is further no information whether the locking system has been operated or at which geographical position the locking system has been operated. Generally, there is also no information regarding unauthorised actions or attempts to gain access to the interior of the compartment.

In any event, it is very difficult for the owner of the goods in the container to actually know where and by whom the goods were accessed if there is an incident. There are no available traceability of the lock events and it makes it very hard or impossible to the owners, transportation companies, authorities and insurance companies to investigate the incident and to identify the responsible.

Some systems have been developed for preventing this kind of situation. Document US2019/001236 discloses a tamper-proof bolt seal provided with an enclosure containing electronics and a bolt shank or shaft. The bolt seal is intended to be mounted on a shipping container and cooperates with door latches of the container. The bolt shank is provided with sensor resistors that are randomized in order to provide unique identification codes. The sensors will detect any tampering of the tamper-proof bolt seal. Such detection may be transmitted by the electronics to cloud-based servers, alerting security staff of any tampering attempts. Also, the electronics is provided with communication elements that can communicate with mobile phones or tablets, enabling inspection of the tamper-proof bolt seal at check points.

The solution of US2019/001236 is completely directed to sealing shipping containers and to provide information on any tampering of the seal. The drawback with this solution is that it has not the locking function associated with earlier described locking systems, especially since the bolt shank is not movable. The bolt seal is bolted on the container with the bolt shank cooperating with the latch of the container, but the bolt seal is not cooperating with any components on the container in an intelligent way. It is in this regard not designed to detect if the locking system is activated or not, i.e. the door has been properly locked. Other documents that deal with detection of tampering with shipping containers are for example US 2004/0041705 and US 2018/0283048. However, none of these addresses the problem associated with the above mentioned locking systems and thus cannot provide any solutions in that regard.

A further problem associated with protection of cargo compartments such as shipping containers is the lack of power to activate and drive protection systems. The only alternative of locks in powerless cargo compartments as containers, trailers and swap bodies are as everybody knows pad locks and other mechanical locks since no power is accessible.

Any kind of sensor need to be powered and in environments where power is not available no sensors can be used. Batteries as a power source is not an option, due to the fact there are no solutions for charging or replacing the batteries from economic, practical or logistic perspective apart from environmental issues. The cost for replacing billions of batteries regardless of maintenance process, frequency or interval would not be realistic for anyone to carry.

Thus, there is a need for solutions for detecting the status of a locking system, and in particular locking systems used for transporting cargo.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The aim of the invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the state of the art technology in this technical field. This aim is obtained by a device comprising the features of the independent patent claim. Preferable embodiments of the invention form the subject of the dependent patent claims.

In the description of the invention, the wording cavity is used for defining a suitable space that can receive a locking bolt of a locking system. It is to be understood that cavity may comprise any recess, passage or opening that is designed and intended for the use of providing a locking action together with a suitable locking bolt. In this regard, the cavity may be formed by discrete components such as clamping halves that will engage with a locking bolt from two or more sides thereof. It is also feasible that these discrete components may be flexible and that the end of the locking bolt is provided with an enlargement. During movement of the locking bolt, the flexible components will allow passing of the enlargement and engage around the enlargement in a locking position. The end of the locking bolt may further be arranged with an element cooperating with an opening of a cavity such that the cavity is turned between a receiving position to an engaging and locking position around the element of the locking bolt.

Regarding a definition of locking bolt, it may include, latches, bars, pins and all types of members that are capable of movably engaging with fixed structures for providing a locking action, and combinations of these as well as locking systems having a plurality of cooperating locking bolts such as espagnolettes and other transmissions such as in safe doors operating several locking bolts at the same time, which locking bolts may engage with fixed structures in different directions and may be moved from a resting position to a locking position. The movement may be performed by different means such as handles, transmissions and combinations thereof as well as by manually moving the locking bolt.

According to a main aspect of the invention, it comprises a device for detection of status of a locking system, which locking system comprises a locking bolt movable between a resting position and a locking position, which may comprise a cavity designed to receive the locking bolt in a locking position, and at least one sensor arranged in the vicinity of the cavity, capable of detecting the presence of the locking bolt. With such a system, it is possible to obtain information regarding the status of the locking system, i.e. whether it has been properly locked or not.

