WO2025257028A1

WO2025257028A1 - Arrangement for lock device, and lock device

Info

Publication number: WO2025257028A1
Application number: PCT/EP2025/065700
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erik Holst-Larsen; Harald VESTØL
Original assignee: Assa Abloy AB
Current assignee: Assa Abloy AB
Priority date: 2024-06-10
Filing date: 2025-06-05
Publication date: 2025-12-18
Anticipated expiration: 2026-12-10
Also published as: SE2450631A1; SE548041C2

Abstract

An arrangement (22) for a lock device (12), the arrangement (22) comprising a follower (56) rotatable around a rotation axis (54); an inner element (46) rotatable around the rotation axis (54) and arranged to engage the follower (56); an outer element (44) rotatable around the rotation axis (54) and passing through the follower (56); a coupling member (80) arranged to couple the inner element (46) to the outer element (44), the coupling member (80) being positioned on an inside (38) of the follower (56). A lock device (12) and an access member system (10) are also provided.

Description

ARRANGEMENT FOR LOCK DEVICE, AND LOCK DEVICE

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to lock devices. In particular, an arrangement for a lock device comprising a coupling member, and a lock device comprising such arrangement, are provided.

Background

Some electronic lock devices comprise inner and outer thumb turns and a deadbolt for engaging a strike opening in a frame when a door leaf is closed. The deadbolt may be operable between an extended position and a retracted position by the inner thumb turn at all times. The deadbolt may however only be operatable by the outer thumb turn upon a granted authorization request from a user. The authorization request may for example be input wirelessly. An inner spindle driven by the inner thumb turn may pass through, and be permanently engaged with, a follower, and a coupling may be provided outside of the follower to selectively couple an outer spindle driven by the outer thumb turn to the inner spindle upon the granted authorization request.

Summary

One object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement for a lock device.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved lock device.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved access member system. These objects are achieved by the arrangement according to appended claim 1, the lock device according to claim 14 and the access member system according to appended claim 15.

The invention is based on the realization that by providing an arrangement for a lock device comprising a split spindle where an inner spindle engages a follower at the same time as an outer spindle passes through the follower, a coupling for coupling the outer spindle to the inner spindle can be positioned inside of the follower to provide several advantages, in particular an improved security.

According to a first aspect, there is provided an arrangement for a lock device, the arrangement comprising a follower rotatable around a rotation axis; an inner element rotatable around the rotation axis and arranged to engage the follower; an outer element rotatable around the rotation axis and passing through the follower; a coupling member arranged to couple the inner element to the outer element, the coupling member being positioned on an inside of the follower.

By positioning the coupling member that governs the coupling between the outer element and the inner element on the inside of the follower, unauthorized tampering of the coupling member is made more difficult. Thereby, security of the arrangement is improved.

The positioning of the coupling member on the inside of the follower also enables a less complicated design and an improved climate protection, and greatly facilitates various electric connections, e.g., associated with the coupling member. For example, an electric connection between a control system on the inside of the follower and an actuator for driving the coupling member can be made shorter and more conveniently routed in comparison with a scenario where the actuator is positioned on the outside of the follower. Unless otherwise indicated, an inside may refer to an inner side of a plane transverse to the rotation axis and including the follower, and an outside may refer to an outer side of such plane.

The inner element and the outer element may comprise an inner spindle and an outer spindle, respectively. Alternatively, or in addition, the inner element may comprise an inner shaft and the outer element may comprise an outer shaft. The inner and outer shafts may be concentric with the rotation axis. The outer shaft may pass through the follower. The inner element may comprise an inner disc, e.g., fixed to the inner shaft, and the outer element may comprise an outer disc, e.g., fixed to the outer shaft. Each of the inner and outer discs may have a main extension in respective planes transverse to the rotation axis. In some variants, the inner disc is positioned between the follower and the outer disc along the rotation axis.

An outer thumb turn of the lock device may be arranged to drive the outer element and an inner thumb turn of the lock device may be arranged to drive the inner element.

The arrangement may further comprise a latch device. The latch device may comprise a deadbolt and an actuation member rotatable around the rotation axis. In these cases, the latch device may be configured to transmit a rotation of the actuation member around the rotation axis to a movement of the deadbolt. The actuation member may comprise the follower and an actuation arm fixed to the follower.

