A DOOR LOCK LOCKABLE BY AN ELECTRICALLY ACTUATED LOCKING MECHANISM

Abstract

 A door lock comprising a locking mechanism (2) for locking a handle shaft follower (18), said locking mechanism comprising: a pivot shaft (3) mounted on a frame (1) and extending in a direction of a pivoting axis, a rocker (4) substantially made of magnetically soft material extending between a first end (5) and a second end (6), wherein the rocker is pivotally supported by the pivot shaft (3) such as to allow, a rotation of the rocker (4) around the pivoting axis between on the one hand a first position wherein a blocking element (7) blocks the rotation of the handle shaft follower (18) and on the other hand a second position wherein the handle shaft follower is unlocked; and an electrical actuating assembly mounted on the frame (1) for moving said rocker between its first and second positions, wherein the pivot shaft (3) supports the rocker (4) at a position between the first end (5) and the second end (6) of the rocker (4) such as to form a seesaw having a first section extending between the first end (5) of the rocker (4) and the pivot shaft (3), and a second section extending between the second end (6) of the rocker (4) and the pivot shaft (3), wherein the electrical actuating assembly together with the rocker (4) forms a bi-stable switch.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a door lock lockable by an electrically actuated locking mechanism, as well as to a use of such a door lock.

Background-

[0002] The present invention in particular relates to a door lock for locking a door, the door lock comprising
a locking mechanism, which locking mechanism is arranged to be brought in two states, namely in a locking state wherein door lock is arranged to lock the door and in an unlocking state wherein the door lock is arranged to unlock the door. The locking mechanism comprises a pivot shaft extending in a direction of a pivoting axis, a rocker substantially made of magnetically soft material extending between a first end and a second end and provided with a blocking element at its first end, wherein the rocker is pivotally supported by the pivot shaft such as to allow a rotation of the rocker around the pivoting axis between on the one hand a first position wherein the blocking element is arranged to lock the door, and on the other hand a second position wherein the blocking element 7 is arranged to unlock the door, and an electrical actuating assembly for moving said rocker between its first and second positions.

[0003] A door lock of the type defined above is disclosed in patent publication EP1526235. The door lock disclosed in said publication in particular comprises a rocker that is pivotally supported by the pivot shaft at its second end. A spring is provided in order to bias the rocker in its first position, i.e. to bias the locking mechanism towards the locking state. The electrical actuating assembly comprises an electromagnet provided under the rocker. In order to move the rocker from its first position towards its second position i.e. in order to bring the locking mechanism towards the unlocking state, the electromagnet is energized such that the magnetic attraction of the rocker towards the electromagnet overcomes the force of the spring. In order to maintain the rocker in the second position, i.e. in orderto maintain the locking mechanism in the unlocking state, the electromagnet needs to remain energized. The door lock disclosed in said patent publication thus has the disadvantage that energy consumption is high, i.e. that the electromagnet needs to remain energized in order to maintain the locking mechanism in the unlocking state. This has as a pejorative consequence that the energy sources provided in the door lock require rapid replacement, or that the door lock must be energized through the electrical net.

Description of the invention

[0004] The door lock of the present invention overcomes the problem encountered in the door lock of the prior art. Therefore, the present invention provides a door lock for locking a door as described in the first claim. The door lock of the present invention comprises:
a locking mechanism, which locking mechanism is arranged to be brought in two states, namely in a locking state wherein door lock is arranged to lock the door and in an unlocking state wherein door lock is arranged to unlock the door, i.e. not to lock the door. The locking door lock preferably also comprises a frame.

