HK1095168B - Locking arrangement - Google Patents

Description

Locking device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a locking device for locking two parts to each other, for example a door or a small door (hatch) to a door frame construction of a door or a small door opening.

Background

Fig. 1 shows a general locking device, which includes a lock unit 4 and a counterpart (counter) 5. Typically, the lock unit is mounted in the door 1 and the counterpart 5 is mounted in the door frame 2, but other mounting manners are possible. The latch 6 is moved (pushed or rotated) from the lock unit into the counterpart, i.e. the strike plate. In the example of figure 1, the strike plate is mounted in the door frame and it can be seen that when the door is locked, the latch is pushed into the holes in the door frame and strike plate.

The necessary movement of the bolt must be sufficient to keep the door closed, for example in the case of vandalism, despite the presence of a door gap, i.e. the spacing 8 between the door and the door frame, which varies, however, depending on the type of door, installation tolerances, temperature, etc. Typically, the door gap is between 1 mm and 5 mm. Typically, the movement of the latch is 14 mm, or even up to 20 mm on high security doors. The latches are moved, for example, by a key, motor or button.

Normally, the movement of the latch is transverse to the movement of the door (in the direction of opening and closing the door), so that a force exerted on the door when opening the door, such as a sealing force caused by the seal 3 or a force pushing the door, will make the movement of the latch rather difficult because of friction between the latch and, for example, the strike plate. Friction also exists in the inner member 7 of the lock and between the latch and the other members of the lock unit. This also means that when unlocking by a key or motor, a large force is required to overcome the forces and friction that may be present.

In addition, in the case of burglary, considerable bending stresses are exerted on the latch, so that these components must be made with large dimensions.

The energy required is typically too large for battery operation because of the large forces required to move the latch and the large movement of the latch. In addition, powerful and expensive motor bearings are required. In terms of energy consumption requirements, emergency escape regulation (standard EN1125) must be considered according to which a locked door must be able to open even if a lateral force of 1000 newtons is applied to the central portion of the door. It is very difficult and expensive to meet this requirement with the existing known solutions.

In addition, many sensors have been previously employed to detect the condition of an object to be locked, such as a door. Separate sensors have been used to indicate, for example, whether the door is open, the lock is locked, and the lock is open. The object of the present invention is to reduce the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. This object is achieved by the disclosure in the appended claims.

Brief introduction to the invention

The system according to the invention has a new mechanism which can replace the known locking devices based on latches. Instead of a latch, the invention uses a first locking member attached to the lock unit, a second locking member attached to the counter part, in short the strike plate, and an acting element, preferably part of the lock unit.

The first and second locking members are clamping brackets (gripping brackets) which form a hook-type grip between each other when the lock unit and the counter part are in the mounted position against each other, for example when the door is closed in its door opening. Thus, the locking element can be described as two detents that snap into one another when in a position overlapping one another (contact with one another, the parts remaining substantially in contact with one another despite some external force or even external force that helps maintain such contact). In the mounted position, e.g. when the lock unit is fixed to the door and the door frame, the gripping bracket is substantially transverse to the swing axis of the part to be rotated, e.g. the door, i.e. the gripping bracket is substantially in the direction of the path of movement when the part to be rotated rests on its counterpart, e.g. when the door is closed in the door opening. Whether the clamping bracket is provided with a hook or not depends on the design. With a suitable design, the hooks can be made very small, for example with only a shallow bend in the support.

The task of the acting element is to keep the gripping brackets in the overlapping position when the locking device according to the invention is locked. The position of the acting element can be changed and the current state of the locking device depends on this position. There is a space between the acting element and the first locking member, the width of which depends on the position. The second gripping bracket is in the space when the brackets overlap each other.

When the spacing is in its narrowest state, there is only room for the second gripping bracket. Thus, the acting element and/or the first gripping bracket can press against the second gripping bracket or a small space is maintained on both sides of the second gripping bracket. The clamp bracket and the acting element are formed such that when the spacing is narrowest (the acting element is thus in a front position) and the acting element is locked, the second clamp bracket cannot be pulled away from between the acting element and the first clamp bracket, but the brackets remain in an overlapping position. The desired locking is achieved when the gripping bracket is fixed at one end to the lock unit and the counter part, and the lock unit and the counter part are fixed to, for example, a door and a door frame, respectively.