The deadbolt may comprise a deadbolt feature. In these cases, the actuation member may contact the deadbolt feature to transmit the rotation of the actuation member to the movement of the deadbolt. The deadbolt feature may be an opening receiving the actuation member, such as in the form of an actuation arm.

The coupling member may be arranged to rotate in common with the outer element around the rotation axis. The arrangement may for example comprise a coupling element rotatable around the rotation axis. The coupling element may comprise a coupling disc and the coupling member. The coupling disc may have a main extension in a plane transverse to the rotation axis. The coupling element may be positioned inside of the follower. In some variants, the outer disc may be positioned between the inner disc and the coupling disc along the rotation axis. In some alternative variants, the coupling disc is positioned between the inner disc and the outer disc along the rotation axis.

The inner element may comprise an arc-shaped inner portion concentric with the rotation axis and arranged to engage the follower. The outer element, such as an outer shaft thereof, may be positioned radially inside of the arcshaped inner portion with respect to the rotation axis inside of the follower. The arc-shaped inner portion may have an angular extension with respect to the rotation axis of at least 1 degree and/or less than 359 degrees. The arc shape of the arc-shaped inner portion enables a compact design of the arrangement, e.g., in a radial direction with respect to the rotation axis, enables efficient engagement of the follower, and enables the outer spindle to pass therethrough.

The follower may be arc-shaped, concentric with the rotation axis and arranged to be engaged by the arc-shaped inner portion. The arc-shaped inner portion may be complementary to the follower such that these collectively enclose the rotation axis.

The coupling member may be configured to adopt a decoupled state where the outer element is allowed to rotate around the rotation axis relative to the inner element in a rotation direction, and a coupled state where the coupling member couples the inner element to rotate in common with the outer element in the rotation direction. When the coupling member is in the decoupled state, the outer element may freewheel around the rotation axis. In the coupled state, the coupling member may rotate in common with the outer element around the rotation axis. In the coupled state, the outer element may drive the coupling member around the rotation axis, e.g., by contacting and/or pushing the coupling member, and the coupling member may drive the inner element around the rotation axis, e.g., by contacting and/or pushing the inner element.

The decoupled state and the coupled state may be a decoupled position and a coupled position, respectively. As one conceivable alternatively, the decoupled state and the coupled state may be a blocked state and an unblocked state, respectively, or conversely.

The outer element may comprise an engageable feature arranged to be engaged by the coupling member in the coupled state. The engageable feature may be a recess arranged to receive the coupling member in the coupled state.

The inner element may comprise a first stop, a second stop and an angular clearance with respect to the rotation axis defined by the first stop and the second stop. In these cases, the coupling member may be arranged to move in the angular clearance and contact the first stop or the second stop by rotation of the outer element when the coupling member adopts the coupled state. The angular clearance may for example be at least 90 degrees and/or less than 180 degrees.

The coupling member may be rotatable between the decoupled state and the coupled state around a coupling axis. By virtue of the coupling member being rotatable in the context of the arrangement according to the first aspect, the arrangement becomes much more resistant against tampering in comparison with a linearly moving coupling member. Such tampering may for example include subjecting the arrangement to vibrations.

The coupling axis may be oriented substantially transverse to, or transverse to, the rotation axis.

The arrangement may further comprise a track including a circular track portion concentric with the rotation axis and arranged to be contacted by the coupling member to maintain the coupling member in the coupled state, and a track opening arranged to allow the coupling member to move between the decoupled state and the coupled state.

The arrangement may further comprise an electromagnetic actuator including an actuating element arranged to move from an inactive position to an active position to thereby force the coupling member from the decoupled state to the coupled state. To this end, the actuating element may for example push the coupling member. The actuator may be positioned inside of the follower. The actuator may for example comprise a DC, direct current, motor.

The arrangement may further comprise an electronic control system. The control system may comprise at least one data processing device and at least one memory having at least one computer program stored therein, the at least one computer program comprising program code which, when executed by the at least one data processing device, causes the at least one data processing device to perform, or command performance of, various steps as described herein. The at least one computer program may comprise program code which, when executed by the at least one data processing device, causes the at least one data processing device to evaluate a credential and to command the actuator to move the actuating element from the inactive position to the active position if the credential is valid. The control system may be positioned on the inside of the follower.