[0005] The locking mechanism comprises a pivot shaft, preferably mounted on the frame and, extending in a direction of a pivoting axis. The locking mechanism further comprises a rocker substantially made of magnetically soft material, i.e. easily magnetizeable and demagnetizeable ferromagnetic material as opposed to magnetically hard material of which permanent magnets are made. The rocker extends between a first end and a second end, i.e. the rocker has an elongated shape along a length direction and is delimited in said length direction by the first and second ends. Preferably, the rocker is a plate having a longest dimension in the length direction of the plate and a shortest dimension in the thickness direction of the plate. The rocker might be flat plate shaped, but preferably at least one side surface of the plate is bended such as to have a V-shape as will be explained below. The rocker is provided with a blocking element at its first end. The rocker is pivotally supported by the pivot shaft such as to allow a rotation of the rocker around the pivoting axis between on the one hand a first position wherein the blocking element is arranged to lock the door, and on the other hand a second position wherein the blocking element is arranged to unlock the door, i.e. to not lock the door. The locking mechanism further comprises an actuating assembly, preferably mounted on the frame, for moving said rocker between its first and second positions. According to the present invention, the pivot shaft supports the rocker at a position between the first end and the second end of the rocker such as to form a seesaw having a first section extending between the first end of the rocker and the pivot shaft, and a second section extending between the second end of the rocker and the pivot shaft. In other words, the rocker is not supported by the pivot shaft at its second end as is the case in the prior art. The first and second sections are distinct from each other. The rocker is preferably a plate which has at least one side surface that is bended such as to have a V-shape wherein the pivot shaft supports the rocker at the apex of the V-shape. The first section and the second section thereby form the legs of the V-shape. According to the present invention, the actuating assembly comprises a first magnetic half-circuit providing a magnetically conductive path, i.e. a path of low magnetic reluctance for example not interrupted by airgaps, between a first outer pillar and a first inner pillar, in particular between the free ends of these pillars. The first inner pillar lies closer to the pivot shaft than does the first outer pillar. The first outer pillar and the first inner pillar, in particular the free ends of these pillars, are arranged to lie adjacent to the first section of the rocker when the rocker is in the second position such that the first magnetic half circuit forms a first closed magnetic circuit, i.e. a circuit of low magnetic reluctance for example only minimally interrupted by airgaps, in combination with the first section of the rocker when the rocker is in the second position. Preferably, the first magnetic half circuit is substantially U-shaped, wherein the first inner and first outer pillar form the upward legs of the U-shape. The first magnetic half-circuit comprises first magnetic conductors of soft magnetic material, a first permanent magnet arranged to impart opposing magnetic polarities (i.e. magnetic north vs. magnetic south or vice versa) of a given strength (i.e. of a given number of Tesla) on the first inner pillar and the first outer pillar, in particular on the free ends of these pillars. The first magnetic half circuit further comprises a first electromagnet provided on a section of the first magnetic conductors. The first electromagnet is arranged to reinforce or reduce the strength of the magnetic polarity imparted by the first permanent magnet on the first inner pillar and outer pillar, in particular on the free ends of these pillars, i.e. the first electromagnet is arranged to respectively increase or decrease the amount of tesla on the first inner and first outer pillar, in particular on the free ends of these pillars. Providing the electromagnet on a section of the first magnetic conductors of soft magnetic material, instead of on non-ferromagnetic material or on hard magnetic material, ensures that the electromagnets can easily control the magnetic field throughout the first magnetic half-circuit. The first magnetic half circuit is arranged to hold, by means of the first permanent magnet, the rocker in the second position after the rocker has been moved to the second position and whilst the first electromagnet (and optionally the second electromagnet as described below) is not energized. The first magnetic half-circuit holds the rocker by means of the magnetic attraction of the first section of the rocker to the first magnetic half circuit, because the rocker has the tendency to maintain the low permeability of the first closed magnetic circuit, i.e. the substantive absence of air gaps in said circuit, such as to contain the magnetic field of the first permanent magnet in said first closed magnetic circuit. The door lock of the present invention thus enables to maintain the locking mechanism in the unlocking state without energizing the electromagnet(s). The actuating assembly further comprises a second magnetic half-circuit providing a magnetically conductive path, i.e. a path of low magnetic reluctance for example not interrupted by airgaps, between a second outer pillar and a second inner pillar, in particular between the free ends of these pillars. The second inner pillar lies closer to the pivot shaft than does the second outer pillar. The second outer pillar and the second inner pillar, in particular the free ends of these pillars, are arranged to lie adjacent to the second section of the rocker when the rocker is in the first position such that the second magnetic half circuit forms a second closed magnetic circuit, i.e. a circuit of low magnetic reluctance for example only minimally interrupted by airgaps, in combination with the second section of the rocker when the rocker is in the first position. Preferably, the second magnetic half circuit is substantially U-shaped, wherein the second inner and second outer pillars form the upward legs of the U-shape. The second magnetic half-circuit comprises second magnetic conductors of soft magnetic material, a second permanent magnet arranged to impart opposing magnetic polarities (i.e. magnetic north vs. magnetic south or vice versa) of a given strength (i.e. of a given number of Tesla) on the second inner pillar and the second outer pillar, in particular on the free ends of these pillars. The second magnetic half-circuit further comprises a second electromagnet provided on a section of the second magnetic conductors. The second electromagnet is arranged to reinforce or reduce the strength of the magnetic polarity imparted by the second permanent magnet on the second inner pillar and second outer pillar, in particular on the free ends of these pillars i.e. the second electromagnet is arranged to respectively increase or decrease the amount of tesla on the second inner and second outer pillar, in particular on the free ends of these pillars. Providing the electromagnet on a section of the second magnetic conductors of soft magnetic material, instead of on non-ferromagnetic material or on hard magnetic material, ensures that the electromagnets can easily control the magnetic field throughout the second magnetic half-circuit. The second magnetic half circuit is arranged to hold, by means of the second permanent magnet, the rocker in the first position after the rocker has been moved to the first position and whilst the second electromagnet (and optionally the first electromagnet as described above) is not energized. The second magnetic half-circuit holds the rocker by means of the magnetic attraction of the second section of the rocker to the second magnetic half circuit, because the rocker has the tendency to maintain the low permeability of the second closed magnetic circuit, i.e. the substantive absence of air gaps in said circuit, such as to contain the magnetic field of the second permanent magnet in said second closed magnetic circuit. The door lock of the present invention thus enables to maintain the locking mechanism in the locking state without energizing the electromagnet(s). According to the present invention, the rocker is arranged to be moved from the first position to the second position by energizing the first electromagnet such as to reinforce the strength of the magnetic polarities imparted by the first permanent magnet on the first inner and outer pillars, in particular on the free ends of these pillars (i.e. to increase the amount of Tesla on the first inner and outer pillars, in particular on the free ends of these pillars), and wherein the rocker is furthermore arranged to be moved from the second position to the first position by energizing the first electromagnet such as to reduce the strength of the magnetic polarities imparted by the first permanent magnet on the first inner and outer pillars, in particular on the free ends of these pillars (i.e. to decrease the amount of Tesla on the first inner and outer pillars, in particular on the free ends of these pillars). Upon reducing the strength of the magnetic polarity on one of the magnetic half circuits, the rocker can be easily attracted to the other one of the magnetic half circuits, for example by the attraction of the permanent magnet in the other one of the magnetic half circuits or for example by reinforcing, with the electromagnet of the other one of the magnetic half circuits, the strength of the magnetic polarity imparted by the permanent magnet of the other one of the magnetic half circuits onto the inner and outer pillars of the other one of the magnetic half circuits, in particular on the free ends of these pillars. The door lock of the present invention thus enables to switch the locking mechanism between the locking state and the unlocking state by merely briefly energizing one or both of the electromagnets, and to subsequently hold the locking mechanism in the locking state or unlocking state by means of permanent magnets. The door lock of the present invention could be referred to as a door lock which is lockable by an electrically actuated bi-stable locking mechanism. According to the present invention, the first and second electromagnet are separate electronic circuits. This embodiments clarifies that the first electromagnet is distinct from the second electromagnet such that the strength of the magnetic polarity in the first and second magnetic half circuits can be independently controlled by means of respectively the first and second electromagnet. According to the present invention, the first and second magnetic half circuits are magnetically isolated from each other. Preferably this means that the first and second magnetic half circuits are separated from each other by a non-ferromagnetic material. This magnetic isolation preferably implies that the first outer pillar is distinct from the second outer pillar, that the first inner pillar is distinct from the second inner pillar, that the first magnetic conductors are not integrally connected to the second magnetic conductors, and that the first permanent magnet is distinct from the second permanent magnet. Providing magnetically isolated first and second magnetic half circuits has the advantage that the magnetic flux in the first magnetic half circuit does not disturb the magnetic flux in the second magnetic half circuit thereby improving the independent control of the repulsion and attraction of the rocker to the first or second magnetic half circuit.