According to one aspect, the at least one sensor may comprise a load cell positioned to detect a load from the locking bolt in the locking position. With a load cell, a very positive and robust detection of the presence of the locking bolt is obtained, providing information that the locking system is locked. Multiple independent sensors can be used for security reasons and to enable multiple detection capabilities to detect patterns in addition to threshold values. As an alternative or in addition to the load cell, the at least one sensor may comprise an optical sensor. In this regard, the optical sensor comprises a camera. The camera could then take pictures of the shape of the locking bolt and its position in relation to the position of the camera. Further, the optical sensor may comprise a sensor capable of detecting optical information arranged on the locking bolt. This may provide additional information in that the information on the locking bolt may be unique to the specific locking system. In that regard, the optical information may comprise any of barcode, QR-code, alpha-numerical signs, holograms, IR code. As an alternative or at least, one sensor comprises a sensor capable of detecting any of inductive, radio, NFC/RFID or micro-dot information arranged on the locking bolt.

The device may further comprise a controller arranged with elements for processing, storing and transmitting detected information. With the controller a number of measures may be taken. For instance, the controller may be arranged to compare detected information with pre-stored information. In this way, it is ensured that the right locking bolt has been inserted, such that the device cannot be tampered with by putting another rod or item in the cavity, trying to manipulate the locking system and to compromise the security. The controller may further be arranged with a real-time clock in order to keep track on time, reference time and to obtain information when information was detected, providing a time log of events, support maintenance and update tasks, enable comparisons, synchronizations and updates with other external, local and remote equipment, devices, systems and events.

Regarding this information, the controller may be operably connected to a communication system of a vehicle, for transmitting the information obtained by the system. The communication system may then alert a selected receiver, a vehicle system and thus the driver, for instance that the locking system is not properly locked. The information may also be transmitted from the communication system of the vehicle to a remote system or data centre. In addition, or as an alternative, the device may have its own communication system for transmitting information from the device but also information to the device, for instance for changing pre-set data. Regarding the controller, it might be an integrated micro-chip or the like provided with all functions and elements required for detection, communication, alarm etc. On the other hand, the controller may be made up of a number of components and modules, where each module has specific functions and elements.

In order to power the device, it may further comprise connections to an electrical system of a vehicle. As an alternative or in addition, it may further comprise a battery as power source as well as a charger for charging the battery. Also, a photovoltaic cell may be utilized.

According to one further important aspect of the invention, the device may further comprise an energy generating element, which may comprise an energy generator for driving the at least one sensor, and a transmission operably connected to the energy generator. The transmission is then capable of transmitting movement of the locking bolt to and from a locking position to the energy generator, which movement activates the energy generator. With the energy generator activated by the locking bolt, there is a minimized/eliminated need for wire installations, batteries or external energy sources because the sensor or sensors are driven by the local energy generator.

According to one solution, the transmission may comprise at least one driver arranged displaceable by the movement of the locking bolt. Thus, the movement of the locking bolt in turn generates movement that is used in the energy generating element. In that regard, the energy generator may be rotatable, wherein the transmission further may comprise an axle operably connected to the rotatable energy generator and in threaded engagement with the driver such that displacement of the driver causes the axle to rotate and the energy generator to be activated. Here, the displacement, usually linear, is converted to rotational movement of the axle and then to rotation of the energy generator.

In order to increase the rotation of the energy generator, the transmission may further comprise a gearbox between the axle and the energy generator. Moreover, for prolonging the rotation of the energy generator and thereby the duration of power, the transmission may further comprise a flywheel for assisting rotation of the energy generator. In order to prolong the duration of power even more, an energy storage element may be incorporated, which energy storage element may comprise capacitors and supercapacitors.

The above mentioned aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, of which

Figs. 1a, 1b show schematic illustrations of a locking system utilizing the present invention,

Fig. 2 shows a side view if a device according to the application attached to a fixed structure,

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the device of Fig. 2 with a housing partly cut away in order to view the interior of the device,

Fig. 3a shows a detailed view of the device of Fig. 3 with an alternative load detecting unit,

Fig. 4 schematically shows a vehicle provided with a system comprising the device of Fig. 2,

Figs. 5-8 show arrangement of sensor and information elements to be used in the device of Fig. 2, and

Figs. 9-14 show a device with power-generating capabilities.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device according to the present invention is intended to be used with locking system for doors and the like openable structures that allow or deny access to any type of compartments that may contain goods and items that need to be protected. The openable structures may comprise swing doors, sliding doors, folding doors, revolving doors, just to mention a few types. Figs. 1 a and 1 b schematically show such one example of a locking system 2 attached to a swing door 4, in turn pivotally attached to a door frame or post 5 of a compartment (not shown). The locking system 2 comprises a locking member in the form of a locking bolt 6 that is movable in the longitudinal direction between a retracted resting position and an extended locking position.