The actuator may comprise a drive element drivable between first drive position and a second drive position, and an actuator spring arranged between and contacting the drive element and the actuating element. Such actuator may provide a mechanical memory function in that the actuator can be electrically actuated during a short time period and the actuating element can be driven mechanically thereafter, e.g., once the recess becomes aligned with the coupling member. The drive element may be a screw rotatable between the first and second drive positions. The actuator spring may for example be a torsion spring including two legs and a coiled portion therebetween. In these cases, one leg may engage the screw and one leg may engage the actuating element. The actuator may for example be a blocker as described in Swedish patent application SE 2250735 Al, the content of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

The arrangement may further comprise a base structure and a handing element connected to one of the inner element and the base structure. In these cases, the other one of the inner element and the base structure may comprise a first handing feature arranged to be engaged by the handing element in a first handing position of the inner element and a second handing feature arranged to be engaged by the handing element in a second handing position of the inner element. Thus, according to some variants, the handing element is connected to the inner element and the first and second handing features are provided on the base structure. In some alternative variants, the handing element is connected to base structure and the first and second handing features are provided on the inner element. In these manners, a handing of the arrangement can easily be changed by releasing the engagement between the handing element and the first handing feature, and rotating the inner element to the second handing position, e.g., by rotating the inner thumb turn, such that the handing element engages the second handing feature, or vice versa.

The handing element may be a blade spring. Such blade spring can easily be accessed and released from the inside of the arrangement, e.g. by using a flat head screwdriver.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a lock device comprising the arrangement according to the first aspect. The lock device may for example comprise the outer thumb turn, the inner thumb turn, an outer handle and/or an inner handle.

According to a third aspect, there is provided an access member system comprising the lock device according to the second aspect, a frame and an access member movable relative to the frame. The access member may for example be a door leaf. Alternatively, or in addition, the access member may be rotatable relative to the frame. According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a torque limiter comprising an input element rotatable around a rotation axis; an output element rotatable around the rotation axis and axially movable along the rotation axis relative to the input element between an engaged position and a disengaged position; a spring; and a cam surface arranged to transmit a rotation of the input element to a movement of the output element from the engaged position towards the disengaged position against a force of the spring. The spring may be a disc spring.

The arrangement according to the first aspect may comprise the torque limiter according to the fourth aspect. The torque limiter may be arranged between the outer thumb turn and the outer element. The outer thumb turn may be fixed to the input element and the output element may be fixed to the outer element. Due to the torque limiter, high torques are prevented from being transmitted to the inner element.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1: schematically represents an outer view of an access member system comprising a lock device;

Fig. 2: schematically represents a front view of a strike;

Fig. 3: schematically represents a front view of the lock device;

Fig. 4: schematically represents a partial perspective side view of a latch device;

Fig. 5: schematically represents a perspective side view of an outer spindle;

Fig. 6: schematically represents a perspective side view of an inner spindle;

Fig. 7: schematically represents a perspective side view of a coupling element; Fig. 8: schematically represents a partial perspective view of an arrangement for the lock device;

Fig. 9: schematically represents a partial outer view of a base structure and the coupling element;

Fig. 10: schematically represents a side view of the arrangement when a coupling member is in a decoupled position;

Fig. 11: schematically represents a partial outer view of the arrangement when the coupling member is in the decoupled position;

Fig. 12: schematically represents a partial outer view of the arrangement when the coupling member is in the decoupled position and the outer spindle has been rotated relative to the inner spindle;

Fig. 13: schematically represents a side view of the arrangement when the coupling member is in a coupled position;

Fig. 14: schematically represents a partial outer view of the arrangement when the coupling member is in the coupled position;

Fig. 15: schematically represents a partial outer view of the arrangement when the coupling member is in the coupled position and the outer spindle has been rotated together with the inner spindle;

Fig. 16: schematically represents a side view of the arrangement when the actuating element has been commanded to move towards an active position;

Fig. 17: schematically represents a perspective and cross-sectional side view of a torque limiter;

Fig. 18: schematically represents a perspective side view of an input spindle;

Fig. 19: schematically represents a perspective side view of an output spindle; and

Fig. 20: schematically represents a perspective side view of a disc spring.

