DE20113994U1 - cylinder key - Google Patents

Description

23.08.2001

Cylinder key
15

The present invention relates to a cylinder key according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such keys are known, for example, from EP 0 187 363 Bl.

Such cylinder keys have an electronic assembly in the key head that is designed for wireless communication with an electronic receiver module on the door. This receiver module is usually integrated into the door's locking cylinder. Electronically coded data is transmitted between the electronic assembly and the receiver module, which is used to verify access authorization.

In such cylinder keys, the distance between the wirelessly communicating components of the electronic assembly in the key head and the receiver module should be as small as possible in order to ensure low energy consumption and interference-free data transmission.

This requirement can at least always be met if the locking cylinder in question is not covered by a security fitting which, for example, contains an anti-drilling protection and, if necessary, an anti-pulling protection.
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However, with such security fittings, the key neck must be inserted sufficiently deep into a designated opening in the anti-drill protection in order to ensure that the key stop hits the front of the locking cylinder. This is the only way to ensure that the specified insertion depth of the key bit in the locking cylinder is guaranteed.

For this purpose, cylinder keys have been modified in recent years to have a longer key neck so that even locking cylinders equipped with protective fittings can be locked by the mechanically active part of the key bit.

The thickness of the cylinder cover can be bridged by using a longer key neck, although this is made more difficult by the fact that even locking cylinders that are too short still have to be closed with such a key.

This can only be achieved if the key neck, in addition to bridging the thickness of the cylinder cover, also has to bridge the free travel until the key stop hits the front side of the "too short" locking cylinder.

However, this creates a problem in locking systems when predetermined - usually higher-level keys have to operate both locking cylinders with electronic receiver modules and - in other doors - locking cylinders that are only locked mechanically, but which are protected against violent attacks by a protective fitting with a cylinder cover.

Shooting cylinders with electronic receiver components are also called electronic cylinders.

While in the case of the electronic cylinder the key head should be as close as possible to the front of the locking cylinder, in the case of the purely mechanically closed locking cylinder the key head must be at a significantly greater distance from the front of the locking cylinder, at least if the cylinder cover must also be bridged until the key stop hits the locking core.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a cylinder key which meets the contradictory requirements of a purely mechanical locking of a locking cylinder with protective fitting together with the electronic requirements of a locking cylinder with an integrated receiver module, in particular in locking systems.

The invention solves this problem with the features of the main claim.

The invention offers the advantage that, regardless of the structural conditions specified on the door side, one and the same key is optimally suited for both purely mechanical locking cylinders and for locking cylinders with an integrated receiver module.

0 This advantage is achieved by the fact that at least those components of the electronic assembly in the key head which are intended for electronic data exchange by wireless means with the electronic receiver module provided on the door side can be moved to a greater or lesser distance from the key stop as required. The invention therefore takes into account that these components

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on the one hand, in the case of locking cylinders with an integrated electronic receiver module, the keys are located only a short distance in front of the front face of the locking cylinder and, on the other hand, in the case of purely mechanically operated locking cylinders which are also covered with a protective fitting, a sufficiently large insertion depth for the cylinder key is ensured.

The components used for wireless communication with the receiver module include, in particular, the transmitting/receiving parts of the electronic components in the key head. If you want to keep the dimensions of the key head small, it is also advisable to equip the electronic assembly in the key head with an electronic memory module in conjunction with a passive transmitting and receiving device.

Such transmitting and receiving devices are known as transponders. They form an electronic oscillating circuit that is excited to a predetermined oscillation by the receiver module in the locking cylinder. The signal emitted by the excited oscillation is then received by the receiver module and, after decoding, checked for access authorization.

On the one hand, only the components of the electronic assembly necessary for wireless communication with the receiver module can be movably mounted on the key head.

On the other hand, the entire electronic assembly can also be located within a separate housing, which is movably mounted on the key head.

It is advisable to position the components of the electronic assembly in the key head that are used for communication with the receiver module between two defined end positions.

positions, one end position of which defines the smallest distance and the other the largest distance of the components of the electronic assembly involved in the data exchange from the key stop.
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A precisely defined end position can be defined in particular by a locking mechanism provided between the housing and the key head.

In accordance with the features of claim 7, there may also be preferred positions in which the components of the electronic assembly used for communication with the receiver module are held in the key head, for example by a spring load, provided that they do not have to be moved to the other of the two positions for the actuation of a purely mechanical locking cylinder or for the actuation of a locking cylinder with an electronic receiver module.

