MXPA00011562A - Electronic lock with mechanical clutch - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns an electronic barrel comprising a barrel body (12, 14) and a rotary-lock key bit (10), the barrel body comprising at least a rotor (32, 34) having a common axis with the body and the rotary-lock key bit and freely rotating in said body, a clutch part (40, 42) coupled in rotation with the rotor and comprising meshing means co-operating with means matching the key bit so as to drive in rotation said key bit by the rotor by the action of a rotating torque of the key (8), and locking means for preventing the clutch part (40, 42) from being translated when there is no recognition of an identification code transmitted between the key and the barrel, the locking means are further mounted integral in the rotary-lock key bit and the rotor is mobile in translation for thrusting the clutch part towards the key bit when said identification code is recognised.

Description

ELECTRIC LOCK WITH MECHANICAL CLUTCH TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an electronic lock capable of being opened by a key having an access right recognized by an identification code.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 10 At the present time, most of the conventional safety marriages available in the market are mechanical locks. However, there are certain locks, specifically electromechanical locks, which combine conventional mechanical coding (resulting from the profile that is occurs frequently on the key blade) with an electronic encoding. In addition, patent US 4 856 310 describes another type of lock, known as an electronic lock capable of being closed and opened by comparing an identification code present in both the lock and key without it being necessary to add any additional mechanical coding thereto. . Nevertheless, This type of lock, which is completely electronic, is not yet available in the market and in fact there are good reasons for this, specifically it still has many particularly important drawbacks, which in practice prevent it from being commercialized. First of all, if for example the key is lost, it has proved impossible to modify the identification codes without contact with the manufacturer of the lock. In addition, it is assumed that the power of these locks with energy is carried out by batteries which is a problem when having to consider their periods of limited duration. Finally, the internal structure of these locks and in particular their barrel is still particularly complex (and often is only an adaptation of mechanical locks). conventional) and especially less reliable as shown by the structure of the barrel (basically of several springs compressed in the rest position) of such a patent. Fortunately the first two problems have been solved. In fact with the European patent application EP-A-805 906, the Luxembourg company Electronic key systems (EKS) limited has solved the problem of modifying the identification code of the lock by adding a programming means to the key that allows to the user to carry out this modification directly. Similarly, the energy problem has also been solved shortly thereafter by the International PCT patent application WO 97/48867 filed in the name of the same company which proposed to make a key having an autonomous means of power generation. Therefore, it only remains to find a simple barrel structure for these electronic locks and, finally and contrary to everything expected, to allow these locks to be marketed.

OBJECTIVE AND DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide an electronic barrel with a simple structure adapted to an electronic environment and which comprises in particular an extremely limited number of internal parts.

An object of the invention is also to provide a particularly reliable (robust) barrel and a high-performance barrel with reduced energy consumption. An additional objective is to obtain a barrel completely protected from impacts, vibrations or dust. Again, another object of the invention is to produce a barrel resistant to breaking, sinking or forcing (protection against any forced entry). Another objective is also to be able to easily handle key conflicts. These objectives can be obtained by providing an electronic barrel comprising a barrel body and a rotating lock key bit, the barrel body comprises at least one rotor having a common axis __I _______ = Í__¡ ____ & ^^^^ * ¡^^^^^^^ * ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^ with body and rotary lock key bit, and that freely rotates within the body, a clutch part coupled in rotation with the wheel and comprising a meshing means cooperating with an additional means of the key bit so as to drive the key bit by rotation in rotation. rotor by the action of a twisting torque of the key, and a locking means to prevent the clutch part from moving when there is no recognition of an identification code transmitted between the key and the barrel, characterized in that the means of Immobilization is furthermore integral to the rotary lock key bit and wherein the rotor is movable in translation to push the clutch part towards the key bit when the identification code is recognized by means of this structure with a particularly limited number of mechanical parts, you can easily carry out the movement of the key bit through the clutch part, from the moment Torque rotation of the key alone without the control of the means of immobilization (release) requires a large amount of energy. The top of the electronic barrel is preferably constituted by a single protection flap that rotates about a parallel axis of at least one rotor between an initial position and a final release position. The protection flap acts against the action of a return spring to automatically place this flap in its initial position when the key is removed. The motor means preferably comprises an electric micro actuator with an axis parallel to the axis of at least one rotor, the release of at least one stop is carried out by means of a drive pinion supported by a final drive shaft of the electric microactuator and gear in an integral sector gear with the stop. The clutch part is formed of a cylindrical ring which is placed with a central disc and which comprises on both sides of this central disc a mesh medium in the form of a groove to provide articulation in rotation first with the key bit and secondly with the rotor. The central disc of the clutch part comprises a central bead to cooperate with the stop to release this part.

