[0001] The invention relates to a lock accessory, whereby a key-operated lock is convertible
into an electrically operated lock, the lock comprising a rotatable opening spindle
and a turn spindle rotatable with a handle element, the accessory comprising a housing
mountable on the surface of a door, into which said spindles extend and which contains
a mechanism interconnecting the spindles, and said opening spindle being settable
by an electric control through the mechanism in a drive link engagement with the turn
spindle rotatable by means of the handle element, such that a rotation of the opening
spindle translates into a rotational motion of the turn spindle as well.
[0002] One problem relevant to home care of the elderly involves the distribution and management
of a sufficiently large number of keys. In the case of electrically controlled locks,
this problem has been overcome by recent systems, enabling the opening of locks with
a mobile communicator which transmits to a server of the control center a request
to open a specific door and, after checking the user record for the rights of a requesting
party, the server supplies the mobile communicator with necessary data to open the
requested door. However, such a system cannot be used in connection with exclusively
key-operated locks.
[0003] A lock accessory of the above mentioned type is known from the patent publication
SE 529017 C2. The lever mechanism of this SE publication is only apt for use in a type of locks
which are provided with a lever or handle external of the door, thus requiring merely
a drive link engagement between a spindle of the door lever or handle and a spindle
of the door knob. Such a drive link engagement is implemented in the cited SE publication
by means of a solenoid-controlled lever mechanism. These prior known electric locks
include solenoid-driven levers, bringing the lock to an opening position as the solenoid
receives a current. The solenoid's power consumption is of such a magnitude that the
excessively frequent need of replacing the batteries makes this accessory impractical.
Also, the complicated lever system and the necessity of using two solenoids make the
accessory expensive. A mains-current operated version of the accessory is not practical
in terms of installation engineering and for many other reasons. However, there would
also be a demand for a type of electric locks with a consumption of power low enough
for sustaining the same in a battery-operated version for several years without a
battery replacement. In order to achieve this objective, the unlocking must not be
based on a solenoid-operated active application of force. An insight in the invention
is that, as the opening function is based on the use of a piezoelectric or corresponding
low energy actuator for disabling a movement of the bolt, the consumption of energy
is extremely slight.
[0004] An object of the invention is to solve the problem of how to conveniently convert
a key-operated lock, into an electrically operated lock.
[0005] An additional object of the invention is to provide a battery-operated lock accessory,
whereby a key-operated lock is convertible readily and at low cost into an electrically
operated lock, whose energy consumption is extremely slight.
[0006] This object is achieved by the invention on the basis of the characterizing features
presented in the appended claim 1.
[0007] Preferred embodiments of the invention are presented in the dependent claims, which
also disclose preferred embodiments of the additional object.
[0008] One exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described more closely with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Fig. 1
- shows a door-mounted accessory of the invention in a cross- sectional side view, and
- Fig. 2
- shows an accessory of the invention in an axonometric exploded view, and
- Fig. 3
- shows schematically the use of an accessory of the invention and the control of an
actuator 10.
[0009] The lock, in which the invention is applied, includes a turn spindle 3 rotatable
with a handle element such as a door knob 3a, the door knob being set inside a door
1. Outside the door 1 is a key cylinder 2, which is normally used for opening the
door 1 with a key. The key cylinder is circular in cross-section.
[0010] In the embodiment of figs. 1 and 2, the accessory of the invention comprises an opening
ring, represented by reference numeral 5. The opening ring 5 is preferably an annular
element, comprising a circular wall which can be placed around the key cylinder 2.
The opening ring 5 is adapted to be rotatable around the key cylinder 2. The circular
wall has its inner surface provided with an internal serration 5a. The opening ring
5 is preferably locked immovably in the direction of its rotation axis by means of
a ring lock 7. The ring lock 7 prevents movement of the opening ring 5 and its disengagement
from around the key cylinder 2.
[0011] Between an outer surface of the key cylinder 2 and the internal serration 5a is left
an annular void space. Into the space, especially into a section above the key cylinder,
has been passed a first end 4a of an elongated opening spindle 4. It should be noted
here that a second end 4c of the opening spindle 4 is adapted to extend into the interior
of a housing 6 mounted inside the door. The opening spindle 4 is adapted to spin around
its longitudinal axis A as described hereinafter.