Regarding a definition of locking member, it may include bolts, latches, bars, pins and all types of members that are capable of engaging with fixed structures for providing a locking action, and combinations of these as well as locking systems having a plurality of cooperating locking members such as espagnolettes and other transmissions such as in safe doors operating several locking members at the same time, which locking members may engage with fixed structures in different directions and may be moved from a resting position to a locking position. The movement may be performed by different means such as handles, transmissions and combinations thereof as well as by the movement of the door that is to be locked and also by manually moving the locking member.

In the locking position, the free end of the locking bolt 6 is inserted into a recess 8 in a fixed structure such as the door frame as seen in the right picture in Fig. 1b. It is to be understood that the locking system may be placed in other positions on a door.

For instance, a locking system may be arranged on one side of a door or the door be provided with two locking systems, one on each side of a door. It is also to be understood that a locking system may act upwards.

Fig. 2 shows a locking detection device 10. The locking detection device is intended to be attached to a fixed structure 12 of a compartment provided with at least one opening as well as at least one closing structure. The closing structure may be any type of door or hatch that can be arranged in the opening for closing the opening.

The fixed structure may in that regard be a door frame, a floor or a ceiling of the compartment. The locking detection device 10 is arranged to cooperate with a locking bolt 14 of a locking system such that in a locking position, the locking bolt 14 is moved into an engaging position with the locking detection device 10. The locking detection device 10 as shown comprises a generally tubular housing 16 forming an inner cavity 18 and having an upper opening 20. The tubular housing 16 is in the example shown generally in the form of a cylinder, but it is to be understood that the housing may have other forms in cross-section, such as elliptic or polygonal. The housing 16 is arranged to be inserted into a recess in the fixed structure 12 and be attached thereto. In order to provide the correct attachment position in the longitudinal direction along a centre axis CA, one end, preferably the upper end of the housing 16, is provided with a circumferential flange 22 around its opening 20 that will rest against a surface surrounding the entrance of the recess when installed. The opposite end of the housing 16 is provided with a bottom wall 24. The housing 16 is preferably made of a material that can withstand impact from liquids such as water and water-containing liquids as well as acid solutions, such as corrosion resistant stainless steel. It is however to be understood that other types of suitable materials may be utilized, having the desired properties. Inside the housing a contact block 25 is arranged, which contact block 25 is designed to cooperate with the end of the locking bolt 14 for locking engagement. The contact block 25 is preferably also made of a corrosion resistant material.

The housing 16 further comprises a support structure, Fig. 3, that in the example shown is a wall section 26 inside the housing 16 at a distance from the opening 18, which wall section 26 is arranged generally transversal to the centre axis CA and attached to the inner wall of the housing 16. In this regard, the contact block 25 may be attached to the wall section 26. The bottom wall 24 is provided with a drainage passage 28. A tubing or the like may be arranged in the drainage passage 28 for guiding the drained liquid away from the device.

The locking detection device 10 is further preferably arranged with a controller 30 having a circuit board attached to the support structure 26. In this regard, the circuit board may also be the support structure. The controller 30 is connected to, or being provided with, a number of sensors and communication devices, as will be described. The controller 30 may be connected with wiring 32 to a power source, such as for instance the electrical system 34 of a vehicle 36, comprising e.g. generator and batteries 38, if the locking system is used with a container lorry or semi-trailer truck, Fig. 4. It is to be understood that the power source also may be a stand-alone battery unit 40, forming a system with the device. The system with the battery unit 40 may further be provided with photovoltaic cells 42 that via a charging circuit can charge the battery 40. It is also possible to combine this system with a connection to obtain power from an electrical system 34 of a vehicle.