According to a characteristic embodiment, the electronic barrel further comprises at least one compression spring inserted between a rotor and the clutch part. It may further comprise at least one integral return clamp with the rotor and designed to cooperate with the clutch part for allow it to be released from the key bit when the key is removed. The return clamp preferably comprises an annular disc placed with at least one leg passing through the clutch part and which is fixed to the rotor, the disk cooperates with a surface of the clutch part perpendicular to the axis of at least one rotor. According to another characteristic embodiment, the electronic barrel further comprises at least one circular spring integral with the body of the barrel and designed to feed the translation of at least one rotor in the direction of the key bit. Again, according to another characteristic modality, the barrel The electronic component comprises at least one decoupling finger which is formed of two independent portions separated by a single compression spring and designed to ensure immobilization of the key in the rotor so as to allow the clutch part to be released from the bit. of rotating key when the key is removed. This decoupling finger is preferably mounted perpendicular to the axis of In the case of at least one rotor in an opening that partially crosses the rotor, a first end of this decoupling finger is in the same plane inside the key tube so that it is brought into contact with a hole in the key and a second end that it moves by passing the outer wall of the rotor so that it comes into contact with a longitudinal groove of the inner wall of the body of the rotor. barrel. The groove in the inner wall of the barrel body may comprise at least one inclined portion to facilitate compression of the single spring when the rotor moves after the key is inserted. Therefore, the removal of the key is impossible outside of an angular position defined by the precise location of the slot.

Preferably, the key blade comprises an annular conductive track for cooperating with the single fixed electrical contact of the barrel body so that power is provided from the motor means. Similarly, the barrel body comprises at least one perforation perpendicular to the axis of at least a rotor for receiving an electrical contact, preferably of the ball type, so as to cooperate with the corresponding conductive element of the key. The electronic circuits placed in a cavity of the barrel body and connected first to at least one electric sphere contact and secondly to the only fixed electrical contact are additionally provided so that the power supply to the motor means of the key bit can be made directly from the key through electronic circuits. According to a preferred embodiment, the electronic barrel of the invention comprises a first rotor or an internal rotor and a second rotor or external rotor, and the width of the protection flap of the external rotor is greater than that of the outer rotor. internal rotor protection flap so that the insertion of a key into the external key tube does not allow the key blade to be driven in the presence of an unrecognized key in the internal key tube. In this case, at least one barrel of articulation with a length greater than the width of the key bit placed at the level of this key bit between the return clamps, this barrel of articulation is designed to cooperate with the latter, so as to avoid the simultaneous coupling of the internal and external rotors when two keys are inserted inside two key tubes. The invention also relates to a lock with one of the two rotors placed with an electronic barrel, as mentioned above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DUCTS Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from reading the following description which is provided by means of the non-restrictive examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: g gjgfej Figure 1 is an external perspective view of a barrel of an electronic lock according to the invention, Figure 2 is an exploded view showing the different internal components of the barrel of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a section cross section of the barrel of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a section along the plane IV-IV of Figure 3, Figure 5 is a section along the plane VV of Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a section Exploded view similar to that of Figure 5, but after rotor rotation. 10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED MODALITY Figure 1 shows in external perspective a modality of example of a barrel of an electronic lock, according to the invention. This barrel, which is adapted in size to a conventional double mechanical cylinder (for example, of the symmetrical European double entry type, as illustrated) conventionally comprises mounted between two upstream and downstream body portions 12, 14 and a bit. of key 10 of intermediate rotary closing for activate the bolt (not shown) of this lock. One of these two portions upstream and downstream is housed within the other, for example with the aid of a hinge finger extending from the upstream body portion and fixed in a corresponding opening in the body portion downstream (see Figure 3) with the help of any fastening element (for example two screws 16). Each body portion is traversed by two semicircular springs 18, 20 (shown outside the barrel) whose function will be established later. In this way any loss of these circular springs is avoided, and two upstream retaining rings can be easily assembled and downstream (not shown) to cover these two body portions of the barrel.