[0006] According to the present invention, the term "door" not only refers to doors in walls, but also to other similar structures that close of an area such as gates in fences or windows in walls.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the door lock further comprises

• a frame;
• a latch bolt movably mounted on the frame between a locking and an unlocking position;
• a handle shaft follower arranged to be actuated by a user of the door lock;
• a mechanism for actuating the latch bolt upon actuation of the handle shaft follower to move the latch bolt from its locking to its unlocking position when the handle shaft follower is actuated;

[0008] According to the embodiment, the locking mechanism is arranged for locking the latch bolt either directly or by locking the handle shaft follower.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the latch bolt is movably mounted on the frame between the locking and the unlocking position by means of at least one handle i.e. the latch bolt is movable by moving at least one handle. To that end, the handle shaft follower comprises a handle shaft channel extending along an axis in a longitudinal direction. The handle shaft channel is arranged for receiving a handle shaft for said handle. The handle shaft follower is pivotally mounted on the frame around its axis in the longitudinal direction between a first and a second angular position, such that in use the handle shaft follower rotates between the first and the second angular position upon rotation of the handle shaft between the first and the second angular position. According to the embodiment, the mechanism for actuating the latch bolt, is a mechanism for actuating the latch bolt upon rotation of the handle shaft follower to move the latch bolt from its locking to its unlocking position when the handle shaft follower is rotated from its first angular position to its second angular position and to move the latch bolt from its unlocking to its locking position when the handle shaft follower is rotated from its second angular position to its first angular position. According to a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism is arranged for locking the handle shaft follower instead of directly locking the latch bolt. In this preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism is arranged to be brought in two states, namely in the locking state wherein the handle shaft follower is locked in its first angular position and in the unlocking state wherein the handle shaft follower is unlocked. According to the preferred embodiment, the rocker is pivotally supported by the pivot shaft such as to allow, in the first angular position of the handle shaft follower, a rotation of the rocker around the pivoting axis between on the one hand the first position wherein the blocking element blocks the rotation of the handle shaft follower around its longitudinal axis, for example by coming in the movement path of a lever attached to the handle shaft follower, such as to lock the handle shaft follower in its first angular position, and on the other hand the second position wherein the handle shaft follower is unlocked. The blocking element is preferably an element configured for blocking the rotation of the handle shaft follower, for example the blocking element is a part of the plate of the rocker which comes in the movement path of the handle shaft follower or of a lever attached to the handle shaft follower.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism comprises a locking lever which is fixed to the handle shaft follower so that it rotates together with the handle shaft follower about the longitudinal axis thereof. Preferably, the blocking element is arranged to cooperate with the locking lever to lock the handle shaft follower in its first angular position, so that in the locking state of the locking mechanism, the locking lever is locked behind the blocking element whereas, in the unlocking state of the locking mechanism, the blocking element is shifted with respect to the locking lever so that the locking lever can pass the blocking element when the handle shaft follower moves between its first and second angular positions.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the channel of the handle shaft follower has a shape in a cross-section with a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, Preferably, the above mentioned shape of the handle shaft follower channel is non-circular, preferably rectangular. Preferably, the above mentioned shape substantially corresponds to the shape of the handle shaft taken in a cross-section with a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. This embodiment ensures that the rotation of the handle shaft, for example upon actuation of the handle, results in the rotation of the handle shaft follower. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the handle shaft is part of the lock, i.e. the handle shaft is inserted in the handle shaft channel of the handle shaft follower.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first and second permanent magnets are arranged to impart a similar magnetic polarity to the inner pillars, in particular on their free ends, and a similar magnetic polarity to the outer pillars, in particular on their free ends. The first and second permanent magnets for example impart a north pole onto the inner pillars, in particular on their free ends, and a south pole on the outer pillars, in particular on their free ends. This embodiment has the advantage that the magnetic flux leak between the first and second magnetic half circuits is reduced. Preferably, the strength of the imparted magnetic polarity by the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet respectively on the first magnetic half circuit and the second magnetic half circuit is substantially the same i.e. in both the first and second magnetic half circuits substantially the same amount of magnetic flux is generated. This embodiment has the advantage of creating a balanced system, thereby facilitating the control of the electromagnets such as to move the rocker.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rocker can be moved from the first position to the second position on the one hand by energizing the first electromagnet such as to reinforce the strength of the magnetic polarities imparted by the first permanent magnet on the first inner and outer pillars, in particular on the free ends of these pillars, and on the other hand by energizing the second electromagnet such as to reduce the magnetic polarities imparted by the second permanent magnet on the second inner and outer pillars, in particular on the free ends of these pillars, and wherein the rocker can be moved from the second position to the first position on the one hand by energizing the first electromagnet such as to reduce the magnetic polarities imparted by the first permanent magnet on the first inner and outer pillars, in particular on the free ends of these pillars, and on the other hand by energizing the second electromagnet such as reinforce the strength of the magnetic polarities imparted by the second permanent magnet on the second inner and outer pillars, in particular on the free ends of these pillars,. Preferably, the reinforcement of the strength of the magnetic polarities in the one magnetic half circuit and the simultaneous reduction of the strength of the magnetic polarities in the other magnetic half circuit is such that the rocker moves from the one position to the other with a minimum of required electrical energy. Preferably, the reduction of the strength of the magnetic polarities corresponds to substantially neutralizing the magnetic polarities imparted in the magnetic half circuit in question, in particular on the free ends of its pillars. In order to neutralize the magnetic polarities imparted on the inner and outer pillars, in particular on the free ends of these pillars, the electromagnet must be energized just enough to counter the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet is the magnetic half circuit in question (i.e. the first or second magnetic half circuit). It is important not to over-energize the electromagnet, as this would again impart a magnetic polarity onto the magnetic half circuit in question which would strongly attract the rocker to the magnetic half circuit in question due to the small gaps or the absence of gaps between the rocker and the magnetic half circuit in question.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first and second electromagnets are not both provided in their respective inner pillars. Preferably, none of the first and second electromagnet is provided in its respective inner pillar. Preferably, the first and second electromagnets are respectively provided in the first and second outer pillars. Not providing both the electromagnets on the inner pillars has the advantage that the bulky electromagnets do not hinder each other. Indeed, the electromagnets take up a lot of space, and placing them both next to each other, i.e. both on an inner pillar, increases the assembly complexity. Furthermore, when the inner pillars are positioned next to each other along the direction of the pivot axis as described below, placing both electromagnets on their respective inner pillar requires increasing the width of the rocker, thereby increasing the mass that has to be moved when moving the rocker, thereby increasing the required energy to operate the lock. Preferably, the first and second permanent magnets are respectively provided in the first and second inner pillars.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first inner pillar and the second inner pillar are provided adjacent to the pivot shaft, wherein preferably the first inner pillar and the second inner pillar are lined up along the pivoting axis.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, preferably in combination with the preceding paragraph, the distance between the first inner pillar and the first outer pillar is substantially equal to the distance between the second inner pillar and the second outer pillar. Preferably, the distance between the first inner pillar and the pivot shaft is substantially equal to the distance between the second inner pillar and the pivot shaft. This embodiment has the advantage of creating a balanced system, thereby facilitating the control of the electromagnets such as to move the rocker.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first outer pillar is arranged to lie adjacent to a contact point in the first section of the rocker when the rocker is in the second position, wherein the contact point is distinct from the first end of the rocker. This embodiment has the advantage to increase the lever distance of the blocking element to the pivot shaft thereby increasing the movement range of the blocking element.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pivoting axis lies substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle shaft follower i.e. of the handle shaft channel provided in the handle shaft follower. This embodiment has the advantage that vandals are less likely to make the rocker switch from the first position to the second position by hitting the fence gate on which the lock is provided or by manipulating the fence gate with an external magnet. After all, in practice, the longitudinal axis of the handle shaft follower, i.e. the axis of the handle shaft channel extending in the longitudinal direction, extends along the thickness direction of the fence gate as described above.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electrical actuating assembly comprises an energy source arranged to deliver electrical energy. The energy source preferably are batteries. Preferably, the electrical actuating assembly further comprises a controller arranged, upon instruction by a user of the door lock, to modulate the energy delivered by the energy source according to predetermined energization levels. Preferably, the predetermined energy level comprises a predetermined "release" level and optionally additionally a predetermined "attract" level (in embodiments where the electromagnet is arranged to reinforce the imparted strength of the magnetic polarity, as described above). The "release" level is preferably such as to reduce the strength of the magnetic polarity applied on the inner and outer pillar of the magnetic half circuit in question, in particular on the free ends of these pillars as described above, and the "attract " level is preferably such as to increase the strength of the magnetic polarity applied on the inner and outer pillar of the magnetic half circuit in question, in particular on the free ends of these pillars as described above. The controller is further arranged, upon instruction by a user of the door lock, to energize the first and second electromagnets with the modulated energy such as to move the rocker between its first and second positions as described above. This embodiment preferably entails to energize the second electromagnet with the "release" energy level and optionally to energize the first electromagnet with the "attract" energy level upon moving the rocker from the first position to the second position. This embodiment preferably entails to energize the first electromagnet with the "release" energy level and optionally to energize the second electromagnet with the "attract" energy level upon moving the rocker from the second position to the first position. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined energy levels are factory set and are optionally resettable by a set-point determination program as described below. The predetermined energization levels preferably correspond to predetermined voltage levels, i.e. to a predetermined "release" or "attract" voltage level to be applied to the first electromagnet and a predetermined "release" or "attract" voltage level to be applied to the second electromagnet.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electrical actuating assembly further comprises a sensor arranged to determine whether the rocker has flipped e.g. from the first position to the second position or vice versa, wherein the sensor is preferably a Hall sensor determining the proximity of the first or second end of the rocker. The controller is preferably further arranged to maintain the energization levels up to the earliest of the determination of the flipping of the rocker, e.g. from the first position to the second position or vice versa, by the sensor and the reaching of a predetermined time-out period. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller is further arranged to perform a set-point determination program in case the following situation occurs once or a predetermined amount of times: the time-out period is reached prior to the sensor determining that the rocker has flipped e.g. from the first position to the second position or vice versa. The set-point determination program preferably comprises the controller modulating the energy level delivered by the energy source in a sweeping manner and the controller setting the energization levels to the modulated energy levels at which the sensor determines that the rocker has flipped from the first position to the second position. Preferably, the set-point determination program comprises the controller modulating the "attract" energy level delivered by the energy source to the electromagnet intended to attract the rocker, in a sweeping manner whilst maintain the "release" energy level applied to the other electromagnet, and the controller setting the "attract" energization levels to the modulated energy levels at which the sensor determines that the rocker has flipped e.g. from the first position to the second position or vice versa. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller is further arranged to optimize the duration of providing the modulated energy level to the electromagnets, by reducing the time of energization up to such a duration that the rocker has sufficient impulse to flip to/from the first from/to the second position. Preferably, the controller optimizes the duration of energization after the sensor has reached the time-out period once or multiple times described above.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the frame of the door lock has mounted thereon a key actuator arranged to be actuated upon rotation of a pin of a key cylinder, and has mounted thereon a sensor assembly arranged to detect the actuation of the key actuator, and has mounted thereon a controller arranged to receive from the sensor assembly a signal indicating that the key actuator is being actuated. The controller is arranged to enable the setting of a new password, to be entered in at least one keypad for actuating the electrical lock, upon having received the signal from the sensor assembly during a predetermined amount of time. Preferably, the key actuator is actuated by being moved up by the rotation of the key pin in the key cylinder, i.e. by turning the key in the key cylinder. Preferably, the upward movement of the key actuator further actuates a key lever, by rotating the key lever such that the latch bolt moves from the locking to the unlocking position independent of the state of the locking mechanism. Preferably, the sensor assembly comprises a Hall sensor arranged to detect the position of the key actuator, thereby providing a signal to the controller upon sensing the upward position of the key actuator. Preferably, the sensor assembly comprises two Hall sensors such as to perform a differential measurement, thereby alleviating the risk of tempering with the sensors by vandals for example by using an external magnet. In particular, the differential sensor emits a signal to the controller if one of the two sensors, i.e. the one sensor that is placed adjacent to the position of the key actuator when the key actuator is in the upward position, measures the presence of the key actuator, whilst the other sensor does not sense such presence.