For instance, if a compartment with the device according to the invention, such as a semi-trailer, is connected to a truck, then the power from the electrical system 34 of the vehicle can be used. Flowever, when the semi-trailer has been disconnected from the vehicle, then the battery unit 40 with the photovoltaic cells 42 may be used. The device may also be connected to the mains if the locking system for example is used for a stationary compartment. If the power is taken from the mains, a suitable transformer may be utilized for reducing the voltage. Regarding the controller, it may preferably be encapsulated in order not to be affected and damaged by moist and the like. For instance, the encapsulation may be done by epoxy potting compounds available on the market.

The locking detection device is preferably arranged with a load cell 50 that can detect if a locking bolt is present inside the housing or not. The load cell 50 is in the example shown a pin that is extending from the bottom of the housing 16 and towards the opening 20. The load cell 50 is attached with suitable means to the end wall 24 of the housing. The active part of the load cell 50 on the upper end may be any suitable element capable of detecting a force on it such as for example piezo electric sensors or strain gauges. The load cell 50 is positioned in the housing 16 such that it can come in contact with and detect the presence of the end of a locking bolt 14. Wiring from the load cell 50 is attached to the controller 30. In this regard, the controller 30 may be provided with processing elements such as micro-processors 66, memory modules 68 and switches 70. When the device is installed, a reference load is detected by the load cell 50, recorded by a micro-processor 66 and stored in a memory module 68 of the controller 30. Thereafter, each time that the load cell 50 registers an applied load, and the time stamp of the load applied, this load is analysed and compared to the reference load and stored in a memory module 68 in order to create a log. Each time a load is applied, data is collected by the load cell during a certain time period, whereby a graph is created and from the graph/data it is then possible to analyse actual patterns and to compare when deviations from the normal occur. On deviation, the microprocessor can trigger an alarm signal and take decisions of action locally according to pre configurated patterns or threshold values. Each event generates an encrypted log event that is stored locally and can be transferred to a remote receiver. All actions and events can be remotely exchanged on accessibility to remote connections and systems by authorized communication members. The configurations can be updated and changed via mobile wireless device or wired connection.

As an alternative to an electrical load cell, a hydraulic solution could also be utilized, Fig. 3a. For instance, a hydraulic cylinder 71 with hydraulic fluid may be placed in the cavity of the housing with a piston rod 73 directed towards the opening and when a locking bolt enters the cavity, it will come in contact with the piston rod 73, wherein the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic cylinder 71 will be pressurized. A manometer or the like may be connected to the piston to the detect the increase in pressure, indicating that the locking bolt is in place. In operations an operation range is enabled to define and set as normal. On deviations different kind of alerts are enabled to be triggered and communicated to selected receivers. This data may be used in the same manner as with the above described load cell. In this regard, also a pneumatic solution could be used. Pretensioned mechanical springs can be used to achieve the same features, detection of compression can be measured and detected by length indicators.

The locking detection device 10 may preferably be arranged with further sensors 72 that can detect certain conditions, and thereby enhance the security against manipulation. In this regard, one or several sensors 72 may be positioned adjacent the contact surfaces between the device and the locking bolt. For instance, the contact block 25 may be arranged with a number of fixation points for sensors, and in the example shown in Figs. 5-7, a number of passages 74 have been created in a side wall of a longitudinally extending cavity in the centre of the contact block. A number of different functions and sensors may be employed here.

As an example, the position, distance, angle etc. of the locking bolt may be detected compared and registered. Suitable sensors for this detection may comprise optical sensors, lidar sensors, laser sensors, inductive sensors, proximity sensors, IR- sensors, sensors for reading NFC/RFID-chips, sensors for reading magnetic strips, accelerometers just to mention some sensors that can be suitable. There are a number of such sensors available on the market that can be chosen from. One or several of these sensors used may then be connected to the controller 30 for processing of signals. For instance, accelerometers alone can detect vibrations in a wide range of frequencies and a signal analysis can be conducted locally by the microprocessor to trigger alerts as early warnings on intrusion attempts/attacks.