However, any other kind or means of protection can be used for these circular springs in order to avoid removal by providing a seal for a welded piece. or welding in the body portions or by providing a complete cover by a single layer. 5 It will be noted that the initial free portion (without key), as shown, the key bit is slightly inclined with respect to the vertical. Of course, the invention is not limited to this single exemplary embodiment of a European double-cylinder type barrel and is naturally applicable to all types of European and international barrels (and possibly even to non-standardized models), for example in a single-cylinder barrel or in a semi-cylinder type barrel. The details of the main internal parts constituting the barrel are illustrated in an exploded view in Figure 2. From either of the two extremities upstream and downstream of the barrel and going towards the At the center where the key bit is located, this Figure shows: an upstream or downstream rotor (internal 32 and external 34 rotors, respectively) in which a duct 36 (respectively and 38) is manufactured to receive a key 8 (more specifically the bar or blade of this key), a clutch part 40 (respectively 42) driven by the rotor and designed for gears with the bit of key 10 and a return clamp 44 (respectively 46) integral with the rotor Placed between the two clamps upstream and downstream, that is, approximately at a level of the key bit, to a support 48 for receiving an electric actuator , such as a micromotor 50, and which is driven by a support pivot 52 that is fixedly fixed on each of its two extremities to a stop constituted by a protection flap 54, 56. The release by the rotation of these fins (in the case of recognition of an identification code) is ensured with the aid of a detector gear 58 which is also fixed integral with a support pin 52 and in engagement with the driven pinion 60 supported by a final drive shaft of the micromotor 50. A coiled return spring 62 is mounted on the support pivot 52 cooperates with the spring stop 64 so as to allow automatic return of the protection flaps 54, 56 when the key is removed. Of course, this example mode with protective fins that rotate under the action of a rotary micromotor is in no way restrictive and is It is very possible to provide an axial stop that is released with the help of a linear micromotor. Finally, two articulation barrels 66, 68 (without this number being restrictive), whose length is greater than the width of the key bit, are provided to slide on each side of the support 48 and define a minimum distance between the upstream and downstream clamps 44 and 46, respectively, and in this way avoid any simultaneous coupling of the two rotors on the key bit 10 if two keys were inserted simultaneously on each side of the barrel. Figures 3 and 4 are sectional views of the electronic barrel of the Figure 1 which shows more specifically the position of the internal parts, as illustrated in Figure 2. Figure 3 is elaborated within the vertical plane of symmetry of the barrel, and Figure 4, which is formed with the key is introduced into the internal rotor, it is constituted of a horizontal plane that passes through the axis of symmetry of the rotors. The locking key bit 10 is shown mounted between a stator 22 and an external stator 24 forming the outer portions of the body of the barrel. The internal stator becomes integral with the external stator by a joint finger pierced by two screws of the fixing bolts 16. These two stators are each provided with a longitudinal cylindrical bore 26, 28 having a common axis and in which the main internal components of the barrel are placed. One of these stators, such as the internal stator 22 is additionally positioned with a cavity for receiving the electronic circuits of the barrel 30. In the upstream portion of the barrel (the various parts written thus far are identical in the downstream portion), the internal rotor 32 (reference 34 downstream) is movable in its translation in the internal stator 22 (24) between a free position (without a key present) and an opening position that limits the translation of the rotor in the direction of the key bit and in which this rotor is in contact with the circular spring 18, 20 upstream. In one of its two extremities, the rotor comprises the key duct 36 (38) and in the other end a first coupling element 70 (72) for cooperate with a second corresponding coupling member 74 (76) of the clutch portion 40 (42). This clutch part, which is positioned with an axial protrusion or central bead 78 (80) to cooperate with the release stop, further comprises a third coupling element 82 (84) for cooperating with a fourth element 86 (88) of