EP2088265A1 - Method for controlling the unlocking of an electromechanical closing cylinder and electromechanical closing cylinder - Google Patents

Abstract

The lock has a housing plate (4) with a photovoltaic cell (1), a rechargeable battery (2) and electronic control unit (3) activated by a key which may also contain a battery to supply the energy to activate a thermally operated control to release the pins locking the cylinder.

Description

The invention relates to a method for unlocking an electromechanical lock cylinder according to the preamble of claim 1 and an electromechanical lock cylinder according to the preamble of claim 6.

Besides the purely mechanical, i. Only by the introduction of keys to be operated locking systems and lock cylinders are increasingly electronic or electromechanical lock cylinder in use, which offer an increased level of security due to their construction. Such locking systems or lock cylinders can be very advantageously integrated into comprehensive surveillance and building security systems. In general, electromechanical or electronic lock cylinders have a self-sufficient power supply in order to be able to operate them independently of the mains.

The invention has for its object to provide a locking or unlocking for an electromechanical lock cylinder, which allows a very effective and reliable locking in a simple manner, which can not be influenced by external manipulations or at least only a disproportionate effort.

The object is achieved by a method for unlocking with the features of claim 1 and an electromechanical lock cylinder with the features of claim 6, wherein the dependent claims contain expedient embodiments and features of the method and the lock cylinder.

The method for unlocking an electronic lock cylinder according to the invention is characterized in that at least one arranged in a lock cylinder thermo-mechanical actuator is driven by an energy pulse with a fixed duration and strength and / or a fixed pulse-pause ratio, this on a series locking pins so acts to cancel a blockage of the core rotation of the lock cylinder.

The arranged in the lock cylinder locking pins are thus not or not brought exclusively by the shape of a key in the unlocked position. Rather, the thermo-mechanical actuator within the lock cylinder ensures that the locking pins are brought into the unlocked position.

In a specific embodiment of the method, when heated, the at least one thermo-mechanical actuator displaces at least one locking pin associated therewith against an oppositely acting spring force from the rotating core so far that its free rotation is made possible. When the actuator cools, a return movement of the at least one locking pin takes place as a result of the spring force, so that when the rotating core rotates in the closed position, the locking pin can engage in a locking position.

This has the advantage that the actuator only has to come into action at the moment when the unlocking process is to be carried out. The holding of the lock cylinder in the unlocked position does not take place by the action of the actuator, but by the design of the lock cylinder. This leads also to ensure that the locking position of the locking pins in a self-closing is restored. As a result, the actuator is stressed only for a short time, does not wear out so quickly, and the power consumption for the operation of the actuator is reduced to a minimum.

By measuring the external ambient temperature, the optimum amount of energy for operating the thermomechanical actuator is determined in an expedient embodiment of the method. Proper functioning of the actuator is checked by means of a control measurement of its internal resistance.

This takes into account that the functionality of a thermo-mechanical actuator is sensitive to the temperature gradient between the actuator and its surroundings. If the ambient temperature is too low, an amount of energy placed on the actuator will not result in a proper actuator function. The amount of energy must be increased in this case. Therefore, the prevailing ambient temperature is determined and the energy amount is adjusted accordingly. Furthermore, the internal resistance of the actuator is important because its size is a measure of the heating of the actuator when subjected to a given amount of energy. If the internal resistance of the actuator falls below a certain value, it may be that the application of an energy amount to the actuator no longer leads to a proper actuator function. The measurement of the internal resistance of the actuator can detect this condition early and signal.

Conveniently, the first at least one thermo-mechanical actuator counteracts an alternating second actuator, so that in an impermissible manipulation attempt by an external heat by means of the second actuator caused by the first actuator unlocking is made ineffective by a lock. This ensures that the unlocking can take place exclusively only by the energy pulse acting on the first actuator.

It is expedient if the locking effected by the second actuator starts earlier than the unlocking of the first actuator due to a lower transformation temperature. As a result, the second actuator locks early in a manipulation attempt, whereby the security effect of the process is significantly enhanced.

An electromechanical lock cylinder for carrying out said method is characterized by at least one thermo-mechanical actuator acting on the lock pins of the lock cylinder and sliding the lock pins into an unlocking state in conjunction with a power source for operating the actuator.