[0022] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new use of the door lock as described above. The use comprises, as described above, that, upon instruction by the user to unlock the latch bolt, the rocker is moved from the first position to the second position by energizing the second electromagnet such as to reduce the strength of the magnetic polarities imparted by the second permanent magnet on the second inner and outer pillars, in particular on the free ends of these pillars, and preferably additionally by energizing the first electromagnet such as to reinforce the strength of the magnetic polarities imparted by the first permanent magnet on the first inner and outer pillars, in particular on the free ends of these pillars. The use further comprises, as described above, that, upon instruction by the user to lock the latch bolt, the rocker is moved from the second position to the first position by energizing the first electromagnet such as to reduce the strength of the magnetic polarities imparted by the first permanent magnet on the first inner and outer pillars, in particular on the free ends of these pillars, and preferably additionally by energizing the second electromagnet such as reinforce the strength of the magnetic polarities imparted by the second permanent magnet on the second inner and outer pillars, in particular on the free ends of these pillars. The use further comprises, as described above, that the rocker is maintained in the first position without energizing the first and second electromagnet i.e. without needing to energize any of the first or the second electromagnet. This maintenance in the first position is due to the magnetic attraction of the second portion of the rocker to the second magnetic half-circuit. The use further comprises, as described above, that the rocker is maintained in the second position without energizing the first and second electromagnet, i.e. without needing to energize any of the first or the second electromagnet. This maintenance in the second position is due to the magnetic attraction of the first portion of the rocker to the first magnetic half-circuit.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the use comprises, as described above, that, upon instruction by the user to lock or unlock the latch bolt, the controller maintains the energization levels up to the earliest of the determination of the flipping of the rocker from the first position to the second position by the sensor and the reaching of the predetermined time-out period. The controller preferably performs, as described above, a set-point determination program in case the following situation occurs once or a predetermined amount of times: the time-out period is reached prior to the sensor determining that the rocker has flipped from the first position to the second position or vice versa. The set-point determination program preferably comprises, as described above, the controller modulating the energy level delivered by the energy source in a sweeping manner and the controller setting the energization levels to the modulated energy levels at which the sensor determines that the rocker has flipped from the first position to the second position or vice versa.