[0012] The opening spindle 4 has its first end 4a provided with a gear 4b, spinning jointly
with the spindle 4 around the axis A of the spindle 4. Thus, the gear 4b is meshed
with the serration 5a of the opening ring 5, such that, as the opening ring is turned,
the opening spindle 4 rotates around its axis A.
[0013] The opening spindle 4 has its second end 4c in engagement with a mechanism 40, 41,
disposed inside the housing 6 and interlinking the spindles 3 and 4. Next described
is one preferred configuration of the mechanism 40, 41.
[0014] Thus, the mechanism 40, 41 is accommodated in the housing 6 which consists of a bottom
plate 6a and a cover element 6b, which latter can be fixed to the bottom plate 6a
preferably in a removable fashion. The housing 6 has its walls defining a space, into
which the second end 4c of the opening spindle 4 extends at a distance above the turn
spindle 3, which can be rotated by the door knob 3a or a lever shaped doorhandle.
[0015] Around the second end 4c of the opening spindle 4 is disposed a first segment 40
of the mechanism, which constitutes a coupling element. In this embodiment, the coupling
element is a planetary gearset. In this case, the planetary gearset 40 is made up
of gears 40a, 40d and 40e. Of these, the gear 40d is adapted to spin with the second
end 4c of the opening spindle 4 around the axis A, and constitutes a so-called sun
gear. Adapted to be rotatable around the axis A is a second gear 40a, which is larger
in diameter than the gear 40d and constitutes a so-called ring gear. In the direction
of the axis A, the ring gear 40a lies on the same plane as the sun gear 40d. Consequently,
the sun gear 40d is left within a space defined by an inner wall 40b of the ring constituting
the second gear, i.e. the ring gear 40a.
[0016] The ring gear 40a comprises a planet flange 40c, providing a wall for the gear 40a.
The wall 40c is located adjacent to the bottom plate 6a of the housing 6, in its immediate
proximity. Between the inner surface 40b of the ring gear 40a and the plane extending
by the outer serration crests of the sun gear 40d is left an annular space, in which
is disposed a planetary gearset. In this case, the planetary gearset consists of three
gears 40e, whose rotating axles are set in connection with the planet flange 40c codirectionally
with the rotation axis A of the sun gear 40d. In addition, these rotating axles are
spinning (as the planet flange 40c is rotating) around the axis A along a circular
orbit and are disposed around the axis A at equidistant circumferential intervals
(the radial distance is 120 degrees). The planet gears 40e have their serrations meshed
with those of the sun gear 40d.
[0017] Furthermore, between the plane extending by the outer serration crests of the planet
gears 40e and the inner surface 40b of the ring gear 40a is left an annular space,
which is used for passing a transmission element 41 of the mechanism 40, 41 to the
engagement with the planetary gearset 40. For this purpose, the transmission element
41 is provided with a gear 41a, which is provided with an internal serration 41c and
which can be passed to the engagement with the planetary gearset 40 in the direction
indicated by an arrow B. This gear 41a rotates around the same rotation axis A as
the sun gear 40d and is bearing-mounted around the second end 4c of the opening spindle
4 for free rotation. Hence, the transmission element 41 has its internal serration
41c meshed with those of the planet gears 40e.
[0018] The transmission element 41 comprises pulleys 41d and 41f adapted to be rotatable
therewith. Of these, the first pulley 41d co-rotates with the gear 41a, and the second
pulley 41f rotates through the intermediary of a belt 41e as the first pulley 41d
rotates. The first pulley 41d is coupled to rotate by turning the opening ring 5 as
discussed hereinbelow.
[0019] It can be seen from fig. 2 that the second pulley 41f is disposed in the engagement
with the turn spindle 3 (shown with dashed lines) of the door knob 3a, more specifically
in such a way that the turn spindle 3 coincides with the rotation axis of the pulley
41f. The engagement is such that, when the second pulley 41f rotates, the turn spindle
3 of the door knob 3a is also rotating, and so is thereby also the door knob 3a. For
this purpose, the turn spindle 3 has been passed through the pulley 41f, such that
the turn spindle 3 and the pulley 41f have a common rotation axis. It should be noted
here that the pulleys may be of equal or unequal in terms of their diameters, whereby
the gear ratio of the pulleys 41d and 41f changes in compliance with the ratio of
diameters according to per se known principles.