Detailed Description

In the following, an arrangement for a lock device comprising a coupling member, and a lock device comprising such arrangement, will be described. The same or similar reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

Fig. 1 schematically represents an outer view of an access member system io. The access member system io comprises one example of a lock device 12. The access member system 10 of this example further comprises a frame 14 and a door leaf 16 rotatable relative to the frame 14. The door leaf 16 is one example of an access member. In Fig. 1, the door leaf 16 is in the frame 14 in a closed position.

The access member system 10 further comprises an outer handle 18a, an inner handle 18b (Fig. 3) and a latch bolt 20. Each of the outer and inner handles 18a and 18b can be operated to retract the latch bolt 20.

The lock device 12 comprises an arrangement 22. The lock device 12 of this example further comprises an outer escutcheon 24a, an inner escutcheon 24b (Fig. 3), an outer thumb turn 26a arranged at the outer escutcheon 24a, and an inner thumb turn 26b (Fig. 3) arranged at the inner escutcheon 24b.

The arrangement 22 comprises a deadbolt 28. The arrangement 22 of this example further comprises a strike 30. The strike 30 is installed in the frame 14. In Fig. 1, the deadbolt 28 is in a extended position engaging a strike opening of the strike 30.

Fig. 2 schematically represents a side view of the strike 30. In Fig. 2, the strike opening 32 of the strike 30 can be seen. Fig. 2 also shows that the strike 30 of this example also comprises a latch opening 34 for receiving the latch bolt 20.

Fig. 3 schematically represents a side view of the lock device 12. The outer thumb turn 26a and the outer escutcheon 24a are arranged at an outside 36 of the door leaf 16. The inner thumb turn 26b and the inner escutcheon 24b are arranged at an inside 38 of the door leaf 16. The lock device 12 comprises a forend 40. The arrangement 22 of this specific example comprises a torque limiter 42 and an outer spindle 44 (illustrated with solid lines) connected to the outer thumb turn 26a via the torque limiter 42. The outer spindle 44 is one example of an outer element.

The arrangement 22 further comprises an inner spindle 46 (illustrated with dashed lines), here fixed to the inner thumb turn 26b. The inner spindle 46 is here permanently operatively connected to the deadbolt 28 such that the deadbolt 28 can always be retracted from the inside 38 of the door leaf 16 by turning the inner thumb turn 26b. The inner spindle 46 is one example of an inner element.

The lock device 12 of this example further comprises a coupling 48. The coupling 48 is configured to selectively operatively couple the outer thumb turn 26a to the deadbolt 28. To this end, the coupling 48 of this example is configured to selectively operatively connect the outer spindle 44 to the inner spindle 46. When the outer thumb turn 26a is operatively connected to the deadbolt 28, the deadbolt 28 can be operated via the coupling 48 by turning the outer thumb turn 26a. The coupling 48 may for example be activated to operatively couple the outer thumb turn 26a and the deadbolt 28 conditional on presenting a valid credential, e.g., wirelessly using an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) card. If no credential is presented or if no valid credential is presented, the outer thumb turn 26a can be rotated freely and the outer spindle 44 may be said to freewheel. As shown in Fig. 3, the coupling 48 is at the inside 38 between the deadbolt 28 and the inner thumb turn 26b. This improves security of the lock device 12 and enables the outer escutcheon 24a to be made substantially smaller in comparison with if the coupling 48 would have been positioned inside of the outer escutcheon 24a.

Fig. 4 schematically represents a partial perspective side view of a latch device 50, here a tubular latch, of the arrangement 22. In Fig. 4, the deadbolt 28 is in a retracted position. In addition to the deadbolt 28, the latch device 50 of this example comprises an actuation member 52. The actuation member 52 is rotatable around a rotation axis 54. The actuation member 52 of this example comprises a follower 56 concentric with the rotation axis 54 and an actuation arm 58 extending from the follower 56 transverse to the rotation axis 54. The follower 56 is engaged by, and rotates in common with, the inner spindle 46 around the rotation axis 54. The outer spindle 44 passes through the follower 56 radially inside of the inner spindle 46.