Figures

[0024] 

Figure 1 shows the inside of a lock according to an embodiment of the present invention, according to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the handle shaft follower, i.e. the thickness direction of the fence gate on which the lock is installed, wherein the locking mechanism is in the locking state.

Figure 2 shows the lock of figure 1 wherein the locking mechanism is in the unlocking state.

Figure 3 shows a modified version of the door lock shown in figure 1, wherein an additional handle shaft follower has been provided which additional handle shaft follower actuates the latch bolt independently of the state of the locking mechanism.

Figures 4-6 show in detail the locking mechanism shown in figures 1-3.

Figure 4 in particular shows the bottom of the locking mechanism, i.e. along a plane perpendicular to the door width direction.

Figure 5 in particular shows a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism along the cross-sectional plane indicated as BB in figure 3 viewed along the direction of the arrow.

Figure 6 in particular shows a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism along the cross-sectional plane indicated as AA in figure 3 viewed along the direction of the arrow.

Brief description of the figures

[0025] Reference is made to the figures 1-6. The door lock 1 is suitable for attachment to a turning fence gate (not shown). The attachment of the electrical lock 1 to the fence gate is done by providing two attachment bolts (not shown) which are connectable to a post of the fence gate. The electrical lock 1 comprises a frame comprising a base plate 23 and a side plate 24. The side plate 24 is substantially perpendicular to the base plate 23. The side plate 24 is arranged to lie adjacent to the post of the fence gate on which the electrical lock 1 is attached. The side plate 24 lies perpendicular to the door width direction, i.e. the direction along the width of the fence gate door. The base plate 23 lies perpendicular to the door thickness direction, i.e. the direction along the thickness of the fence gate door. The base plate 23 comprises a follower opening for receiving a handle shaft follower 18, as well as a keyhole opening 26. The side plate 24 comprises a latch bolt opening for receiving a latch bolt 19. The frame has mounted thereon the following elements:

• A latch bolt 19 extending along the door width direction through the latch bolt opening 40. In practice, the door width direction is the width direction of the fence gate on which the lock 1 is installed. The latch bolt 19 is movably mounted on the frame between a locking and an unlocking position by means of at least one handle (not shown), as is conventional in locks. The post of the fence gate comprises a channel extending in the door width direction, allowing the passage of the latch bolt 19, such that the latch bolt 5 can extend beyond the post of the fence gate and into an opening provided in the fence gate frame.
• A handle shaft follower 18 provided in the follower opening, the handle shaft follower comprising a handle shaft channel 27 extending along an axis in a longitudinal direction for receiving a handle shaft (not shown) for said handle. In practice, the longitudinal direction is the thickness direction of the fence gate on which the lock is installed. The handle shaft follower is pivotally mounted around its axis in the longitudinal direction on the frame between a first and a second angular position such that in use the handle shaft follower rotates between the first and the second angular position upon rotation of the handle shaft between the first and the second angular position, as is conventional in locks. The channel 27 of the handle shaft follower 18 has a shape in a cross-section with a plane perpendicular to the door thickness direction, which shape substantially corresponds to the shape of the handle shaft taken in a cross-section with a plane perpendicular to the door thickness direction. In particular, the above mentioned shape of the handle shaft follower channel 27 is rectangular. This ensures that the rotation of the handle shaft, for example upon actuation of the handle, results in the rotation of the handle shaft follower 18.
• A mechanism for actuating the latch bolt 19 upon rotation of the handle shaft follower 18 to move the latch bolt 19 from its locking to its unlocking position when the handle shaft follower 18 is rotated from its first angular position to its second angular position and to move the latch bolt 19 from its unlocking to its locking position when the handle shaft follower 18 is rotated from its second angular position to its first angular position. This mechanism comprises a lever (situated in Figures 1 to 3 behind the latch bolt) provided on the handle shaft follower 18 such as to follow the rotation of the handle shaft follower 18, which lever pulls the latch bolt 19 into the unlocking position upon rotation of the handle shaft follower 18, said pulling action countering the pushing action of a spring 29 which permanently pushed the latch bolt 19 to the locking position. To that end, the lever comes in contact with a setting screw 30 through the latch bolt 19. The position of the setting screw 30 in the latch bolt 19 can be adapted such as to increase or decrease the distance over which the latch bolt 19 extends from the side plate 24 of the frame, thereby allowing the lock 1 to be positioned on fence posts of different thicknesses.
• A second turn mechanism for actuating the latch bolt 19 upon turning a key in a key cylinder (not shown) provided in the keyhole opening. The second turn mechanism functions independently of the mechanism for actuating the latch bolt through the rotation of the handle shaft follower 18 as described above. The second turn mechanism comprises a key actuator 22 which is moved up or down in function of the rotation of the key in the key cylinder. The second turn mechanism further comprises a second turn lever 25 which is rotated in function of the up or down movement of the key actuator 22. The second turn lever 25 pulls the latch bolt 19 into the unlocking position upon moving the key actuator 22 upward, said pulling action countering the pushing action of the aforementioned spring 29 which permanently pushed the latch bolt 19 to the locking position. To that end, the second turn lever 25 comes in contact with the aforementioned setting screw 30 through the latch bolt 19. The lock further comprises a sensor assembly arranged to detect the position of the key actuator 22, i.e. arranged to detect if the key actuator has been moved up by the rotation of the key, and for how long it has been moved up. The sensor assembly for example comprises a Hall sensor enabling to detect the presence of a tracer component on the key actuator 22. Preferably, the sensor assembly comprises two Hall sensors such as to enable a differential sensing. The lock further comprises a controller arranged to receive information from the sensor assembly. Upon receiving information from the sensor assembly that the key actuator 22 has been moved up for a predetermined amount of time, i.e. longer than a predetermined threshold, the controller will activate a program enabling the reconfiguration of the code required to be entered in to the keypad (as visualized in figure 3 by element 46) for unlocking the lock.
• A locking mechanism 2 for locking the handle shaft follower 18, which locking mechanism is arranged to be brought in two states, namely in a locking state wherein the handle shaft follower 18 is locked in its first angular position and in an unlocking state wherein the handle shaft follower 18 is unlocked.