additional coupling of the key bit so that has a key bit driven in rotation by the rotor under the action of the torque of rotation of the key 8. An elastic articulation element such as a helical compression spring 90 (92) between the rotor and the part is inserted. of clutch. The return clamp 44 (46) is formed of an annular disk 94 (96) which is placed in at least one leg 98 (100) that passes through the part of the clutch and whose free ends are, for example, screwed or clamped in the rotor 32 (34). The clutch part is formed of a cylindrical ring which is placed with a central disk 102 (104) and which comprises on both sides of this central disk the coupling means 74, 82 (76, 84) in the form of slots to secure the articulation in rotation first with the key bit and secondly with the rotor. The central disc of the clutch part is preferably designed to cooperate with the annular disc of the return clamp. The key bit 10, and the positioning is secured by a conventional indicating device 106 comprising an indicating finger which compresses a spring in an opening of one of the stators (for example the internal stator 22), which is also placed with a longitudinal perforation 108 whose axis coincides with that of the longitudinal perforations of the stators and which is designed to receive the micromotor 50 and its support 48. The support and its motor become integral with the key bit by any fixing means (for example a screw whose orifice of passage through the support is provided with the reference number 109 in the Figure 2). The support shaft of the protection flaps 54, 56 passes through this support. It will be noted that, in order to effectively handle the concept of keys, the width of the external fin 56 is greater than that of the internal fin so that the introduction of an external rotor 34 of an unrecognized key can not open the lock if a key is already present (part 40 of the clutch engaged) in the internal rotor 32 (which in this way has shown prior recognition). Only a new recognition of this external key will tilt the outer flap 56 and, by causing a forward movement of the external clutch part 42 towards the key bit, it will result that the articulation barrels 66, 68 will push the internal clamp 44 and release the internal clutch part 40 so that it becomes possible a new coupling of the key blade by the external rotor, despite the presence of the key in the internal rotor. The key bit comprises an annular conductive track 110 for cooperating with a single fixed electrical contact 102 of the barrel body so as to allow energy to be supplied from the motor means 50. In order to accomplish this, the two portions of the barrel body each comprise a bore 114, 116 perpendicular to the axis of the rotors and which is designed to receive an electrical contact, preferably of the sphere type 118, 120 to cooperate with a conductive element of the key 8, for example an electrical contact or conductive track 122. The various electrical contacts are interconnected through electronic circuits 30 placed in a barrel body cavity so that the supply of the motor means of the shut-off key bit can be carried out directly from the key through these electronic circuits . Closing the key in the rotor when the latter rotates normally is secured by a decoupling finger whose particular structure is shown in detail in Figures 5 and 6. This extremely simple structure is formed of two independent portions 124a, 124b; 126a, 126b separated by a single spring 128, 130 which is held in a blind hole 132a, 132b; 134a, 134b drilled in each of these two portions, preferably cylindrical (the two blind holes are opposite each other). The decoupling finger formed above is mounted ^^^^^^^^^ _ ^ * £ ^^^^. ^^^ ft- perpendicular to the axis of the rotors in an opening 136, 138 that partially passes through each rotor, a first end of this finger is placed in the same plane as in the key duct so as to cooperate with a hole 140 of This key, while its second end, when passing the outer wall of the rotor, is comes into contact with a groove 142, 144 made longitudinally on the inner wall of the corresponding stator. In this mode example, which should not be considered restrictive, the compression of the single spring (which prevents any removal of the key) made during the rotating movement of the rotor after the key is inserted, becomes easier by an inclined portion of the slot of the inner wall of the stator in which the external portion of the decoupling finger will slide. The operation of this illustrated double barrel is as follows. First of all, it is assumed that more than one key is inserted in the lock. Therefore, the two rotors are in a first free position and can rotate freely.