As a further possibility, the locking bolt may be arranged with identification elements 76, Fig. 8, that preferably are unique to the specific locking bolt. Such identification elements may for example comprise IR code, holograms, etching on the surface of the locking bolt, numbers, alpha-numerical signs, QR-code, bar-code or the like. If the sensors that can read such identification elements are placed in the passages of the contact block, then the inclined surface of the locking bolt may be provided with these identification elements. The detected identification elements are then compared to stored information regarding accepted and approved identification elements. It is of course to be understood that the identification elements may be placed on other surfaces of the locking bolt, which surfaces are accessible to suitable sensors. For instance, the identification elements may be placed on the side surface of the locking bolt or in a cavity of the locking bolt. As a further alternative, the locking bolt may be provided with so-called microdots, which are small flakes provided with unique serial numbers. The microdots may be applied in a coating or a label that is attached to the surface of the locking bolt.

Depending on the chosen type of identification elements, different types of sensors may be employed. Examples of suitable sensors comprise optical sensors, lidar sensors, laser sensors, inductive sensors, proximity sensors, IR-sensors, sensors for reading NFC/RFID-chips, sensors for reading magnetic strips, UV light, just to mention some sensors that can be suitable. There are a number of such sensors available on the market that can be chosen from.

Another option for identifying the correct locking bolt is by using a camera as a sensor 72. The camera may provide pictures that are transferred to the controller and stored in a memory element. The captured picture or pictures may then be compared to a stored reference picture. The pictures may contain some of the above mentioned identification elements, but may further contain tree-dimensional images with unique shapes.

A further option with the locking identification device is to provide it with temperature sensors. The temperature sensors may measure and register the temperature of the locking bolt and the measured temperature may be stored and compared with reference temperatures. Regarding temperature, the contact block of the locking identification device may also be used as a heat transmitter. The contact block may then be arranged with an attachment point or surface 44 for a heating element 46. In the example shown a flat surface 44 is arranged on the side surface of the contact block. A generally rectangular heating element 46 is attached to the surface 44. The heating element 46 is connected to the controller for obtaining power.

In view of the above, it is of course possible to combine a number of different sensor technologies and identification elements in order to obtain the desired level of protection and/or the desired level of information and status.

The locking detection device may further be arranged with communication and transmitting elements 78. The transmitting elements 78 may be connected to the communication system of the vehicle that most modern transport vehicles are provided with, such as the CAN bus system 80 of the vehicle 36, Fig. 4. The information that the locking detection device has collected may then be transferred to different systems 82 of the vehicle for presentation and other measures. Modern vehicles are also often equipped with wireless communication systems 84 that can be used for transmitting information obtained by the locking detection device to remote data centres for presentation and for taking different types of actions. Data can be used for different actions taken by transportation company route planner, owner of goods, insurance company investigator, police, when an unlocked compartment is detected. Immediate actions from a risk management perspective to lower risk. Pattern detection of specific risk environments, routes, parking lots, areas, regions, drivers terminal areas, to mention a few. On incidents it is critical and crucial to detect if a compartment was locked/unlocked and if it was authorized or unauthorized. Where, when, what time and by whom. As an alternative, a mobile phone or the like connected to the communication system may also be used for transmitting information. Regarding communication, the data is preferably encrypted so that it cannot be intercepted and manipulated before reaching the proper receiving entity.

Regarding communication, the locking detection device may itself be provided with such functionality. As an example, a separate module 86 may be arranged inside the housing and be operationally connected to the controller 30. The module 86 is then provided with at least one type of necessary communication module such as GSM/GPRS-module, Lora, Wi-Fi, BLE, NFC/RFID, UHF, or other radio modules. These modules may then communicate with different sources. One source could then be the communication system of the vehicle as described above or directly with remote data centres. The communication module is preferable arranged with an internal antenna, but may instead or in addition be arranged with an external antenna 88. With the communication possibilities from and to the locking detection device, it is also possible to change a number of parameters in the locking detection device. For instance, an authorised person, a mobile unit of remote unit may change reference data stored in the memory modules. Thus, the reference load for the load cell may be changed, as well as any reference picture, code, number, ornamental geometry, biometry or temperature that is stored in the locking detection device.

Further, apart from data and information obtained by the locking detection device, the actual position of the vehicle or trailer provided with the locking detection device may also be obtained when an anomality is detected such that it is easy to trace the position where an attempt to manipulate the compartment containing he locking detection device was made. In this regard, a GPS system of the vehicle or a GPS module built in the locking detection device, as well as triangulation of GSM/GPRS, Lora or other signals may be used.