[0020] Further in connection with the ring gear 40a is disposed an actuator 10 operating
on electric control. The components essential for the operation of the actuator 10
are illustrated schematically in fig. 3. After receiving an electrical control, the
actuator 10 disables rotation of the ring gear 40a around the axis A. At the same
time, the planetary gearset 40e is prevented from rotating around the axis A. The
actuator 10 receives a control command from the electronic circuit of a control unit
12, and the electric control from the control unit 12 to the actuator 10 is transmitted
over a cable 13.
[0021] The actuator 10 includes a piezoelectric element 14 which, after receiving an electrical
control, provides for the locking of a bolt or plunger 10a in the engagement with
the serration of the ring gear 40e, thus disabling a rotational motion of the ring
gear 40a. At the same time, the motion of the planet flange 40c, and that of the axles
of the planetary gearset 40e connected therewith, around the rotation axis A is disabled.
Thus, the bolt or plunger 10a can be locked by means of the piezoelectric element
14 for opening the door. Hence, a stopper means 15 of the piezoelectric element 14,
for example a small tab 15, is passed by a small displacement into a detent 16 present
in the bolt or plunger 10a in coincidence with the tab 15. In connection with the
bolt or plunger 10a is disposed a spring 17 or some other power unit, which allows,
without electrical control, a displacement of the bolt or plunger 10a against the
spring force while the bolt or plunger 10a is pressed back and forth against the spring
force by the rotating ring gear 40a with its guide surfaces made up by serrations.
The planet gears 40e roll along the ring gear 41c, thus failing to transmit a torque
for rotating the gear 41a. In other words, without an electrical control of the piezoelectric
actuator 10, said bolt or plunger 10a, as it yields to a weak return force of the
spring 17 or some other power unit, is adapted to disable or not to activate a coupling
of the drive link engagement as the opening spindle 4 is rotated.
[0022] Next described is the operation of an accessory of the above configuration with the
actuator 10 in various control modes (without and with electrical control).
[0023] When the actuator 10 has not been supplied with electrical control, the sun gear
40d is rotated by a spinning motion of the opening spindle 4 around the axis A. At
the same time, the planet gears 40e orbit around the axis A while rotating around
their own rotation axes along the serration of the sun gear 40d. At the same time,
the ring gear 40a is rotating around the axis A. Thus, the transmission element 41a
remains stationary, because the planet gears 40e have their pinions, which rotate
freely on their axles, rolling freely along the internal serration 41c of the transmission
element 41a, and the rotating force is not translated to the transmission element
41 but, by way of the planet flange 40c, to the ring gear 40a. Consequently, the door
does not open as the opening ring 5 is turned from outside the door.
[0024] When the actuator 10 has been supplied with electrical control, the ring gear 40a
is locked in place (i.e. the ring gear 40a does not rotate around the axis A while
the sun gear 40d is rotating). Because the planet gears 40e are provided on the planet
flange 40c, the rotating axes of the planet gears 40a remain stationary, i.e. they
do not orbit around the axis A, and the planet gears 40e rotate around their own axes.
As a consequence, the force rotating the planetary gearset transmits to the first
pulley 41d of the transmission element 41 through the intermediary of the internal
serration 41c. Thereby, the transmission pulley 41d is rotating and so is also the
second pulley 41f through the intermediary of the belt 41e. As a result, the turn
spindle 3 of the door knob 3a turns and the door opens as the turn spindle 3 has turned
to a sufficient extent.
[0025] First and foremost, the planetary gearset 40 transmits a force from the opening spindle
4 to the turn spindle 3, but the gearset functions also as a transmission ratio variator
between the spindles 3 and 4 as the planet gears 40e change the angular speed between
the internal serrations of the sun gear 40d and the transmission element 41a and,
thus, the first pulley 41d as well. Because the first pulley 41d and the second pulley
41f of the transmission element 41 can be implemented, if desired, to have such diameters
that the transmission ratio changes in a per se known manner, the door-opening turning
motion of the opening ring 5 can be made optimal in terms of its turning angle and/or
turning force. For example, the ratio between the respective turning angles of the
spindles 3 and 4 can be set at 1:1, whereby the opening spindle 4 is rotated, for
opening the door, practically with the same force and over the same radial distance
as those used for turning the door knob 3a from inside. Or, for example, the respective
ratio between turning angles can be 1:2, whereby the opening spindle 4 is turned,
for opening the door, over a double radial distance but with a lesser force. Hence,
these are merely examples of ratios for the turning angles of the spindles 3 and 4.