Examples of implementation are given for the movable arrangement of the components of the electronic assembly in the key head that communicate wirelessly with the electronic receiver module.

An embodiment is preferred in which these components are located on a carriage which is movable with a significant component in the longitudinal direction of the key on the key head. This includes all directions of movement in which the component in the longitudinal direction of the key is larger than the component in the transverse direction of the key.

However, it should be expressly stated that arrangements of these components on a turntable or a swivel arm also solve the problem at hand.

If the movably mounted components of the electronic assembly are coupled with a dead center gear, a functional click-clack sound can be achieved for the respective end positions by a jumping movement of the separate housing on the key head on either side of the dead center, which also acoustically indicates to the user the correct position of the components of the electronic assembly in the key head that are used for electronic communication. 10

The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. They show:

Fig.l shows a first embodiment of the invention in conjunction with a non-protected

Shock-proof locking cylinder with integrated electronic receiver module,

Fig.2 the embodiment according to Fig.l in conjunction with a purely mechanically operated locking cylinder secured by a protective fitting,

Fig.3a embodiment of the invention with accommodation of the electronic assembly in a separate housing, here slide, position for locking cylinder with electronic receiver module, Fig.3b as Fig. 3a for mechanically operated locking cylinder,

Fig.4a the embodiment according to Fig.3a, cut open,

Fig.4b the embodiment according to Fig.3b, cut open,

Fig.5a Design example with turntable, position for locking cylinder with integrated electronic receiver module,

Fig.5b like Fig.5a but position for a mechanically operated locking cylinder,

Fig.6a Design example with swivel arm, position for locking cylinder with integrated electronic
Receiver module,

Fig.6b as Fig.6a but position for purely mechanical
operated locking cylinder.

Unless otherwise stated below, the following description always applies to all figures.

The figures show a cylinder key 1.

Such a cylinder key 1 has a key head 2, an adjoining key neck 3 and an adjoining key bit 4.
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The height of the key neck 3 is so much greater than

the height of the key bit 4 such that a key stop 5 is created at the transition between the key neck 3 and the key bit, which strikes the corresponding front side of the locking cylinder 6 when the key bit 4 is inserted.

This limits the insertion depth in the corresponding locking cylinder.

Figs. 1 and 2 show two essential areas of application of the invention.

In the embodiment according to Fig.l, a locking cylinder 6 is integrated in the door 7, which contains an electronic receiver module 9 in addition to the mechanical locking devices (not shown here). This electronic receiver module 9 electronically checks the access authorization of the cylinder key 1. For this purpose, the cylinder key 1 contains an electronic assembly 8, which is practically moved in front of the front face of the receiver module 9 when the cylinder key 1 is removed.

is inserted sufficiently deep into the key channel of the locking cylinder 6.

In order to keep the energy required for electronic data exchange as low as possible, in this case the distance 10a between the electronic assembly 8 in the key head and the key stop 5 should be as small as possible.

In order for the same key to be used on a purely mechanically operated locking cylinder 6 according to Fig.2, the key neck 3 must in particular bridge the thickness of the pull protection 33 of the protective fitting 32.

In this case, a drilling protection device 34 is also provided, which is inserted from the inside into the pull protection device 33 and can rotate freely. In this regard, reference is made to the state of the art.

However, it is readily apparent that for this application the distance 10a according to Fig. 1 would be too small, since the housing 13 would strike with its front face in front of the outward-facing surface of the pull protection 33 before the key stop 5 strikes the front face of the locking cylinder 6.

This problem could be solved by extending the key neck 3.

0 However, this measure would not be consumer-friendly due to unnecessarily large key lengths.

For this reason, it is envisaged that at least the

The components of the electronic assembly 8 used for communication with the receiver module 9 are movably mounted on the key head 2 in such a way that for communication with the door

The distance between the key stop 5 and these components used for communication can be optionally reduced (10a) or increased (10b) by means of the receiver module 9 provided on the side (7).
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The components of the electronic assembly in the key head used for communication therefore optionally occupy the small distance 10a to the key stop and the large distance 10b to the key stop 5, depending on which type of locking cylinder is to be closed by one and the same key 1.

In addition, Fig. 4a and 4b show an electronic assembly 8 which comprises a memory module 11 and a transmitting device 12, wherein in this case both the memory module 11 and the transmitting device 12 are movably mounted on the key head 2.

In principle, however, it would be sufficient to store the memory module in a fixed location in the key head 2 and to connect it to the transmitting device 12 via flexible electrical lines or the like.