Figures 9-10 show a further development of the device of a locking system having power-generating functions. Figs. 9-10 show a locking bolt 100 having a lower free end section 102 arranged to fit into a suitable recess in a fixed structure for a locking position. The free end section 102 is attached to a central elongated shaft 104 that is hollow, forming a passage 106 through the central shaft 104. The free end section 102 is in turn arranged with a central passage 108 ending at an end surface 110 of the free end section, wherein its central passage 108 is aligned with the central passage 106 of the shaft 104. The elongated shaft 104 of the locking bolt may be arranged with a security device 112 for protection against attempts to cut of the locking bolt. The security device comprises a generally tubular body 114 with end walls 116. The end walls are arranged with seats for accommodating bearings 118 such as ball bearings, which bearings in turn are attached to the shaft. This enables a rotation of the security device 112 should someone attempt to cut the locking bolt with a grinder having a rotating tool. In addition, as an extra protection, the security device may be arranged with an outer cover of extremely wear-resistant material such as carbide material, for instance plates of titanium carbide or wolfram carbide. The locking bolt of Figs. 9 and 10 is further arranged with a load cell 120. This is provided in the form of a cylindrical block that may have generally the same diameter as the locking bolt. The load cell 120 is fixedly attached to the shaft 104 by for example threads of a central passage of the load cell. The interior of the load cell block is arranged with sensors that are capable of sensing load on the locking bolt, such as for example piezo-electric sensors or strain gauges. The load cell is electrically connected to a controller 122 at an upper end of the locking bolt. The upper end is further arranged with an energy generating element 124 comprising a housing 126 at a distance from the upper end of the load cell as seen in the longitudinal direction. The housing 126 is arranged with an electrical power energy generator 128, Fig. 11. The generator 128 is in turn connected to a gearbox 130 for transmitting rotational movement. The gearbox 130 is rotatably connected to an axle 132 extending into the housing. The axle 132 is journaled in a bearing 134 such as a roller bearing attached to the housing. The axle 132 extends in the longitudinal direction towards the free end of the locking bolt and generally parallel with its centre axis. The axle 132 is also journaled in a bearing 134 attached to the load cell 120.

The axle 132 is further connected to a driver 136. The driver 136 has a generally cylindrical shape with generally the same diameter as the locking bolt and has a central passage 137 through which the shaft 104 of the locking bolt extends, whereby the driver 136 is slidable along the distance between the load cell and the generator housing. The driver 136 is further provided with a second passage 138 through which the axle 132 extends. The second passage 138 is arranged with threads 140, Fig. 12, that are cooperating with threads 142 on the outer surface of the axle 132 such that movement of the driver 136 along the shaft 104 of the locking bolt will cause a rotation of the axle 132. The threads could be trapezoid threads as seen in Fig. 12. A spring 144 is further arranged between the load cell and the driver 136, for biasing the driver 136 in an upper position contacting the energy generating element 124. Of the above it is to be understood that even if the locking bolt is shown with an upper end, it of course continues further beyond the position of the controller up to a locking bolt handling device of the locking system and in particular with a further part attached to and acting on the housing as will be described. Moreover, the controller is arranged with any or some of the sensors as described above. In this regard, sensors may be arranged at the end of the locking bolt or inside the hollow passage of the shaft, capable of detecting and identifying elements arranged in the receiving cavity. Instead of wiring in the hollow passage from sensors up to the controller, wireless connections may be used via short distance low energy radio protocol, for instance.

When used, the locking bolt is moved into a receiving fixed part of the locking system wherein the free end of the locking bolt is moved in contact with a corresponding surface of the fixed part. Th contact force is sensed by the load cell 120. Further, the downward force by the locking system will move the energy generating element 124 and the driver 136 towards the free end of the locking bolt, sliding along the shaft 104. Due to the threaded connection between the driver 136 and the axle 132, the axle 132 will rotate during the movement of the driver 136. The rotating axle 132 will in turn rotate the generator 128 via the gearbox 130, whereby electric power is generated. This electric power will then be used to activate the sensors in order to obtain information as described above and to activate the processing and memory elements of the controller for processing and storing information. In that regard the controller may optionally be arranged with a micro battery that is powering a real-time clock in order to create a time and event log that is stored in the memory elements. This may in particular be important in order to gain information at what point in time an unauthorised event occurred. Thus, the device is self-powered and is in particular obtaining power during a locking action of the locking bolt. However, the self-powering can also be used during an unlocking action. When the locking bolt is moved out of engagement with the receiving fixed part during unlocking, there is no more any forces from the locking system acting on the housing and on the driver. Instead, the force of the spring, or by external force applied to the locking bolt, releasing the spring, will now force the driver to move in the opposite direction. This movement will again cause the axle to rotate and thus the generator to rotate and provide electric power. This will again activate the sensors and the controller for creating a time and event log.