[0026] AThe lock also comprises an additional handle shaft follower 45.This additional handle shaft follower 45 is arranged to actuate the latch bolt independently of the state of the locking mechanism. Figure 3 furthermore shows a keypad 46, in which the user of the door lock has to enter a password in order to actuate the locking mechanism. Figure 3 furthermore shown the key cylinder 47 for receiving the key, and the pin 48 of the key cylinder 47.

[0027] The following description of the locking mechanism 2 is best visualized in figures 4-6. The locking mechanism 2 comprises a pivot shaft 3 mounted on the frame 1 and extending in a direction of a pivoting axis. The pivoting axis lies parallel to the longitudinal direction of the handle shaft channel 27. The locking mechanism 2 further comprises a rocker 4 substantially made of magnetically soft material, i.e. easily magnetizeable and demagnetizeable ferromagnetic material as opposed to magnetically hard material of which permanent magnets are made. The rocker 4 extends between a first end 5 and a second end 6, i.e. the rocker 4 has an elongated shape along a length direction and is delimited in said length direction by the first and second ends 5, 6. The rocker 4 is a plate having a longest dimension in the length direction of the plate and a shortest dimension in the thickness direction of the plate. The plate of the rocker 4 has at least one side surface which is bended such as to have a V-shape. The rocker 4 is pivotally supported by the pivot shaft 3 at the apex of the V-shape. The rocker 4 is provided with a blocking element 7 at its first end 5. The blocking element 7 is an element configured for blocking the rotation of the handle shaft follower 18, and is merely a part of the plate of the rocker 4 which comes in the movement path of a locking lever 28 attached to the handle shaft follower 18. The locking lever 28 is fixed to the handle shaft follower 18 so that it rotates together with the handle shaft follower 18 about the longitudinal axis thereof. The blocking element 7 is arranged to cooperate with the locking lever 28 to lock the handle shaft follower 18 in its first angular position, so that in the locking state of the locking mechanism 2, the locking lever 28 is locked behind the blocking element 7 whilst, in the unlocking state of the locking mechanism 2, the blocking element 7 is shifted with respect to the locking lever 28 so that the locking lever 28 can pass the blocking element 7 when the handle shaft follower 18 moves between its first and second angular positions. The rocker 4 is pivotally supported by the pivot shaft 3 such as to allow, in the first angular position of the handle shaft follower 18, a rotation of the rocker 4 around the pivoting axis between on the one hand a first position wherein the blocking element 7 blocks the rotation of the handle shaft follower 18 around its longitudinal axis by coming in the movement path of a locking lever 28 attached to the handle shaft follower 18, such as to lock the handle shaft follower 18 in its first angular position, and on the other hand a second position wherein the handle shaft follower 18 is unlocked. The locking mechanism 2 further comprises an actuating assembly mounted on the frame 1 for moving said rocker 4 between its first and second positions.

[0028] As described above, the pivot shaft 3 supports the rocker 4 at a position between the first end 5 and the second end 6 of the rocker 4, i.e. at the apex of the V-shaped surface which is directed towards the magnet, such as to form a seesaw having a first section extending between the first end 5 of the rocker 4 and the pivot shaft 3, and a second section extending between the second end 6 of the rocker 4 and the pivot shaft 3. The first section and the second section form the legs of the above mentioned V-shape. The actuating assembly comprises a first magnetic half-circuit 8 providing a magnetically conductive path, i.e. a path of low magnetic reluctance for example not interrupted by airgaps, between a first outer pillar 9 and a first inner pillar 10, in particular between the free end 91 of the first outer pillar 9 and the free end 101 of the first inner pillar. The first inner pillar 10 lies closer to the pivot shaft 3 than does the first outer pillar 9. The first outer pillar 9 and the first inner pillar 10, in particular their free ends 91, 101, are arranged to lie adjacent to the first section of the rocker 4 when the rocker 4 is in the second position such that the first magnetic half circuit forms a first closed magnetic circuit, i.e. a circuit of low magnetic reluctance for example only minimally interrupted by airgaps, in combination with the first section of the rocker 4 when the rocker is in the second position. The first magnetic half circuit 8 is substantially U-shaped, wherein the first inner and first outer pillar 9, 10 form the upward legs of the U-shape. The first magnetic half-circuit comprises first magnetic conductors of soft magnetic material 11a, 11b, 11c, a first permanent magnet 12 arranged to impart opposing magnetic polarities (i.e. magnetic north vs. magnetic south or vice versa) of a given strength (i.e. of a given number of Tesla) on the first inner pillar 9 and the first outer pillar 10, in particular on their free ends 91, 101, and a first electromagnet 13 provided on a section of the first magnetic conductors 11a. The first electromagnet 13 is arranged to reinforce or reduce the strength of the magnetic polarity imparted by the first permanent magnet 12 on the first inner pillar 10 and first outer pillar 9, in particular on their free ends 91, 101 i.e. the first electromagnet 13 is arranged to respectively increase or decrease the amount of tesla on the first inner and first outer pillar 9, 10. The first magnetic half circuit 8 is arranged to hold, by means of the first permanent magnet 12, the rocker 4 in the second position after the rocker 4 has been moved to the second position and whilst the first electromagnet 13 and the second electromagnet 20 (as described below) are not energized. The first magnetic half-circuit 8 holds the rocker 4 by means of the magnetic attraction of the first section of the rocker 4 to the first magnetic half circuit 8, because the rocker 4 has the tendency to maintain the low permeability of the first closed magnetic circuit, i.e. the substantive absence of air gaps in said circuit, such as to contain the magnetic field of the first permanent magnet in said first closed magnetic circuit. The actuating assembly further comprises a second magnetic half-circuit 14 providing a magnetically conductive path, i.e. a path of low magnetic reluctance for example not interrupted by airgaps, between a second outer pillar 15 and a second inner pillar 16, in particular between the free end 151 of the second outer pillar 15 and the free end 161 of the second inner pillar 16. The second inner pillar 16 lies closer to the pivot shaft 3 than does the second outer pillar 15. The second outer pillar 15 and the second inner pillar 16 are arranged to lie adjacent to the second section of the rocker 4 when the rocker 4 is in the first position such that the second magnetic half circuit 14 forms a second closed magnetic circuit, i.e. a circuit of low magnetic reluctance for example only minimally interrupted by airgaps, in combination with the second section of the rocker when the rocker is in the first position. The second magnetic half circuit 14 is substantially U-shaped, wherein the second inner and second outer pillars 15, 16 form the upward legs of the U-shape. The second magnetic half-circuit 14 comprises second magnetic conductors 17a, 17b, 17c of soft magnetic material, a second permanent magnet 21 arranged to impart opposing magnetic polarities (i.e. magnetic north vs. magnetic south or vice versa) of a given strength (i.e. of a given number of Tesla) on the second inner pillar 16 and the second outer pillar 15, in particular on their free ends 151, 161, and a second electromagnet 20 provided on a section of the second magnetic conductors 17a. The second electromagnet 20 is arranged to reinforce or reduce the strength of the magnetic polarity imparted by the second permanent magnet 21 on the second inner pillar 16 and second outer pillar 15, in particular on their free ends 151, 161 i.e. the second electromagnet is arranged to respectively increase or decrease the amount of tesla on the second inner and second outer pillar. The second magnetic half circuit 14 is arranged to hold, by means of the second permanent magnet 21, the rocker 4 in the first position after the rocker 4 has been moved to the first position and whilst the second electromagnet 20 and the first electromagnet 13 are not energized. The second magnetic half-circuit 14 holds the rocker 4 by means of the magnetic attraction of the second section of the rocker 4 to the second magnetic half circuit 14, because the rocker 4 has the tendency to maintain the low permeability of the second closed magnetic circuit, i.e. the substantive absence of air gaps in said circuit, such as to contain the magnetic field of the second permanent magnet in said second closed magnetic circuit.