Preferably, the transmitting device 12 is designed as a passive transmitting device and has a transponder which contains an oscillating circuit excited by the receiver module 9 provided on the door side, via which the necessary energy is transmitted to the electronic assembly 8 in the key head in the direction from the locking cylinder 6 to the cylinder key, while in the other direction from the cylinder key 1 to the locking cylinder 6 the coding stored in the memory module 11 is then transmitted back to the receiver module 9 in the locking cylinder 6.

Furthermore, the embodiments show that the electronic assembly 8 in the key head is housed in a separate housing.

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se 13 is seated, and that the housing 13 is movably mounted on the key head 2.

Although the embodiments show that the entire assembly 8 is located within the housing 13, it is sufficient for the implementation of the invention that the transmitting device 12 is arranged in the housing 13, while the memory module 11 can be accommodated in a fixed position in the key head 2 and is connected to the transmitting device 12 via appropriately flexible lines or sliding contacts.

In addition, Fig. 3a to 6b show embodiments in which the components of the electronic assembly 8 serving for communication with the receiver module 9 are movable in the key head between two defined end positions, one of which defines the smallest distance 10a and the other the largest distance 10b of these components from the key stop 5.

In the embodiments according to Fig. 3a, 4a, 5a and 6a, the smallest distance 10a between the electronic assembly 8 and the key stop 5 is entered, while in the embodiments according to Fig. 3b, 4b, 5b and 6b, the largest distance 10b is shown.

It is now easy to imagine that of the end positions shown which the respective housing 13 can assume, at least one is defined by a locking mechanism.

0 Furthermore, by simply applying a spring in the direction of movement of the key head components used for communication with the electronic receiver module in the lock cylinder 6, it is possible to ensure that these are held permanently in the direction of one of the end positions, with 5 preferably pointing in the direction of the key stop 5.

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End position is to be achieved by the spring-elastic element.

In the embodiments according to Fig. 5a, 5b and 6a and 6b, the relevant components, which can be referred to as transmitting/receiving parts of the electronic assembly 8 in the key head, are pivotally mounted on the key head and arranged in such a way that, for communication with the receiver module 9 provided on the door side, they face the receiver module with an end face 16 in the position of the smaller distance to the key stop 5 (Fig. 5a, 6a) and face away from the receiver module 9 in the position of the larger distance (10b) with this end face, which is indicated with 17 in the embodiments of Fig. 5b and 6b.

In the case of Fig. 5a and 5b, this is achieved in that these components are seated on a turntable 18 which is rotatably mounted about a rotation axis 19 on the key head 2.

In the embodiment of Fig. 6a and 6b, these components are located on a pivot arm 20 which is pivotally mounted on the key head 2 on a pivot axis 21 lying transversely to the longitudinal direction 23 of the key.

In the case of Fig.3a, 3b and 4a, 4b, these components are located on a carriage which is movable on the key head with a predominant component in the key longitudinal direction 23.

The carriage is thus moved back and forth within a corresponding carriage guide of the key head 2 in such a way that the components of the electronic assembly 8 in the key head that serve for communication with the receiver module 9 are always in the position of the smaller distance 10a as well as in the position of the larger distance 10b.

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with one and the same front surface 24 facing the receiver module 9 in the locking cylinder 6.

In addition, Fig. 4a and 4b show a carriage which is coupled to a dead center gear 2 5. This dead center gear consists of a force transmitter 2 6 in the form of a compression spring supported in the key head 2, which is located inside a sleeve which is also in the key head and faces the carriage. This has two opposite inclined surfaces on its head side facing the carriage, one of which is supported on a corresponding inclined surface of the carriage and together with this forms a coupling point 27, 29.

In the end position shown in Fig.4a with a small distance 10a, the counter surface of the slide is located on one side of the inclined surface of the sleeve, while the situation is reversed in the case of Fig.4b. There, the contact between the inclined surface of the sleeve is provided at the second coupling point 29, which is located on the other side of the sleeve.

It can be seen that the carriage can move back and forth within a longitudinal guide in the key head 2, the longitudinal guide being parallel to the longitudinal direction 23 of the key.

On the way between the two end positions, the inclined surfaces of the carriage or sleeve slide against each other by tensioning the compression spring 26 until the maximum value of the spring preload is reached.

After exceeding the position associated with this counterforce, the carriage jumps into the other end position as a result of the relaxing compression spring 2 6.

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The symmetrical arrangement of the dead center gear also ensures that the movement in both directions is influenced by the dead center gear.