If the acting element is unlocked and the space is in its narrowest state, the second gripping bracket can be pulled away from between the acting element and the first gripping bracket, whereby the second gripping bracket simultaneously presses the acting element from the front position to the retracted position, whereby the space is in its widest state. In fact, in a real installation situation, pulling the gripping bracket out of the compartment means opening the door. In this case it is preferred to keep the acting element in the retracted position, i.e. the space is wider, because the second gripping member is easier to enter into the space, i.e. to overlap the first gripping bracket, when the open door is closed. The acting element can be released from the retracted position while the second gripping bracket is entering the space, thus allowing it to move to the front position.

Basically and preferably, the acting element is a vertical arm, the first end of which (which in the example of this document is the upper end) is hinged on the body of the lock unit. The hinge forms a support around which the arm can rotate. In the front position, the arm is located closest to the first locking member, so that the spacing is narrowest. In the retracted position, the arm is furthest from the first locking member and the spacing is thus at its widest. The surface of the arm facing the first locking member comprises a gripping tongue (tongue) whose shape conforms to the shape of the locking member.

The arm may further include a recess with a retaining spring disposed therein for retaining the arm in the retracted position. When pressure is applied to the release bracket of the retaining spring, the retaining spring moves out of the recess and the arm can move to the front position.

The acting element can be locked in its front position by a safety catch which presses on the rear edge of the arm of the acting element. The safety catch comprises a reel (reel) which is centred on the side of the rear edge of the arm of the acting element and the periphery of the drum presses against the rear edge of the arm when the safety catch is switched on. When the safety catch is disengaged, the central portion of the spool is located outside the rear edge of the arm, so that the spool allows the arm to be moved into its withdrawn position by an external force.

The spool is secured to the arm of the latch (preferably through a central portion thereof). The arm of the catch is fixed (e.g. hinged) at one end, i.e. the fixed end, to the body of the lock unit. The other end of the arm is hinged to the transmission construction. The transmission arrangement transmits power, for example from an electric motor or a mechanical power device such as a key or a lock handle, to actuate the safety catch (spool) on and off.

If the safety catch is not switched on, the acting element is allowed to move to the withdrawn position when pressure is exerted on the acting element (actually pressing the gripping bracket against the acting element), in more detail the safety catch and the movement of the transmission construction are moved by the force, allowing the arm of the acting element to move to the withdrawn position. When the arm is returned from the retracted position to the front position, the mechanical member of the safety catch and the transmission arrangement returns to its starting state, i.e. the state in which the mechanical member is in front of the force pressing the acting element to move it to the retracted position.

The invention therefore relates to a locking device comprising a first locking element comprising a first free end which, in the mounted position, is substantially transverse to the axis of oscillation of the part to be rotated, and a second locking element belonging to the counterpart and comprising a second free end which, in the mounted position, is substantially transverse to the axis of oscillation of the part to be rotated. The two locking members are arranged to operate together such that they overlap when the units are placed against each other in the mounted position and the door, wicket or the like is in the closed position. In addition, the device comprises an acting element which is controllably supported for achieving locking and which for achieving locking is arranged to act transversely on the locking mechanism, so that in said position the locking element overlaps with the acting element, preventing the locking unit and the counter part from moving out of said contact position by clamping said units to each other.

List of drawings

The invention is described hereinafter by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows an example of the prior art, namely a conventional latch,

fig. 2 shows a simple example of a construction according to the invention, seen from above, in which the locking device is mounted in the door and the door frame,

fig. 3 shows another simple example of a construction according to the invention, seen from above, in which the locking device is installed in the door and the door frame, and the locking element differs from the locking element of fig. 2,

figure 4 shows a simple exemplary situation of an acting element according to the invention seen from the side,

figure 5 shows another simple exemplary situation of an acting element according to the invention seen from the side,

figure 6 shows a third simple exemplary situation of an acting element according to the invention seen from the side,

figure 7 shows an example of a form of a clamping bracket and an example of adjusting the locking device for different door clearances,

figure 8 shows a first example of a drive configuration of the lock unit with the safety catch switched on,

figure 9 shows a cross-sectional view of figure 8 from the same direction,

figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of figure 8 from the direction and position shown,

figure 11 shows a close-up view of the portion shown in figure 9,

figure 12 shows a first example of a drive configuration of the lock unit with the safety catch disengaged,

figure 13 shows a cross-sectional view of figure 12 from the same direction,

figure 14 shows a cross-sectional view of figure 12 from the orientation and position shown,

figure 15 shows a close-up view of the portion shown in figure 13,

fig. 16 shows a first example of a transmission configuration of the lock unit, in which the safety catch is disengaged and the acting element is in the retracted position,