Conveniently, the at least one thermo-mechanical actuator includes a memory metal with a first holding the locking pins in a locking position and a second form holding the locking pins in an unlocked position. Such memory metals assume a shape impressed upon them in the state of heating as a result of changes in the microstructure. This pushes the locking pins in the unlocked position.

The arrangement expediently consists of at least two thermo-mechanical actuators in an alternately acting arrangement, wherein at an outer manipulative heat action of the first actuator holds at least a first locking pin in an unlocked position and the second actuator at least one second locking pin in a locking position.

In another unlockable embodiment, the second actuator is formed of a first and a second locking member connected by a memory metal. In this arrangement, by an inserted key the memory metal extended under heat by a effected by the key body displacement of the first locking member compressible and the second actuator from the locking position into the unlocking position can be transferred.

Such an embodiment provides the safety-relevant advantage that, for example, in a fire in which the second actuator occupies a locked position by the action of heat, the lock cylinder is unlocked at any time by means of a key, escape doors can not remain blocked and can get rid of people trapped in a room at any time On the other hand, the complete security and resilience of the lock cylinder against external manipulation is ensured.

The inventive method for unlocking and electromechanical lock cylinder will now be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments. To clarify serve the FIGS. 1 and 2 ,

Fig. 1

ein Ausführungsbeispiel für ein thermomechanisches Kupplungselement und einen Aktuator nach dem Memory-Metall-Prinzip und

Fig. 2

ein Ausführungsbeispiel für ein thermomechanische Kupplungselement in Kombination mit einem alternierend wirkenden zweiten Kupplungs-element zur Manipulationssicherung.

It shows:

Fig. 1

an embodiment of a thermo-mechanical coupling element and an actuator according to the memory metal principle and

Fig. 2

an embodiment of a thermo-mechanical coupling element in combination with an alternately acting second coupling element for tampering.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a arranged in the lock cylinder C thermo-mechanical actuator 40 for locking and unlocking of the lock cylinder. Fig. 1 shows the lock cylinder C and disposed within the lock cylinder rotating core 20. In part a) of the figure, the locked position of the lock cylinder is shown, while the part b) of the figure shows the unlocked position.

Within the rotating core, a memory metal 43 is arranged, which is combined with an adapter 41. The memory metal and the adapter form the thermo-mechanical actuator of the illustrated embodiment. The actuator acts on the locking pins 45. These are pressed in the locked state by a series of springs 46 in the rotating core and lock the lock cylinder.

The material of the memory metal consists of a shape memory alloy, which is heated by an electrical resistance and upon reaching a certain temperature their metallurgical structure and thus their outer shape changes.

When heated, the adapter 41 pushes the locking pins 45 against the acting spring force out of the openings of the rotating core so that the core can rotate freely. After the memory metal cools, the locking pins snap back into you through the openings in the core as soon as it is turned to the appropriate position.

The energization of the memory metal can be carried out to increase the efficiency in a suitable pulse-pause ratio. Likewise, the energy required to reach the transition temperature can be accurately determined and optimized by measuring the ambient temperature. The measurement of the changed electrical resistance after the transformation of the structure in the memory metal allows feedback on the correct operation of the actuator.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a thermo-mechanical actuator, which is protected by an alternately acting second element 50 against manipulation from the outside. Part a) off Fig. 2 shows the locked position of the lock cylinder in a normal state, the part b), which adjusts itself after an external manipulative heat supply, still locked, state.

In comparison to the embodiment Fig. 1 a second memory metal 51 is provided with a second adapter 52 acting on a series of second locking pins 53. In contrast to the first actuator 40, this second actuator 50 is designed so that it does not cause locking of the core in the normal state in a locked by the first actuator rotating core. In the case of a manipulative heat input from outside, the first actuator releases the lock, while the first actuator releases the lock second actuator via the second adapter 52 locks the rotating core of the lock cylinder. An unlocking of the lock cylinder is only really possible by the first actuator 40 is specifically acted upon by a power supply so that the second actuator is not affected.

In an advantageous embodiment, the memory metal alloy of the second actuator has a lower transformation temperature than the alloy of the first actuator. As a result, the second actuator locked at an external heat supply faster than the first actuator unlocked, so that its blocking effect is amplified and used with certainty.

Other actuator principles, such as magnets or bobbins, require a larger installation space and are not meaningfully integrated into a lock cylinder with standard dimensions.