Regarding the power creation by the generator 128, the threaded connection between the driver 136 and the axle 132 may be chosen to generate a substantial rotational speed of the axle 132. In turn, the ratio of the gearbox 130 may also be chosen or selected to substantially increase the rotational speed of the generator 128 in order to provide the required electrical power. Moreover, supercapacitors 146 may be connected to the generator for temporary storing the generated electrical power.

In addition or instead, back-up batteries may be used for storing the generated electrical power. This setup may further be complemented with flywheels 148 connected to the generator 128 and driven by the rotation of the gearbox 130, Fig.

11.

If the security device 114 is rotatably journaled in the shaft 104 of the locking bolt, the security device may also be provided with generators capable of generating electrical power. Thus, if an attempt is made to cut off the locking bolt, whereby a grinder will cause the security device to rotate, then the power from the generator connected to the security device will activate the controller and the sensors as described above.

As a further measure, the controller may be operationally connected to a communication module. The communication module may comprise a number of different communication technologies like radio communication, GSM/GPRS, Wi-Fi, Lora, NFC or/and Bluetooth. These communication technologies may have built-in antennas in the communication module as well as external antennas. In that regard, the communication module may be designed and programmed, when activated as described above, to search for and locate authorized external antennas. For instance, these external antennas may be placed on an outer surface of the compartment that the locking system is protecting. The external antennas could also be a part of a mobile phone or a tablet that an authorized operator is provided with. With these external antennas, data and information stored in the memory elements of the controller may be transmitted to remote data centres for further action. Communication between the locking bolt and remote receivers/senders is enabled for security, installation, service, update and operation purposes.

A variant to the above power energy generating solution describe above is shown in Figs. 13-14. For ease of understanding, the same elements have been provided with the same reference numbers as the previous embodiment. Flere the device is arranged to receive a locking bolt 14 for a locking action. The device according to the figures comprises a generally tubular housing 200 having a bottom wall 202 and an opening 203 in the opposite end for receiving the locking bolt in its cavity 18. A hollow central shaft or an axle with a longitudinal trace 104 coinciding with the centre axis CA of the device is attached to a lower end surface of a generally cylindrical load cell 120. The upper end of the load cell 120 is arranged to contact the free end of the locking bolt. A support wall 204 is attached to the inner surface of the housing 200, provided with a central passage 206 through which the shaft 104 extends. At the lower end of the housing an energy generating element 124 is arranged, placed in a housing 126. The energy generating element 124 is arranged with an electrical power generator 128, Fig. 11. The generator 128 is in turn connected to a gearbox 130 for transmitting rotational movement. The gearbox is rotatably connected to an axle 132 extending into the housing. The axle 132 is journaled in a bearing 128 such as a roller bearing attached to the housing. The axle 132 extends in the longitudinal direction towards the free end of the locking bolt and generally parallel with its centre axis. The axle 132 is also journaled in a bearing 128 attached to the support wall 204. The axle 132 is further connected to a driver 136. The driver 136 has a generally cylindrical shape and has a central passage 137 through which the shaft 104 of the locking bolt extends, whereby the driver 136 is slidable along the distance between the load cell and the generator housing. The driver 136 is further provided with a second passage 138 through which the axle 132 extends, Fig. 12. The second passage 138 is arranged with threads 140, Fig. 12, that are cooperating with threads 142 on the outer surface of the axle 132 such that movement of the driver 136 along the shaft 104 of the locking bolt will cause a rotation of the axle 132. The threads could be trapezoid threads as seen in Fig. 12. A spring 144 is further arranged between the energy generating element 124 and the driver 130, for biasing the driver in an upper position, contacting the load cell 120.