figure 17 shows a cross-sectional view of figure 16 from the same direction,

figure 18 shows a cross-sectional view of figure 16 from the orientation and position shown,

figure 19 shows a close-up view of the portion shown in figure 17,

fig. 20 shows another example of a drive configuration of the lock unit, in which the safety catch is switched on,

fig. 21 shows another example of a drive configuration of the lock unit, in which the safety catch is disconnected,

fig. 22 shows another example of a transmission configuration of the lock unit, in which the safety catch is disengaged and the acting element is in the retracted position,

figure 23 shows an example of a retaining spring of the locking device,

figure 24 shows an example of how the second locking element acts on the retaining spring,

figure 25 shows an example of the operation of the holding mechanism in cooperation with the locking element and the acting element,

figure 26 is an exemplary flow chart of a method according to the present invention,

fig. 27 shows another example of a transmission configuration and safety catch, in which the acting element is in the front position,

fig. 28 shows the drive configuration and safety catch of fig. 27, wherein the safety catch has been driven open,

fig. 29 shows the drive configuration and the safety catch of fig. 27, with the acting element in the rear end position, and

figure 30 shows the drive wheel and worm gear of the drive configuration shown in figures 27-29.

Description of the invention

Fig. 2 shows a simple example of a construction according to the invention, seen from above, in which the locking device is mounted in the door 1 and the door frame 2, in the example of fig. 2 the lock unit 4 is mounted in the door and the counterpart 26 is mounted in the door frame. The first locking member, i.e. the gripping bracket 22, is fixed to the locking unit (its body), while the second locking member, i.e. the gripping bracket 23, is fixed to the counterpart. In the situation shown in the figure, the gripping brackets 22, 23 overlap each other when the door is closed in the door opening.

The lock unit further comprises an acting element 21, the gripping brackets 24 of which are shaped to conform to the shape of the gripping brackets 22, 23. Thus, when the spacing between the bracket 22 of the first locking element and the acting element is in its narrowest state, i.e. when the acting element is in the front position, the second locking element 23 has just enough space to be positioned in the opening, whereby the shape of the acting element and the bracket can keep the bracket of the second locking element in the spacing when the acting element is locked.

The locking of the acting element can be achieved by a safety catch which presses on the rear surface of the acting element. The safety catch is used to achieve a controlled support of the acting element. The safety catch is a mechanism for locking the acting element in a certain position, in this case the front position. Thus, an external force acting on the acting element does not move the safety catch to the other position. In this position, the safety catch is switched on as described. In more detail, the safety catch comprises a spool portion 25 which presses on the acting element. If the safety catch is not switched on (off), i.e. the spool is not pressed against the rear surface of the acting element (410, e.g. fig. 4) when the door is pulled, the second locking member 23 presses on the acting element, whereby the spool is not firmly supported and the acting element is allowed to move towards its retracted position. At the same time the space between the first locking member 22 and the acting member is widened and the second locking member is allowed to leave the space. Thus, the door 1 can be opened. In other words, when the operating element is in the front position, the safety catch is switched on and the locking elements overlap, so that the lock is closed. When the safety catch is disengaged while the acting element is still in the front position and the locking elements overlap, the lock is opened, in which state the force acting on the locking element or the counter part for separating the lock units pulls the second locking element out of the space, whereby the second locking element simultaneously pulls the acting element into the withdrawn position, whereby the other free end moves past the first free end.

Fig. 3 shows another simple example of a construction according to the invention, seen from above, in which a locking arrangement is mounted on the door and the frame, in which arrangement the locking element is formed differently from the locking element of fig. 2. The free end 36 of the second locking element 32 is formed such that the inner edge 35 of the holder is inclined from the free end and the outer edge 39 on the other side of the holder is curved. The bracket is secured to the counterpart by means of a hinge 33 or the like, whereby the hinge will allow the bracket to move within a desired extent. This movement can also accommodate different door clearances and variations in clearances. The free end 37 of the first leg 31 is also formed so that its inner edge 38 is beveled.