The second actuator described with reference to one of the previously shown embodiments locked without distinction in external heat. This is problematic in emergencies, especially in the case of a fire, because of the forced locking possibly escape routes can be blocked.

The embodiment described below makes it possible to cancel the positive locking of the lock cylinder by inserting and turning a key.

This modified further embodiment of the second actuator consists of an arrangement of two locking elements, which are again formed as balls in this example. The balls are arranged freely displaceable in the already mentioned, to the center of the rotating core sloping hole. Between the blocking elements is a memory metal in the form of a spring or a Spyder. When exposed to heat from outside, the memory metal expands and forces the balls through the hole both into the interior of the rotating core and out into the hole Formations of the housing. This prevents rotation of the rotating core and forcibly locks the lock cylinder.

The positive lock is released by inserting the key into the key slot. The displaced by the key, projecting into the key slot blocking element is pushed out of the key slot and presses against the memory metal. The memory metal is compressed and returns to its original shortened state. As a result, slides the arrangement of the locking elements and the memory metal within the bore by the action of gravity down and releases the blockage.

The invention has been explained in more detail with reference to embodiments. It can be made in the context of expert actions changes or further refinements that do not depart from the spirit of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

C

lock cylinder

20

rotating core

40

thermomechanical actuator

41

adapter

43

Memory metal

45

locking pins

46

feather

50

second actuator

51

second memory metal

52

second adapter

53

second locking pins

Claims (10)

Method for unlocking an electromechanical lock cylinder,
characterized in that
at least one arranged in a lock cylinder thermo-mechanical actuator (40) is driven by an energy pulse having a fixed duration and strength and / or a fixed pulse-pause ratio, which acts on a series of locking pins (45) so that a blockage of the core rotation of the lock cylinder is canceled. Method according to claim 1,
characterized in that
at a heating of the at least one thermo-mechanical actuator (40) at least one associated locking pin (45) against an oppositely acting spring force from the rotating core (20) so far displaced that its free rotation is enabled, and a cooling due to the spring force a Return movement of the at least one locking pin is carried out so that upon rotation of the rotating core in the closed position, a locking can take place in a blocking position. Method according to claims 1 and 2,
characterized in that
the optimum amount of energy for operating the at least one thermo-mechanical actuator (40) is determined via a measurement of an external ambient temperature, and the proper function of the actuator is checked via a control measurement of the internal electrical resistance. Method according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized in that
the at least one thermo-mechanical actuator (40) counteracts an alternately operating second actuator (50), so that in an impermissible manipulation attempt by an external heat by means of the second actuator caused by the first actuator unlocking is made ineffective by a lock. Method according to claim 4,
characterized in that
the lock caused by the second actuator will start earlier than the unlocking of the first actuator due to a lower transition temperature. Electromechanical lock cylinder for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 5,
marked by
at least one thermo-mechanical actuator (40) acting on the lock pins (45) of the lock cylinder, sliding the lock pins into an unlocked state in conjunction with a power source for operating the actuator. Electromechanical lock cylinder according to claim 6,
characterized in that
the at least one thermo-mechanical actuator includes a memory metal (43) having a first shape holding the locking pins (45) in a locking position and a second shape holding the locking pins in an unlocking position. Electromechanical lock cylinder according to claim 6 or 7,
characterized in that
the arrangement of at least two thermo-mechanical actuators (40, 50), in an alternating-acting arrangement, wherein at an outer manipulative heat action of the first actuator (40) holds at least a first locking pin in an unlocked position and the second actuator (50) at least one second locking pin in a locking position. Electromechanical lock cylinder according to claim 8,
characterized in that
is formed in a further unlockable embodiment of the second actuator of a first and a second connected by a memory metal locking member, which is compressed by an inserted key the heat expended memory metal by a effected by the key body displacement of the first locking member and the second Actuator from the locking position in the unlocked position can be transferred. Electromechanical lock cylinder according to claim 9,
characterized in that
the unlockable actuator has a first and a second, guided in a side of the key slot bore guided blocking body with a Spyder or coil spring between the locking bodies arranged memory metal, wherein in a locked state, the memory metal, the locking body in a key slot and in a housing recess pressed position and with an inserted key, the first locking body in the bore into a displaced position with a compressed, compressed in the resting state memory metal.

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