In addition, the slide moves to a fixed end stop 30 or 31 in the key head, so that the jumping movement of the slide on this side or the other side of the respective dead center is associated with the generation of a characteristic clicking noise.

23.08.2001

Reference symbol list

1 cylinder key

2 Key head

3 Key neck

4 Key bit

5 Key stop

6 locking cylinders

7 Door

8 electronic assembly in the key head

9 electronic receiver module in the locking cylinder 10a distance between 8 and 5 (small)

10b Distance between 8 and 5 (large)

11 memory module

12 Transmitter

13 Housing

16 Front face, facing

17 Front face, facing away

18 turntables

19 Rotation axis

20 Swivel arm 21 Swivel axis

23 Key longitudinal direction

24 web of the 9 facing front surface

25 Dead center gear 2 6 Power sensor

27 first coupling point

29 second coupling point

30 first end stop

31 second end stop

32 Protective fitting 5 33 Pull protection

34 Anti-drilling protection

Claims (15)

1. Cylinder key ( 1 ) whose insertion depth in the associated locking cylinder ( 6 ) is limited by a key stop ( 5 ), wherein an electronic assembly ( 8 ) is located in the key head ( 2 ) and is designed for wireless communication for the purpose of transmitting electronically coded access authorization data with an electronic receiver module ( 9 ) provided on the door side ( 7 ), characterized in that at least the components of the electronic assembly ( 8 ) serving for communication with the receiver module ( 9 ) are movably mounted on the key head ( 2 ) in such a way that the distance between the key stop ( 5 ) and these components can be optionally reduced ( 10a ) or increased ( 10b ) for communication with the receiver module ( 9 ) provided on the door side. 2. Cylinder key ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic assembly ( 8 ) comprises a memory module ( 11 ) and a transmitting device ( 12 ) and that at least the transmitting device ( 12 ) is movably mounted on the key head ( 2 ). 3. Cylinder key ( 1 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that the transmitting device ( 12 ) is designed as a passive transmitting device and has a transponder which contains an oscillating circuit excited externally by the electronic receiver module ( 9 ). 4. Cylinder key ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the electronic assembly ( 8 ), preferably the entire assembly, is located in a separate housing ( 13 ) and that the housing ( 13 ) is movably mounted on the key head ( 2 ). 5. Cylinder key ( 1 ) according to claim 4, characterized in that the components serving for communication with the receiver module ( 9 ) are movable between two defined end positions, one of which defines the smallest distance ( 10a ) and the other the largest distance ( 10b ) of these components from the key stop ( 5 ). 6. Cylinder key ( 1 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that at least one of the end positions is defined by a locking mechanism. 7. Cylinder key ( 1 ) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the components serving for communication are held by a spring-elastic element permanently in the direction of one of the end positions, preferably in the direction of the end position with the smaller distance ( 10a ). 8. Cylinder key ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the components are pivotally movable on the key head and are arranged in such a way that, for communication with the receiver module ( 9 ) provided on the door side, in the position of the smaller distance ( 10a ) to the key stop ( 5 ) they face the receiver module ( 9 ) with an end face ( 16 ) and in the position of the larger distance ( 10b ) they face away from the receiver module ( 9 ) with this end face. 9. Cylinder key ( 1 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that the components are seated on a turntable ( 18 ). 10. Cylinder key ( 1 ) according to claim 8, characterized in that the components are seated on a pivot arm ( 20 ). 11. Cylinder key ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the components are seated on a carriage which is displaceable with an essential component in the longitudinal direction of the key ( 23 ) on the key head ( 2 ). 12. Cylinder key ( 1 ) according to claim 11, characterized in that the components are seated on the carriage in such a way that they face the receiver module ( 9 ) with one and the same end face ( 24 ) both in the position of the smaller distance ( 10a ) to the key stop ( 5 ) and in the position of the larger distance ( 10b ). 13. Cylinder key ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the movably mounted components of the electronic assembly ( 8 ) are coupled to a dead center gear ( 25 ), by means of which they are displaced on their way from one position ( 10 a; 10 b) to the other position ( 10 b; 10 a) against a counterforce which initially increases up to a maximum value and, after exceeding the position associated with this counterforce, jump independently into the next position in the same direction of displacement. 14. Cylinder key ( 1 ) according to claim 13, characterized in that the dead center gear ( 25 ) is effective in both the one and the other of the two directions of movement. 15. Cylinder key ( 1 ) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the spring movement is limited by an end stop ( 30 ; 31 ) for generating a clicking noise.