The ramps 35, 38 make it easier for the brackets to overlap when the door is closed. On the other hand, the curved surface 39 will ensure that there is always an effective contact surface between the secondary locking member and the secondary locking member if an attempt is made to open the door. When the locking element is switched on, the acting element 21 cannot move to the retracted position, but its gripping bracket 34 presses against the second locking element 32 by opening the door, which is correspondingly pushed against the first locking element 31. As can be seen from fig. 3, the shape of the acting element and the two locking elements has an influence on the operability of the locking device. In addition, it can be seen that it is preferable to fix the second locking element to the counterpart, for example to form a hinged fixing 33, thus allowing a certain degree of movement of the second locking element. The second locking element may also be made of an elastic material, so that a fixing element, such as a hinged fixing element, is not necessary, since the locking element itself allows a certain degree of movement. The material may be resilient only in certain parts of the locking element, for example in the bottom of the locking element.

The construction of the counterpart further preferably comprises a spring for holding the second locking member in the desired open position.

In fig. 2 and 3, the spacing between the bracket and the acting element is exaggerated for the sake of clarity. In practice, the spacing is quite small. Thus, fig. 2 and 3 illustrate the principles of the present invention, and thus they are not exact embodiments in terms of shape and scale.

Fig. 4 shows a simple exemplary situation of the acting element 40 according to the invention from the side of the lock unit 48. The figure does not show the first lock unit but only attempts to show the action of the acting element and the safety catch 43. In fig. 4 the acting element 40 is in the front position, whereby the gripping bracket 41 on the side of its front face 411 is in the front face and the spacing between it and the first locking element is at this time minimal. The acting element is formed as a rod-like construction (arm) which is fixed at its first end, i.e. its upper end, to the body of the lock unit at the location of the hinge mechanism 42. Thus, the arm can be rotated about the hinge point formed by the hinge mechanism.

In addition to the above, the locking member may also be mounted upside down with respect to fig. 4 (and other figures), whereby the hinge mechanism 42 is located at the lower end of the arm in the mounted position. However, the invention can be more easily explained in this way, so that the hinge mechanism is at the top, as shown in the drawing. The relevant paragraph thus relates to the mounting position, in which the hinge of the arm is at the upper end. In addition, it is also possible to arrange the arm in a horizontal position, if the width of the construction is sufficient. This alternative is generally considered when it is desired to mount the lock unit in the frame structure of the door, i.e. the wall thickness is available for mounting the locking device in the desired position.

The safety catch 43, by which the acting element can be locked in the front position, is preferably arranged in the lock unit such that the reel 47 of the safety catch is pressed firmly against the rear surface 410 of the arm at the lower end of the arm, i.e. the other end of the arm. The rear surface is thus a counter surface on which the safety catch can be pressed. When the radius of the reel of the safety catch is directed perpendicularly to the counter surface, the pressure on the counter surface is as strong as possible. When the safety catch is switched on, i.e. it locks the arm in the front position, the centre 44 of the reel is located at or in the level of the rear surface of the arm. The rear edge is thus the edge of the counter surface (the surface on which the safety catch presses when switched on), and the region inside the rear edge is the region of the counter surface. The safety catch further comprises an arm 49, the other end of which is hinged 45 to the body of the lock unit, so that the arm can move in connection with the hinge point defined by the hinge. The other end of the hinge is hinged 46 on a transmission configuration not shown in fig. 4.

Fig. 5 shows another simple exemplary situation of an acting element according to the invention seen from the side. In this case the safety catch 43 is not switched on, i.e. the acting element 40 is not locked in its front position. The force transmitted from the transmission configuration via the hinge 46 moves the arm of the safety catch downwards 51, while the arm is associated with the fixed hinge point 45 while holding the other end in place. The centre 44 of the reel 47 moves to the outer edge of the acting element so that the reel no longer presses firmly against the rear surface of the arm. In this operating state, the lock is open and the acting element is allowed to move to the retracted position. In a practical installation situation this means that when the lock unit is installed in the door, the door is closed, but it can be pushed/pulled open.

Fig. 6 shows a third simple exemplary situation of an acting element according to the invention seen from the side. In this example, the door is pushed/pulled open in the actual installation situation. The opening force acting on the gripping bracket 41 of the acting element 40 when the door is opened will thus push the arm towards the retracted position, while the hinge point 42 will hold the upper end of the arm in place. When the lower end of the arm moves downward, the rear surface thereof simultaneously pushes the spool 47 so that when the center of the spool is located outside the rear surface, the spool can move while the arm of the safety catch moves downward. (note that if the lock unit is installed in another manner, the direction of operation is reversed). This operation of the safety catch 43 allows the acting element to move 62, preferably about 10 degrees, into the withdrawn position as shown in the figures. The fixed hinge point 45 of the safety catch holds the fixed end of the safety catch in place and the transmission configuration allows the other end of the arm to move downwardly 61.