[0026] The piezoelectric actuator 10 has a working time which only enables opening of the
lock with the opening ring 5 for just a specific time span, which has been set in
the electric control unit 12. This control unit 12 receives its operating power from
a battery 11 and functions only when a server 18 of the service provider has delivered
an access right message to a specified mobile communicator 19, which can carry a list
of addresses for doors whose opening authorization can be requested therefrom.
[0027] The accessory's electric control unit 12, or the mobile communicator 19 controlling
the same, can be adapted to emit an audio signal as soon as the electric control has
coupled a drive link between the spindles 3 and 4. At this point, the user knows that
the lock is openable by turning the opening ring 5 associated with the opening spindle
4.
[0028] The accessory according to the invention is thus located inside a door, while the
opening ring 5 associated with the opening spindle lies outside the door. This means
that, in a locked condition of the lock, the opening ring 5, the opening spindle 4
and the ring gear 40a in engagement therewith conduct a dead travel (no transmission
to the coupling element 41) unless the accessory's mechanical drive link engagement
has been coupled by means of electrical control.
[0029] The accessory may also include a micro switch 8 capable of switching the accessory's
electric control unit 12 to a standby mode as the bolt or plunger 10a travels back
and forth in response to a rotational motion of the opening ring 5. The arrangement
provides a considerable saving for the battery 11 because the accessory can now be
in a totally power non-consuming state except for when opening of the lock is desired.
In this case, it is first necessary to perform an activation twirl with the opening
ring 5 and only then to communicate a control message from the mobile communicator
19 to the control unit 12. This communication may function by using any short range
communication link.
[0030] The accessory of the invention can be used, for instance, to change an ordinary Abloy
lock into an electrically controlled lock. It is economical and quick to install and
can be removed without leaving marks on the door.
[0031] The invention is not limited to the above exemplary embodiment, but a mechanical
drive engagement can be implemented by a skilled artisan by using various combinations
of pinions and transmission gears.
1. A lock accessory, whereby a key-operated lock is convertible into an electrically
operated lock, the lock comprising a rotatable opening spindle (4) and a turn spindle
(3) rotatable with a handle element (3a), the accessory comprising a housing (6) mountable
on the surface of a door (1), into which said spindles (3, 4) extend and which contains
a mechanism (40, 41) interconnecting the spindles (3, 4), and said opening spindle
(4) being settable by an electric control (10, 11, 12) through the mechanism (40,
41) in a drive link engagement with the turn spindle (3) rotatable by means of the
handle element (3a), such that a rotation of the opening spindle (4) translates into
a rotational motion of the turn spindle (3) as well, characterized in that the opening spindle (4) is in its rotation-effecting engagement with an opening ring
(5), which is rotatable manually from outside the door (1) and which encircles a key
cylinder (2) or a key cylinder extension (2).
2. A lock accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that the accessory comprises a piezoelectric actuator (10) which is adapted, in a mode
activated by the electric control (10, 11, 12, 19), to lock in place a bolt or plunger
(10a) which in its immovably locked condition couples said drive link engagement upon
turning the opening spindle (4), and that, without an electrical control of the piezoelectric
actuator (10), said bolt or plunger (10a) is adapted, as it yields to the weak resetting
force of a spring (17) or some other force device, to disable or not to activate a
coupling of the drive link engagement upon turning the opening spindle (4).
3. A lock accessory according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the interconnecting mechanism (40, 41) comprises a coupling element (40) and a transmission
element (41).
4. An accessory according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the mechanism (40, 41) is formed with a guide surface (40a), under whose guidance
said bolt or plunger (10a) moves back and forth against the force of the spring (17)
in response to a turning motion of the opening spindle (4) as the piezoelectric actuator
is disengaged from the electrical control.
5. An accessory according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that a control unit (12) for the accessory, or a mobile communicator (19) controlling
the same, is adapted to emit an audio signal as soon as the electrical control has
coupled the drive link engagement between the spindles (3, 4).
6. An accessory according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the accessory is located inside a door and the opening ring (5) associated with the
opening spindle (4) lies outside the door, whereby the opening ring (5) and the opening
spindle (4) are rotating idly or freely unless said mechanical drive link engagement
(40, 41) has been coupled by the electrical control (10,11,12,19).