The latch device 50 is configured to transmit a rotation of the actuation member 52 around the rotation axis 54 in a first direction to an extension movement of the deadbolt 28, and to transmit a rotation of the actuation member 52 around the rotation axis 54 in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, to a retraction movement of the deadbolt 28. To this end, the deadbolt 28 of this example comprises a deadbolt opening 60 engaged by the actuation arm 58. The deadbolt opening 60 is one example of a deadbolt feature configured to be engaged by the actuation member 52. The latch device 50 of this example comprises a tubular body 62 and the forend 40 fixed at a front of the tubular body 62.

Fig. 5 schematically represents a perspective side view of the outer spindle 44. The outer spindle 44 of this example comprises an outer shaft 64 and an outer disc 66 fixed to the outer shaft 64. Both the outer shaft 64 and the outer disc 66 are here concentric with the rotation axis 54. The outer disc 66 has a main extension plane transverse to the rotation axis 54. The outer disc 66 comprises a recess 68. The recess 68 extends radially inwards with respect to the rotation axis 54. The recess 68 is one example of an engageable feature.

Fig. 6 schematically represents a perspective side view of the inner spindle 46. The inner spindle 46 of this example comprises an inner shaft 70 and an inner disc 72 fixed to the inner shaft 70. Both the inner shaft 70 and the inner disc 72 are here concentric with the rotation axis 54. The inner disc 72 has a main extension plane transverse to the rotation axis 54. The inner spindle 46, here the inner disc 72 thereof, comprises a first stop 74a and a second stop 74b. Fig. 6 further shows that a leaf spring 76 is connected to the inner spindle 46, here to the inner disc 72 thereof. The leaf spring 76 is one example of a handing element.

Fig. 7 schematically represents a perspective side view of a coupling element 78 of the arrangement 22. The coupling element 78 comprises a coupling member 80. The coupling element 78 of this example further comprises a coupling disc 82. The coupling member 80 is rotatably connected to the coupling disc 82 for rotation around a coupling axis 84. The coupling axis 84 is here transverse to the rotation axis 54. The coupling element 78 further comprises a coupling spring 86. The coupling spring 86 is here exemplified as a torsion spring arranged to force the coupling member 80 to rotate around the coupling axis 84 relative to the coupling disc 82, in a clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 7. The coupling disc 82 is here concentric with the rotation axis 54. The coupling disc 82 has a main extension plane transverse to the rotation axis 54.

Fig. 8 schematically represents a partial perspective view of the arrangement 22. As shown, the outer shaft 64 passes through the follower 56 and the inner spindle 46 engages the follower 56. In this example, the inner shaft 70 comprises an arc-shaped inner portion 88 contacting and engaging the follower 56. The arc-shaped inner portion 88 of this example is concentric with the rotation axis 54 and has an angular extension around the rotation axis 54 of approximately 155 degrees. At the same radial position as the arcshaped inner portion 88, the follower 56 of this example has an angular extension around the rotation axis 54 of approximately 205 degrees. The arcshaped inner portion 88 and the follower 56 thereby collective enclose the rotation axis 54 at the radial position of the arc-shaped inner portion 88 with respect to the rotation axis 54. Within the follower 56, the outer shaft 64 is positioned radially inside of the arc-shaped inner portion 88 with respect to the rotation axis 54. The outer spindle 44 and the inner spindle 46 may thereby be said to form a split spindle inside of the follower 56. Fig. 8 also shows that the inner disc 72 is positioned between the follower 56 and the outer disc 66 along the rotation axis 54. Fig. 9 schematically represents a partial outer view of a base structure 90 and the coupling element 78. In this example, the inner escutcheon 24b is fixed to the base structure 90. The base structure 90 supports rotation of the coupling element 78 around the rotation axis 54.

The base structure 90 of this example comprises a track 92. The track 92 comprises a circular track portion 94 and a track opening 96 in the track portion 94. In Fig. 9, the track opening 96 is positioned at a bottom of the track portion 94. The track portion 94 is concentric with the rotation axis 54. As shown in Fig. 9, the coupling member 80 can travel along the track 92 when the coupling element 78 rotates around the rotation axis 54.