In the actual installation situation, when the arm is in the retracted state, this means that the door is open. It is therefore also preferred to keep the arm in the retracted state until the door is closed again, thus allowing the arm to move back to the front position. The release mechanism of the safety catch is preferably simultaneously arranged in its upper position (for example by means of a spring belonging to the safety catch or the drive configuration) so that the door is closed again and the lock unit is in the state shown in fig. 5. Thus, fig. 4-6 illustrate the principles of the present invention, and therefore they are not exact embodiments in terms of shape and scale.

Figure 7 shows an example of a form of a clamping bracket and an example of adjusting the locking device for different door clearances. Fig. 7 shows in more detail the same construction as schematically shown in fig. 4-6, seen from above. The lock unit 48 is mounted in the door and the counter part 74 is mounted in the door frame. The door and lock are closed in this example. The other locking element 72 has just enough space between the first locking element and the acting element 40. The spool 47 of the safety catch holds the acting element in place. If now an attempt is made to open the door, a vertical force F acts on the acting clamp bracket 41 due to the shape of the second locking element. This force tends to move the acting element to the retracted position, but the spool of the safety catch blocks this force.

Part of the force F moves to the body of the lock unit via the friction surface 76. The performance of the friction surface has an effect on the operability of the locking member. If the friction surface has a lower coefficient of friction, the acting element is moved more easily when opening the door, but at the same time a greater force acts on the safety catch. The greater the force acting on the safety catch, the more energy is required to unlock, i.e. the safety catch moves to open. This is important, for example, in emergency situations (note the emergency escape exit regulations described above). On the other hand, if the friction element has a higher coefficient of friction, a greater part of the opening force is applied to the friction surface, so that less energy is required for moving the safety catch. In a practical solution, the coefficient of friction is preferably about 0.3. The friction surface is on the side of the actuation arm which acts as a bearing surface when an opening force acts on the actor clamp bracket, and the friction surface and the bearing surface are in contact with each other during the action of said opening force F. The opening force is substantially at the level of the nip surface of the acting element. Structurally, the friction surface may be part of the actual structure of the lock body, the acting element or a friction element fixed to the body or the acting element.

The locking device is suitable for use in various door gaps Z (the spacing between the door and the doorframe). This play is caused in particular by the hinge 73, via which the second locking element is fixed to the counterpart 74. The configuration of the hinge and the counter part allows the locking element to move within the angular sector of movement, preferably about 10-15 degrees, thus creating an overlap of the first and second locking elements. The shape of the locking element also makes overlapping easier. In fig. 7 it can be seen that with the gap Z of this example, a recess (indention) 75 has to be provided in the counter part 74, into which recess the first locking element can enter when the door is closed. In the case of larger gaps, a recess may not be necessary. The door gap is typically between 1 and 5 mm. The shape, size and even the necessity of the presence of the recess are influenced by the shape and position of the locking element.

As can be seen in fig. 7 and 3, the inner edge of the locking element holder comprises a notch after the ramp has been formed, seen from the first free end (37, fig. 3). The outer edge of the second locking element comprises a convexly curved surface adjacent to or starting from the second free end. The slopes of both the curved face and the inner face of the secondary locking element terminate at the arms of the carrier at a point where the arms begin to bend outwardly, thereby forming a bend in front of the fixed end of the carrier of the secondary locking element, whereby a recess is formed between the curved face and the bend. The clamping bracket of the acting element comprises a tab (tab) which, when the gap is in its narrowest state and the brackets overlap, is located in the position of the recess of the bracket of the second locking element, so that in this position the inner surface located in the position of the recess of the second locking element is additionally located in the notch of the first locking element. The surface of the boss of the clamping mechanism is substantially flat on both sides of the boss or on the side of the boss on which the force from the second locking member is applied.

Fig. 8 shows a first example of a transmission configuration 81 of the lock unit, in which the safety catch is switched on. The section lines and directions for the sectional view 10 are marked in fig. 8. Fig. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of fig. 8, viewed from the same direction. In fig. 9, a portion of fig. 9 which is a partially enlarged view in fig. 11 is shown in broken lines. Fig. 8-11 show the structure of fig. 4-7 in more detail.

In a first example, the transmission configuration 81 comprises a transmission arm 112 hinged 46 at one end thereof to the arm 49 of the safety catch and at the other end thereof to the other transmission configuration. The further drive arrangement comprises a drive screw 92, a drive arm 84 and a support arm 82, the support arm 82 being hinged at one end thereof (via a support 83 in this example) to the body of the lock unit and at the other end thereof to the other end of the drive arm 84.