The clutch parts are connected to the rotors but not to the key bit. In this initial state, the protection flaps are in a first position (initial closed position) in which the movement of the clutch parts towards the key blade is impossible. The key bit is held by the indexing finger in a position deviated from the vertical and preferably approximately 30 °.

When a key is inserted (for example at the level of the internal rotor), the decoupling finger is pulled aside to allow the key to pass (more specifically the blade or rod of this key), which then makes contact with the key. the stop on the lower part of the rotor keyway. From this contact with the bottom of the rotor, any new push of the key will result in a corresponding thrust of the rotor which will move forward until it comes into contact with the semicircular springs. The movement of the rotor results in a movement of the associated clutch part while compressing the articulation spring and the forward movement of the integral return clamp with the rotor ensures movement of the hinge barrels in a manner that prevents the key is inserted in the opposite rotor (in the space of the external rotor). During -? - j -.-- k- these movements, the conductive track of the key is automatically connected electrically with the sphere contact of the barrel (several fractions of a second are sufficient to ensure this articulation). From this point, an information exchange can be made between the key and the barrel, between the memory means of the key and that of the barrel to obtain an acknowledgment of the respective identification codes. If this recognition proves to be conclusive (which means that the key has the right of access to the barrel), the electric micromotor is fed by ensuring, by means of thrust subunion, a rotation of the detector gear. The protection flaps are inclined by tensioning the return spring and releasing the clutch part which, under the effect of the extension of the compression spring, advances towards the bit as soon as the opening angle of the flap permits. This movement places the clutch part in engagement with the key bit which only needs a rotation of the key to move. The opening torsional moment in this manner is transmitted from the rotor to the clutch part and then to the key blade by various gear means (grooves) of these three components. Furthermore, at the start of rotation, the key is fixed inside the rotor due to the immobilization of the decoupling finger resulting from the exit of the internal stator slot. When the key is removed, the rotor returns to its initial position under the action of the decoupling finger, the return clamp brings the clutch part back towards the rotor. In its return movement, the clutch part will release the protection flap and the face will automatically return to its initial closed position under the action of the return spring. The structure described above is particularly simple and consumes a small amount of energy. In fact, the protection flap is automatically maintained in a released position (uncoupled) by the clutch part once the latter engages with the key blade. A continuous feeding of the motor is therefore not necessary and only an initial point to release this clutch part is essential for proper operation of the barrel. In addition, it will be noted that the illustrated version (double barrel), a single motor ensures the inclination of the two protective fins.

Claims (20)

1. An electronic barrel, comprising a barrel body and a rotary lock key bit, the barrel body comprises at least one rotor having a common axis with the body and the key bit of the rotating lock, and which rotates freely in the body, a clutch part coupled in rotation with the rotor and comprising a gear means cooperating with an additional means that coincides with the key bit so as to drive the rotation of the key in the rotor under the action of a twisting torque of the key, a means of immobilization to prevent the clutch part from being translated when there is no recognition of the identification code transmitted between the key and the barrel, characterized in that the locking means is additionally integral to the bit key of the rotary lock and the rotor can move in translation to propel the clutch parts towards the key bit when rec Onoce the identification code.

2. The electronic barrel, according to claim 1, characterized in that the immobilization means comprises at least one stop released by the motor means when the identification code is recognized.

3. The electronic barrel, according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one stop is constituted by a protection flap that rotates about an axis parallel to the axis of at least one rotor between an initial position and a final release position. .