The base structure 90 of this example further comprises a first handing feature 98a and a second handing feature 98b. The first and second handing features 98a, 98b are here exemplified as two radially inwardly protruding recesses. The leaf spring 76 is arranged to engage the first handing feature 98a in a first handing position 100a of the inner spindle 46 around the rotation axis 54 to set a first handing of the arrangement 22. Conversely, the leaf spring 76 is arranged to engage the second handing feature 98b in a second handing position 100b of the inner spindle 46 around the rotation axis 54 to set a second handing of the arrangement 22. The leaf spring 76 can easily be accessed by a flat head screwdriver from the inside 38 of the arrangement 22 to release the leaf spring 76. Once the leaf spring 76 is released, the handing can be changed by rotating the inner spindle 46, e.g., by rotating the inner thumb turn 26b.

Fig. 10 schematically represents a side view of the arrangement 22. The coupling member 80 is shown in a decoupled state, here a decoupled position 102a.

Fig. 11 schematically represents a partial outer view of the arrangement 22 in the state in Fig. 10. Both the inner spindle 46 and the outer spindle 44 are forced to the illustrated position around the rotation axis 54 by a respective spring (not shown). In Fig. 11, the outer spindle 44, and thereby also the outer thumb turn 26a, is in a vertical starting position. Fig. 11 further shows an angular clearance 104 with respect to the rotation axis 54 defined between the first and second stops 74a, 74b. The angular clearance 104 of this example is 110 degrees. This provides for a 90 degrees rotation of the follower 56 and 20 degrees additional rotation to compensate for nominal slack between components and geometrical tolerances.

In the decoupled position 102a of the coupling member 80, the coupling member 80 does not engage the recess 68. The outer spindle 44 can thereby be rotated freely around the rotation axis 54, as shown in Fig. 12. In Fig. 12, the outer spindle 44 has rotated 90 degrees around the rotation axis 54 in a rotation direction 106, clockwise in Fig. 12.

Returning to Fig. 10, it can be seen that the outer disc 66 is positioned between the inner disc 72 and the coupling disc 82 along the rotation axis 54, and that the arrangement 22 has a very compact design. As an alternative, the coupling disc 82 may be positioned between the inner disc 72 and the outer disc 66 along the rotation axis 54, as shown with arrow 107.

The arrangement 22 of this example further comprises an electromagnetic actuator 108. The actuator 108 is here arranged to control movements of the coupling member 80. The actuator 108 of this specific and non-limiting example comprises an electric motor 110, here a DC motor, a screw 112, an actuator spring 114 and an actuating element 116. The motor 110 is arranged to drive the screw 112 to rotate. In Fig. 10, the screw 112 is in a first drive position 118a and the actuating element 116 is in an inactive position 120a. The screw 112 is one example of a drive element. The actuating element 116 is rotatable around an actuator axis 122. Although the actuator axis 122 is illustrated as being parallel with the coupling spring 86, the actuator axis 122 may alternatively be oriented parallel with the rotation axis 54 to provide an even more compact design of the arrangement 22. In such cases, the screw 112 may be oriented transverse to the rotation axis 54. The actuator spring 114 here acts between the screw 112 and the actuating element 116. The actuator spring 114 is here exemplified as a torsion spring comprising two legs and a coiled portion, concentric with the actuator axis 122, therebetween. One leg travels in the threads of the screw 112. The other leg forces the actuating element 116.

The arrangement 22 of this example further comprises an electronic control system 124. The control system 124 of this example comprises a data processing device 126 and a memory 128. The memory 128 has a computer program stored thereon. The computer program comprises program code which, when executed by the data processing device 126, causes the data processing device 126 to perform, or command performance of, various steps as described herein.

The control system 124 of this example further comprises an antenna 130 for wirelessly receiving a credential, e.g., from an RFID card (not shown) presented by a user at the outside 36. The control system 124 is configured to evaluate the credential.

Fig. 13 schematically represents a side view of the arrangement 22. Conditional on the credential being valid, the control system 124 provides access by commanding actuation of the actuator 108. In this example, the control system 124 commands the motor 110 to drive the screw 112 from the first drive position 118a to a second drive position 118b. One leg of the actuator spring 114 thereby travels along the screw 112 (to the right in Fig. 13) which causes the actuating element 116 to rotate around the actuator axis 122 from the inactive position 120a to an active position 120b. During this movement of the actuating element 116, the actuating element 116 pushes the coupling member 80 to rotate around the coupling axis 84 from the decoupled position 102a to a coupled position 102b where the coupling member 80 is received in the recess 68, as also shown in Fig. 14. The coupling 48 thereby couples the outer spindle 44 to the inner spindle 46.