In more detail, the drive screw is supported at its other end on the thread of the drive screw and is hinged at its central portion to the transfer arm 112, so that the power (if any) to rotate the screw will move the other end of the transfer arm in the thread, as a result of which the movement of the transfer arm will cause the transfer arm to move and therefore also the arm of the safety catch. In this example, the drive screw is connected to the motor 91 via a shaft 111. The motor generates a force (if any) that turns the screw. The motor may also be connected to a controller. Typically, the controller controls the operation of the motor in response to an external signal, which may be a control signal, a signal representing an emergency situation, or the like. The drive screw may alternatively or additionally be connected to a mechanical power device.

Thus, fig. 8-11 show a situation in which the acting element is in the front position and the lock is locked, i.e. the safety catch is on. If a motor is used to turn the drive screw, the position of the safety catch can be changed. Fig. 12-15 show a situation in which the first transmission configuration is in the second position, in which the safety catch is open and the acting element 40 is in the front position. The safety catch is pulled down via the drive screw so that the centre point of the spool 47 of the safety catch is below the lower edge of the acting element. Thus, the acting element can be moved to the retracted position by an external power.

On the other hand, fig. 16-19 show a situation in which the acting element has been moved to the retracted position by an external force, and the safety catch is disengaged. In this case the reel of the safety catch is completely below the acting element. Preferably, for practical operation, the acting element can be held in the withdrawn position until, for example, when the door is closed, allowing the acting element to move again to the front position. Springs are used for this purpose, which are described in more detail below. It will be noted that in fig. 8-10, 12-14 and 16-18, a spring is provided around the member 82 urging the members 83 and 84 apart. The spring causes the transmission arrangement to automatically return to the desired position when the actuator moves from the retracted position to the forward position.

Fig. 20-22 show an example of another drive configuration 208. In this configuration, the transmission means comprise a transmission arm 201, one end of which is hinged 46 to the arm 49 of the safety catch and the other end 202 of which is hinged to the other transmission means. The further transmission arrangement comprises a transmission screw 92, a transmission spring 205 and a support arm 203, the support arm 203 being hinged 204 at one end thereof to the body of the lock unit and at the other end thereof to said transmission arm.

The drive spring is generally U-shaped, supported at one end thereof on the thread of the drive screw 92 and at the other end thereof on a central portion of the support arm, in particular on a slot 206 in which the fixed end of the spring is movable. In addition, a spring (preferably a coil spring) is supported 207 at the bend on the body of the lock unit.

The force of turning the screw 92, if any, moves the end of the spring supported in the thread, whereby the movement of the spring 205 drives the support arm 203 and the transfer arm 201 via the support arm mount, and thus also the arm 49 of the safety catch. In fig. 20 the safety catch is on and the acting element is in the front position. In fig. 21 the safety catch is open and the acting element is in the front position, and in fig. 22 the safety catch is open and the acting element is in the retracted position.

Fig. 23 shows an example of a retaining spring 231 of the locking device, the purpose of which is to keep the acting element in a retracted position, for example when the door is open. The holding spring can be made of metal, for example, but it can also be made of another material, for example of a suitable plastic. The part of the holding spring 233 called the holding surface holds the acting element in the withdrawn position. To facilitate the operation of the spring, a ramp 234 is preferably provided in the spring retention surface. When the door or the like is closed, the free end of the second locking member 72 comes into contact with the portion 232 of the spring release bracket referred to as the release face, and the locking member pushes the release face. Since the spring is made of an elastic material, the pushing exerted by the second locking member will cause the spring to flex, moving the holding surface and thereby allowing the acting element to move into the front position. Fig. 24 shows how the second locking element acts on the retaining spring, seen from above. The holding spring further comprises a pushing portion 236 which pushes the acting element towards the front position, thus ensuring a forward movement of the acting element.

Fig. 25 shows an example of the operation of the holding spring 231 together with the second locking element 72 and the acting element 40. In the figure it can be seen that the acting element comprises a ramp 251, against which ramp 251 the retaining surface 233 of the spring can abut when the acting element is in the retracted position. In this example the acting element is still in the retracted position, the second locking element has just pushed the release surface 232 of the spring, whereby the spring flexes and the holding surface 233 moves away from the ramp 251. The acting element can now move to the front position. The urging portion 236 of the spring ensures this movement.