4. Electronic barrel according to claim 2, wherein the motor means comprises an electric microactuator with an axis parallel to the axis of at least one rotor, releasing here at least one stop carried by a pinion drive supported by a final driving shaft of an electric microactuator and which engages in a gear of integral section with the stop.

5. The electronic barrel, according to claim 3, characterized in that the protection flap acts against the action of the return spring designed to automatically rotate this flap back to its initial position when the key is removed.

6. The electronic barrel, according to claim 1, characterized in that the clutch part is formed of a cylindrical ring which is placed with a central disc and which comprises on both sides of this central disc gear means in the form of grooves so that it assures the coupling in rotation first with the key bit and in second place with the rotor.

7. The electronic barrel, according to claim 6 and claim 2, characterized in that the central disc of the clutch part comprises a central bead to cooperate with the stop to release this part.

8. The electronic barrel according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises at least one compression spring centered between the rotor and the clutch part.

9. Electronic barrel according to claim 1, further comprising at least one clamp integral return to the rotor and designed to cooperate with the coupling part to allow it to be released from the key bit when the key is removed.

10. The electronic barrel, according to claim 9, characterized in that the return clamp comprises an annular disc placed

^ "™ ^^^^ ¿w ^ * * with at least one leg through the clutch portion and fixed to the rotor disk cooperates with a surface for the clutch portion perpendicular to the axis of at least one rotor.

11. The electronic barrel according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises at least one circular spring integral with the body of the barrel and designed to limit the translation of at least one rotor of the key bit

12. The electronic barrel according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises at least one decoupling finger formed by two independent portions separated by a single compression spring and designed to ensure the immobilization of the key in a rotor to allow the The clutch part is released from the key bit of the rotary lock when the key is removed.

13. The electronic barrel, according to claim 12, characterized in that the decoupling finger is mounted perpendicular to the axis of at least one rotor in an opening that partially crosses the rotor, a first end of this decoupling finger is in the same flat in the key duct so that it is brought into contact with a hole in the key and a second end passing the outer wall of the rotor so that it is brought into contact with a longitudinal groove in the inner wall of the body of the barrel.

14. The electronic barrel according to claim 13, characterized in that the groove of the inner wall of the barrel body comprises at least one portion inclined so as to facilitate the compression of the single spring when the rotor moves after the key.

. _-- _.g. «,.« -_-. »> _ _. - - », -. - T *. The electronic barrel according to claim 2, characterized in that the key blade comprises an annular conductive track for cooperating with the single fixed electrical contact of the body of the barrel so as to allow power to be supplied to the barrel. of the motor means 5 16 The electronic barrel, according to claim 1, characterized in that the barrel body comprises at least one perforation perpendicular to the axis of at least one rotor to receive an electrical contact, preferably of the sphere type, to cooperate with a corresponding conductive element 10 of the key

The electronic barrel, according to claim 15, and claim 16, characterized in that it further comprises electronic circuits placed in a cavity of the body of the barrel and connected first to at least 15 an electric sphere contact, and secondly to single fixed electrical contact so that the supply of the key bit from the motor means can be carried out directly from the key through the electronic circuits

The electronic barrel according to one of the claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it comprises a first rotor or internal rotor and a second rotor or external rotor, characterized in that the width of the protection flap of the external rotor is greater than that of the external rotor. of the internal rotor protection flap, so that the introduction of an unrecognized key into the external key duct does not allow the key bit to be driven when the key is present in the internal key duct

The electronic barrel according to claim 18, characterized in that it also comprises at least one barrel of articulation that has a length greater than the width of the key blade and that is placed on the level of that key bit between the bars. return clamps and designed to

__ ^ _ ^ = r: i] Jg: L ^ -. _ - -. »- * • - ^ -_--« - ~ -_..- ^ -. ^ -_,. ».« -, ,,. .- > -. - ^ - fffr cooperate with the latter to avoid the simultaneous coupling of the internal and external rotors when the two keys are inserted inside the key ducts

20. The lock with one or two of the rotors placed with an electronic barrel, according to one of claims 1 to 19