When used, the locking bolt is moved into the housing 200 and into contact with the load cell 120. The contact force is sensed by the load cell 120. Further, the downward force by the locking bolt will move the load cell 120 and the driver 136 towards the energy generating element 124, sliding along the shaft 104. Due to the threaded connection between the driver 136 and the axle 132, the axle 132 will rotate during the movement of the driver 136. The rotating axle 132 will in turn rotate the generator 128 via the gearbox 130, whereby electric power is generated. This electric power will then be used to activate the sensors in order to obtain information as described above and to activate the processing and memory elements of the controller for processing and storing information. In that regard the controller may optionally be arranged with a micro battery that is powering a timer in order to create a time and event log that is stored in the memory elements. Thus, the device is self- powered and is in particular obtaining power during a locking action of the locking bolt.

Flowever, the self-powering can also be used during an unlocking action. When the locking bolt is moved out of engagement with the receiving fixed part during unlocking, there is no more any forces from the locking system acting on the load cell 120 and on the driver 136. Instead, the force of the spring 144 will now force the driver 136 to move in the opposite direction. This movement will again cause the axle 132 to rotate and thus the generator to rotate and provide electric power. This will again activate the sensors and the controller for creating a time and event log.

Regarding communication capabilities, the same setup as described above for the previous embodiment may be employed also here.

It is to be understood that the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings are to be regarded only as non-limiting examples of the invention and that they may be modified in many ways within the scope of the patent claims.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Device (10) for detection of status of a locking system, which locking system comprises a locking bolt (14) movable between a resting position and a locking position, comprising

- a cavity (18) designed to receive the locking bolt in a locking position, and

- at least one sensor (50, 72, 120) capable of detecting the presence of said locking bolt.

2. Device according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one sensor is arranged in connection with said cavity.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least one sensor is arranged in connection with said locking bolt.

4. Device according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said at least one sensor comprises a load cell (50, 120) positioned to detect a load from the locking bolt in the locking position.

5. Device according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said at least one sensor (72) comprises an optical sensor.

6. Device according to claim, 5, wherein said optical sensor comprises a camera.

7. Device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said optical sensor comprises a sensor capable of detecting optical information (14, 76) arranged on said locking bolt and/or in said cavity.

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein said optical information comprises any of barcode, QR-code, alpha-numerical signs, holograms, IR code.

9. Device according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said at least one sensor comprises a sensor capable of detecting any of inductive, radio, NFC/RFID or micro-dot information arranged on said locking bolt.

10. Device according to any of the claims 1 to 4, wherein said at least one sensor comprises an accelerometer.

11. Device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a controller (30) arranged with elements for processing, storing and transmitting detected information.

12. Device according to claim 11 , wherein said controller is arranged to compare detected information with pre-stored information.

13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said controller is operably connected to a communication system of a vehicle.

14. Device according to any of the preceding claims 11 - 13, wherein said controller comprises a real-time clock.

15. Device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising connections to an electrical system of a vehicle.

16. System comprising a device according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 15, further comprising a battery (40) as power source.

17. System according to claim 16, further comprising a charger (40) for charging the battery.

18. System according to claim 16 or 17, further comprising a photovoltaic cell (42).

19. Device according to any of the preceding claims 1 - 14, further comprising an energy generating element (124) comprising

- an energy generator (128) for driving said at least one sensor,

- a transmission (130, 132, 140, 142) operably connected to said energy generator, wherein said transmission is capable of transmitting movement of said locking bolt to and from a locking position to said energy generator, which movement activates said energy generator.

20. Device according to claim 19, wherein said transmission comprises a driver (136) arranged displacable by said movement of said locking bolt.

21.Device according to claim 20, wherein said energy generator is rotatable, wherein said transmission further comprises an axle (132) operably connected to said rotatable energy generator and in threaded engagement (140, 142) with said driver such that displacement of said driver causes said axle to rotate and said energy generator to be activated.

22. Device according to claim 21 , wherein said transmission further comprises a gearbox (130) between said axle and said energy generator.

23. Device according to claim 21 or 22, wherein said transmission further comprises a flywheel (148) for assisting rotation of said energy generator.

24. Device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an energy storage element (146).

25. Device according to claim 24, wherein said energy storage element comprises supercapacitors and/or back-up batteries.