Fig. 26 is an exemplary flow chart of a method according to the present invention. Since the locking device according to the invention comprises operations which are not present in prior art devices, the invention also relates to an operating method for the locking device according to the invention. This method provides 126 the possibility to vary the width of the space between the first locking member and the acting element in the lock unit and facilitates 226 various operation modes of the lock. Changing the width of the gap thus means changing the position of the acting element, and establishing the operating mode means that the above-mentioned position of the acting element, together with the state of the safety catch (on, off, push down) forms the operating mode of the lock. These operations 126, 226 are basic operations that may be accomplished through other operations.

In order to lock the lock, the space therein is locked 326 in a width such that in the above-mentioned installation position it is necessary to keep the second locking element of the counterpart in the space for locking the lock unit and the counterpart together.

In addition, for unlocking, the possibility of unlocking 426 is provided, thus allowing the width of the gap to be increased in order to allow the second locking element to move out of the gap. The method may also include an auxiliary operation whereby the gap maintains 526 a wider width as it is wider until such maintenance is released, thereby allowing the width of the gap to decrease.

Fig. 27 to 29 depict another drive configuration 262 and embodiment of the safety catch 261. In these figures it can be seen that the safety catch 261 comprises two arms 265, 268, the other two ends of which are hinged 266 together. The first arm 265 has also been hinged 264 on the lower end 263 of the acting element 40. The lower end 263 is preferably chamfered. The end of the first arm 265 that includes the hinge 266 for forming a hinge with the second arm 268 also includes a bracket 267 for forming a toggle joint with the other end 269 of the second arm. The other end 269 of the second arm comprises a locking surface for the first arm support 267 and also forms a support point against the lock body (not shown in the figures). The support point is fixed, for example by a screw (not shown), which allows the end 269 of the second arm to rotate.

The transmission arrangement 262 of fig. 27-29 has been connected to the safety catch 261 by means of a transmission arm 2610. The drive configuration also includes a drive wheel 2614 and a worm gear 2611. One end of the transfer arm 2610 is already connected to the hinge point 266 of the arm of the safety catch. The other end of the transfer arm is connected to the driver 2614, and more specifically, to the driver's connecting pin 2615.

The drive wheel includes a central bore and a drive bore 2616. The worm gear includes a center pin 2613, a drive pin 2612, and a cutting tooth 291 on the edge of the worm gear. The drive wheel is attached to the worm gear such that the drive pin 2612 passes through the drive aperture 2616 and the central pin 2613 passes through the central aperture. The edge of the worm wheel covers the driving wheel. Figure 30 shows the drive wheel and worm gear. A spring 2617 is located between the two wheels. A spring is disposed around the central pin 2613 of the worm gear with a first end of the spring attached to the worm gear and a second end of the spring attached to the driver as shown in fig. 27-29.

The cutting teeth 291 of the worm wheel are matched to the thread of the drive screw 92, i.e. the worm, the drive screw 92 being fixed on the axis of the motor 91 by means of a coupling gear 2618. A coupling mechanism 2618 is provided between the axis of the motor and the worm for preventing the screw from being locked and for saving electrical energy. The coupling mechanism slides in the desired situation, in which case the transmission from the motor to the worm wheel is cut off.

In fig. 27, the acting element 40 is in the front position. When the toggle joint is at the safety angle, the safety catch 261 locks. When the drive pin 2612 is in the desired position, the worm gear has been driven counter-clockwise by the motor to a locked position. When driven to the locked position, the spring 2617 has been simultaneously tensioned. When the door is closed, the tension is released to rotate the drive wheel, thereby actuating the transfer arm and locking the toggle joint. A small pre-tension is maintained on the spring 2617. In other words, fig. 27 shows the situation where the door is closed and the lock is locked.

Fig. 28 shows a situation in which the safety catch 261 has been driven open by the motor 91. The worm has rotated the worm wheel 2611 clockwise via the connection between the threads and the cut tooth 291. The drive pin 2612 of the worm gear in the drive hole 2616 has also forced the drive wheel to rotate. Rotation of the drive wheel has driven the transfer arm 2610 to move, thereby actuating the toggle joint to open. The spring 2617 has moved but is not forced into any additional tension. In other words, fig. 28 shows the situation where the door is closed and the lock is open.