Rotation of the outer spindle 44 now causes the coupling element 78 to rotate therewith due to the engagement between the coupling member 80 and the recess 68. When the coupling member 8o is in the coupled position 102b and the coupling element 78 is rotated, the coupling member 80 is brought into contact with the first stop 74a such that also the inner spindle 46 rotates in common with the outer spindle 44 in the rotation direction 106, as shown in Fig. 15. During this movement of the coupling member 80, the coupling member 80 travels along the track portion 94 and will be maintained in the coupled position 102b even if the screw 112 is driven back to the first drive position 118a. The follower 56 can thereby be rotated to retract or extend the deadbolt 28 by rotation of the outer thumb turn 26a. Once actuation of the actuator 108 has stopped and the outer spindle 44 is rotated or released such that the recess 68 again becomes aligned with the track opening 96, here through the angular clearance 104, the coupling member 80 will drop out from the recess 68 and thereby move from the coupled position 102b back to the decoupled position 102a due to the coupling spring 86. The screw 112 may be stopped in the second drive position 118b for some time, e.g., a few seconds, and then driven back to the first drive position 118a. In case the outer thumb turn 26a does not have to return to the starting position after retraction or extension of the deadbolt 28, the angular clearance 104 can be made substantially smaller, e.g., corresponding to the size and shape of the recess 68. In these cases, the coupling member 80 may also be moved out from the angular clearance 104 in the decoupled position 102a.

Fig. 16 schematically represents a side view of the arrangement 22. In Fig. 12, the actuating element 116 has been commanded to move towards the active position 120b. However, in Fig. 12, the recess 68 is not aligned with the coupling member 80 and the coupling member 80 can thereby not enter the recess 68. The screw 112 can however be driven to the second drive position 118b to tension the actuator spring 114 and the motor 110 may then be turned off. Once the recess 68 becomes aligned with the coupling member 80, the actuator spring 114 forces the actuating element 116 to adopt the active position 120b where the actuating element 116 pushes the coupling member 80 from the decoupled position 102a to the coupled position 102b. This constitutes one example of a mechanical memory function of the actuator 108.

As shown in Figs. 10, 13 and 16, the data processing device 126, the memory 128, the actuator 108, the coupling member 80, the inner disc 72 and the outer disc 66 are provided on the inside 38 of the follower 56. This provides an improved security of the arrangement 22. The antenna 130 may however optionally be provided on the outside 36 of the follower 56. Moreover, all movements of the components of the arrangement 22 of this example are rotational movements rather than translational movements. This provides a much more durable functionality, e.g., due to lower frictions, and a much stronger resistance against tampering.

Fig. 17 schematically represents a perspective and cross-sectional side view of a torque limiter 42. The torque limiter 42 of this example comprises an outer part 132, an input element 134, an output element 136 and a disc spring 138. The outer part 132 is here rotationally fixed to the outer spindle 44, but allowed to move axially relative to the outer spindle 44, with respect to the rotation axis 54. The axial movement of the outer spindle 44 allows for adaptation of the lock device 12 to different thicknesses of the door leaf 16. The outer part 132 may for example be rotationally supported in the outer escutcheon 24a. The input element 134 is fixed to the outer thumb turn 26a. The output element 136 is rotationally locked to the outer spindle 44, and axially movable relative to the outer spindle 44 along the rotation axis 54 between an engaged position 140 and a disengaged position 142. In Fig. 17, the output element 136 is shown in the engaged position 140. The disc spring 138 is here positioned between the output element 136 and the outer part 132 along the rotation axis 54. The disc spring 138 forces the output element 136 against the input element 134 (to the left in Fig. 17).

Fig. 18 schematically represents a perspective side view the input element 134. The input element 134 comprises a plurality of wedges 144. Fig. 19 schematically represents a perspective side view the output element 136. The output element 136 comprises a plurality of holes 146. In the engaged position 140 of the output element 136, each wedge 144 is received in one of the holes 146. In case a high torque is applied to the outer thumb turn 26a, the inclined sides of the wedges 144 will provide a camming function to cause a relatively high axial force on the output element 136 (to the right in Fig. 17) such that the output element 136 moves from the engaged position 140 to the disengaged position 142 against the force from the disc spring 138. In the disengaged position 142, the wedges 144 are no longer received in the holes 146.