[0029] The first electromagnet 13 is distinct from the second electromagnet 20 such that the strength of the magnetic polarity in the first and second magnetic half circuits 8, 14 can be independently controlled by means of respectively the first and second electromagnet 13, 20. The first and second magnetic half circuits 8, 14 are separated from each other by a non-ferromagnetic material, thereby providing magnetically isolated first and second magnetic half circuits 8, 14. The first and second permanent magnets 12, 21 are respectively provided in the first and second inner pillars 10, 16. The first and second electromagnets 13, 20 are respectively provided in the first and second outer pillars 9, 15. The first inner pillar 10 and the second inner pillar 16 are provided adjacent to the pivot shaft 3. As is particularly seen in figure 4, the first inner pillar 10 and the second inner pillar 16 are lined up along the pivoting axis. The distance between the first inner pillar 10 and the first outer pillar 9 is substantially equal to the distance between the second inner pillar 16 and the second outer pillar 15. The distance between the first inner pillar 10 and the pivot shaft 3 is substantially equal to the distance between the second inner pillar 16 and the pivot shaft 3. The first outer pillar 9 is arranged to lie adjacent to a contact point 31 in the first section of the rocker 4 when the rocker 4 is in the second position, wherein the contact point 31 is distinct from the first end 5 of the rocker 4.

Claims

1. A door lock for locking a door, the door lock comprising
a locking mechanism (2), which locking mechanism is arranged to be brought in two states, namely in a locking state wherein the door lock is arranged to lock the door and in an unlocking state wherein the door lock is arranged to unlock the door, said locking mechanism comprising:

• a pivot shaft (3) extending in a direction of a pivoting axis,

• a rocker (4) substantially made of magnetically soft material extending between a first end (5) and a second end (6) and provided with a blocking element (7) at its first end, wherein the rocker is pivotally supported by the pivot shaft (3) such as to allow a rotation of the rocker (4) around the pivoting axis between on the one hand a first position wherein the blocking element (7) is arranged to lock the door, and on the other hand a second position wherein the blocking element (7) is arranged to unlock the door; and

• an electrical actuating assembly for moving said rocker between its first and second positions,
characterized in that

• the pivot shaft (3) supports the rocker (4) at a position between the first end (5) and the second end (6) of the rocker (4) such as to form a seesaw having a first section extending between the first end (5) of the rocker (4) and the pivot shaft (3), and a second section extending between the second end (6) of the rocker (4) and the pivot shaft (3),

• the electrical actuating assembly comprises a first magnetic half-circuit (8) providing a magnetically conductive path between a first outer pillar (9) and a first inner pillar (10), wherein the first inner pillar (10) lies closer to the pivot shaft (3) than does the first outer pillar (9), and wherein the first outer pillar (9) and the first inner pillar (10) are arranged to lie adjacent to the first section of the rocker (4) when the rocker (4) is in the second position such that the first magnetic half circuit (8) forms a first closed magnetic circuit in combination with the first section of the rocker (4) when the rocker (4) is in the second position, wherein the first magnetic half-circuit (8) comprises first magnetic conductors (11a, 11b, 11c) of soft magnetic material, a first permanent magnet (12) arranged to impart opposing magnetic polarities of a given strength on the first inner pillar (10) and the first outer pillar (9), and a first electromagnet (13) provided on a section of the first magnetic conductors (11a), the first electromagnet (13) being arranged to reinforce or reduce the strength of the magnetic polarity imparted by the first permanent magnet (12) on the first inner pillar (10) and first outer pillar (9), and wherein the first magnetic half circuit (8) is arranged to hold, by means of the first permanent magnet (12), the rocker (4) in the second position after the rocker (4) has been moved to the second position and whilst the first electromagnet (13) is not energized,

• the actuating assembly further comprises a second magnetic half-circuit (14) providing a magnetically conductive path between a second outer pillar (15) and a second inner pillar (16), wherein the second inner pillar (16) lies closer to the pivot shaft (3) than does the second outer pillar (15), wherein the second outer pillar (15) and the second inner pillar (16) are arranged to lie adjacent to the second section of the rocker (4) when the rocker (4) is in the first position such that the second magnetic half circuit (14) forms a second closed magnetic circuit in combination with the second section of the rocker (4) when the rocker (4) is in the first position, wherein the second magnetic half-circuit (14) comprises second magnetic conductors (17a, 17b, 17c) of soft magnetic material, a second permanent magnet (21) arranged to impart opposing magnetic polarities of a given strength on the second inner pillar (16) and the second outer pillar (15), and a second electromagnet (20) provided on a section of the second magnetic conductors (17a), the second electromagnet (20) being arranged to reinforce or reduce the strength of the magnetic polarity imparted by the second permanent magnet (21) on the second inner pillar (16) and second outer pillar (15), and wherein the second magnetic half circuit (14) is arranged to hold, by means of the second permanent magnet (21), the rocker (4) in the first position after the rocker (4) has been moved to the first position and whilst the second electromagnet (20) is not energized, and

• wherein the rocker (4) is arranged to be moved from the first position to the second position by energizing the second electromagnet (20) such as to reduce the strength of the magnetic polarities imparted by the second permanent magnet (21) on the second inner and outer pillars (15, 16), and wherein the rocker (4) is furthermore arranged to be moved from the second position to the first position by energizing the first electromagnet (13) such as to reduce the strength of the magnetic polarities imparted by the first permanent magnet (12) on the first inner and outer pillars (9, 10), and

• wherein the first electromagnet (13) and the second electromagnet (20) are separate electronic circuits and wherein the first and second magnetic half circuits are magnetically isolated from each other.