Fig. 20 schematically represents a perspective side view a disc spring 138. As can be gathered from Figs. 17-20, the operational principle of the torque limiter 42 enables a design of the input element 134, the output element 136 and the disc spring 138 that is cost-efficient and of low complexity. For example, each of the input element 134, the output element 136 and the disc spring 138 may be produced from a metal sheet. The arrangement of the wedges 144 on the input element 134 and the holes 146 on the output element 136 may be reversed. Alternative types of cam surfaces may also be used.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above. For example, it will be appreciated that the dimensions of the parts may be varied as needed. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention may be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. An arrangement (22) for a lock device (12), the arrangement (22) comprising:

- a follower (56) rotatable around a rotation axis (54);

- an inner element (46) rotatable around the rotation axis (54) and arranged to engage the follower (56);

- an outer element (44) rotatable around the rotation axis (54) and passing through the follower (56);

- a coupling member (80) arranged to couple the inner element (46) to the outer element (44), the coupling member (80) being positioned on an inside (38) of the follower (56).

2. The arrangement (22) according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member (80) is arranged to rotate in common with the outer element (44) around the rotation axis (54).

3. The arrangement (22) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner element (46) comprises an arc-shaped inner portion (88) concentric with the rotation axis (54) and arranged to engage the follower (56).

4. The arrangement (22) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling member (80) is configured to adopt a decoupled state (102a) where the outer element (44) is allowed to rotate around the rotation axis (54) relative to the inner element (46) in a rotation direction (106), and a coupled state (102b) where the coupling member (80) couples the inner element (46) to rotate in common with the outer element (44) in the rotation direction (106).

5. The arrangement (22) according to claim 4, wherein the outer element (44) comprises an engageable feature (68) arranged to be engaged by the coupling member (80) in the coupled state (102b).

6. The arrangement (22) according to claim 5, wherein the engageable feature (68) is a recess arranged to receive the coupling member (80) in the coupled state (102b).

7. The arrangement (22) according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the inner element (46) comprises a first stop (74a), a second stop (74b) and an angular clearance (104) with respect to the rotation axis (54) defined by the first stop (74a) and the second stop (74b), and wherein the coupling member (80) is arranged to move in the angular clearance (104) and contact the first stop (74a) or the second stop (74b) by rotation of the outer element (44) when the coupling member (80) adopts the coupled state (102b).

8. The arrangement (22) according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the coupling member (80) is rotatable between the decoupled state (102a) and the coupled state (102b) around a coupling axis (84).

9. The arrangement (22) according to claim 8, wherein the coupling axis (84) is substantially transverse to the rotation axis (54).

10. The arrangement (22) according to any of claims 4 to 9, further comprising a track (92) including a circular track portion (94) concentric with the rotation axis (54) and arranged to be contacted by the coupling member (80) to maintain the coupling member (80) in the coupled state (102b), and a track opening (96) arranged to allow the coupling member (80) to move between the decoupled state (102a) and the coupled state (102b).

11. The arrangement (22) according to any of claims 4 to 10, further comprising an electromagnetic actuator (108) including an actuating element (116) arranged to move from an inactive position (120a) to an active position (120b) to thereby force the coupling member (80) from the decoupled state (102a) to the coupled state (102b).

12. The arrangement (22) according to claim 11, wherein the actuator (108) comprises a drive element (112) drivable between first drive position (118a) and a second drive position (118b), and an actuator spring (114) arranged between and contacting the drive element (112) and the actuating element (116).

13. The arrangement (22) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a base structure (90) and a handing element (76) connected to one of the inner element (46) and the base structure (90), wherein the other one of the inner element (46) and the base structure (90) comprises a first handing feature (98a) arranged to be engaged by the handing element (76) in a first handing position (100a) of the inner element (46) and a second handing feature (98b) arranged to be engaged by the handing element (76) in a second handing position (100b) of the inner element (46).

14. A lock device (12) comprising the arrangement (22) according to any of the preceding claims.

15. An access member system (10) comprising the lock device (12) according to claim 14, a frame (14) and an access member (16) movable relative to the frame (14).