2. The door lock according to the preceding claim, wherein the door lock further comprises

• a frame (1);

• a latch bolt (19) movably mounted on the frame (1) between a locking and an unlocking position;

• a handle shaft follower (18) arranged to be actuated by a user of the door lock;

• a mechanism for actuating the latch bolt (19) upon actuation of the handle shaft follower to move the latch bolt (19) from its locking to its unlocking position when the handle shaft follower (18); and

wherein the locking mechanism (2) is arranged for locking the latch bolt (19) either directly or by locking the handle shaft follower (18).

3. The door lock according to the preceding claim,

• wherein the latch bolt (19) is movably mounted on the frame (1) between the locking and the unlocking position by means of at least one handle,

• wherein the handle shaft follower (18) comprises a handle shaft channel extending along an axis in a longitudinal direction for receiving a handle shaft for said handle, the handle shaft follower (18) being pivotally mounted around its axis in the longitudinal direction on the frame between a first and a second angular position, such that in use the handle shaft follower (18) rotates between the first and the second angular position upon rotation of the handle shaft between the first and the second angular position, and

• wherein the mechanism for actuating the latch bolt (19), is a mechanism for actuating the latch bolt (19) upon rotation of the handle shaft follower (18) to move the latch bolt (19) from its locking to its unlocking position when the handle shaft follower (18) is rotated from its first angular position to its second angular position and to move the latch bolt (19) from its unlocking to its locking position when the handle shaft follower (18) is rotated from its second angular position to its first angular position; and

wherein the locking mechanism (2) is arranged for locking the handle shaft follower (18), which locking mechanism is arranged to be brought in two states, namely in the locking state wherein the handle shaft follower (18) is locked in its first angular position and in the unlocking state wherein the handle shaft follower (18) is unlocked, and
wherein the rocker is pivotally supported by the pivot shaft (3) such as to allow, in the first angular position of the handle shaft follower (18), a rotation of the rocker (4) around the pivoting axis between on the one hand the first position wherein the blocking element (7) blocks the rotation of the handle shaft follower (18) around its longitudinal axis such as to lock the handle shaft follower (18) in its first angular position, and on the other hand the second position wherein the handle shaft follower is unlocked.

4. The door lock assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and second permanent magnets are arranged to impart a similar magnetic polarity to the inner pillars and a similar magnetic polarity to the outer pillars, and wherein preferably the strength of the imparted magnetic polarity by the first permanent magnet and the second permanent magnet respectively on the first magnetic half circuit and the second magnetic half circuit is substantially the same.

5. The door lock according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rocker can be moved from the first position to the second position on the one hand by energizing the first electromagnet such as to reinforce the strength of the magnetic polarities imparted by the first permanent magnet on the first inner and outer pillars and on the other hand by energizing the second electromagnet such as to reduce the magnetic polarities imparted by the second permanent magnet on the second inner and outer pillars, and wherein the rocker can be moved from the second position to the first position on the one hand by energizing the first electromagnet such as to reduce the magnetic polarities imparted by the first permanent magnet on the first inner and outer pillars and on the other hand by energizing the second electromagnet such as reinforce the strength of the magnetic polarities imparted by the second permanent magnet on the second inner and outer pillars.

6. The door lock according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first and second electromagnets are respectively provided in the first and second outer pillars.

7. The door lock according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first inner pillar and the second inner pillar are provided adjacent to the pivot shaft, wherein preferably the first inner pillar and the second inner pillar are lined up along the pivoting axis.

8. The door lock according to any one of the preceding claims, preferably in combination with the preceding claim, wherein the distance between the first inner pillar and the first outer pillar is substantially equal to the distance between the second inner pillar and the second outer pillar, and wherein the distance between the first inner pillar and the pivot shaft is substantially equal to the distance between the second inner pillar and the pivot shaft.

9. The door lock according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the first outer pillar is arranged to lie adjacent to a contact point in the first section of the rocker when the rocker is in the second position, wherein the contact point is distinct from the first end of the rocker.

10. The door lock according to anyone of the preceding claims in combination with claim 3 wherein the pivoting axis lies substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle shaft follower (18).

11. The door lock according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the electrical actuating assembly comprises an energy source arranged to deliver electrical energy, wherein the actuating assembly further comprises a controller arranged, upon instruction by a user of the door lock, to modulate the energy delivered by the energy source according to predetermined energization levels and to energize the first and second electromagnets with the modulated energy such as to move the rocker between its first and second positions.

12. The door lock according to the preceding claim wherein the electrical actuating assembly further comprises a sensor arranged to determine whether the rocker has flipped from the first position to the second position, wherein the sensor is preferably a Hall sensor determining the proximity of the first or second end of the rocker, and wherein the controller is preferably further arranged to maintain the energization levels up to the earliest of the determination of the movement of the rocker from the first position to the second position by the sensor and the reaching of a predetermined time-out period.

13. The door lock according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 2, wherein the frame has mounted thereon a key actuator (44) arranged to be actuated upon rotation of a pin of a key cylinder, and has mounted thereon a sensor assembly arranged to detect the actuation of the key actuator (44), and has mounted thereon a controller arranged to receive from the sensor assembly a signal indicating that the key actuator is being actuated, wherein the controller is arranged to enable the entering of a new password to be entered in at least one keypad for unlocking the door lock upon having received the signal from the sensor assembly during a predetermined amount of time.

14. Use of the door lock from any one of the preceding claims 1-13 wherein, upon instruction by the user to unlock the latch bolt, the rocker is moved from the first position to the second position by energizing the second electromagnet such as to reduce the strength of the magnetic polarities imparted by the second permanent magnet on the second inner and outer pillars, and wherein, upon instruction by the user to lock the latch bolt, the rocker is moved from the second position to the first position by energizing the first electromagnet such as to reduce the strength of the magnetic polarities imparted by the first permanent magnet on the first inner and outer pillars, and wherein the rocker is maintained in the first position without energizing the first and second electromagnet due to the magnetic attraction of the second portion of the rocker to the second magnetic half-circuit, and wherein the rocker is maintained in the second position without energizing the first and second electromagnet due to the magnetic attraction of the first portion of the rocker to the first magnetic half-circuit.

15. Use according to the preceding claims of the door lock according to claim 12 wherein, upon instruction by the user to lock or unlock the latch bolt, the controller maintains the energization levels up to the earliest of the determination of the flipping of the rocker by the sensor and the reaching of the predetermined time-out period.

Drawing