If the door is driven open when the lock is unlocked, the acting element 40 moves to the rear end position, as shown in fig. 29. The arms 265, 268 of the safety catch 261 rotate relative to the hinge points of the arms, allowing the acting element to move back. The transfer arm 2610 also moves to simultaneously rotate the drive wheel clockwise. At this time, the worm wheel does not rotate. The drive pin remains stationary in the drive aperture 2616 that moves along the drive wheel. At this point, however, the spring 2617 is forced into additional tension. In other words, fig. 29 shows a case where the door is opened and the lock is unlocked.

The acting element 40 is held in the rear position by means of a holding spring 231, but when the door is closed, the extra tension of the spring causes the driving wheel to be turned counter-clockwise. The movement of the driving wheel drives the safety catch 261 in the locked position of fig. 27 or in the open position of fig. 28. If the worm wheel is driven counterclockwise to the locking position as shown in fig. 29 when the door is opened or when the door is closed, the safety catch 261 moves to the locking position. In this way, the spring is subjected to more tension for moving the safety catch into the locking position.

As mentioned above, the width of the locking space is such that the second locking element has just enough space there, so that the second locking element remains in the space due to the shape of the space, which is caused by the design of the locking element and the acting element. There are many alternative designs. For example, the above-mentioned surface of the clamping bracket need not be straight (straight on both sides of the bracket or on the other side), but the surface may conform to the shape of the other surface, i.e. it may be concave, for example. The locking element and the acting element can thus for example have a cylindrical shape (concave on one side and convex on the other side).

Due to the shape, geometry, mutual operation and friction surfaces of the individual parts of the lock according to the invention, an opening force of, for example, approximately 500 newton acts on the reel of the safety catch with a smaller force, preferably with a force of only approximately 80-90 newton. If the safety catch moves by 1 mm, only a relatively small force, preferably only 10 newtons, is required to overcome the friction and rolling resistance. The gearing arrangement also reduces the necessary power output from the motor and, because the movement of the safety catch is short, the energy required is less than 100mJ, preferably only about 10 mJ. In this way, no expensive and complicated gearing is required for the motor, because of the short movements and the small forces, but instead a simple threaded toothed rod and lever can drive the motor in rotation, which produces the necessary movement of the safety catch. The necessary torque can be easily formed using a small dc motor, for example. The motor operating time per unlocking/locking is very short because the required motor revolutions are small and no separate reduction gear transmission is required because of the low torque.

The system according to the invention thus uses much less energy for unlocking and locking than prior art locks. The lock itself, e.g. the latch, does not move, but only the safety catch moves a short distance (a few millimeters). In addition, the locking device according to the present invention utilizes the door opening force and the door closing force. The door opening force pushes the acting element of the lock into the retracted position and the door closing force releases the acting element back to the front position. The various elements according to the invention lock the door and the frame to each other so that if an attempt is made to open the door by wedging something into the door gap at the locking location, such wedging will actually push the lock closer together.

In addition, in the locking device according to the present invention, it is not necessary to use separate sensors to indicate, for example, whether the door is opened, the lock is locked, and the lock is opened, but one sensor may be used to indicate all of these states. When the sensor detects the position of the safety catch, sufficient information about the state of the lock is produced.

The locking device according to the invention is formed by a number of solutions. The locking device may comprise more than one lock, for example on each door etc. The lock unit may be provided in the door frame and the counterpart may be provided in the door, or vice versa. The lock may additionally be controlled via wires attached to the lock, as well as via wireless communication if the lock has a wireless communication interface (e.g., a small radio transmitter/receiver). Thus, the lock of the larger housing can also be centrally controlled. When the door is locked, the power source and/or controller may be introduced into the lock via the interface in the door and the door frame.

The above-described gripping bracket may be secured to the lock body in a variety of ways. For example, instead of the clamping bracket being fixed at one end, it may also be fixed above and below it. In addition, the clamping brackets, in particular the clamping brackets fixed to the lock unit, can be sunk into the lock body in a certain manner. In a different solution, there must be a space between the first locking member and the acting element, into which space the second locking member can enter and be locked (it can be wedged in as described).

In addition, the clamping surface of the acting element, i.e. the clamping bracket, has been described as a protruding boss, however, it could also be a groove. In this embodiment, the shape of the recess conforms to the shape of the first locking member. In this context, a clamping bracket is thus to be understood as a projection or recess of an acting element. The clamping brackets may also be structurally separate. In which case the clamping bracket can be manufactured separately and then fixed to the arm.

The safety catch need not comprise a spool. The arm of the safety catch may also comprise a part of another shape which provides sufficient support for the acting element when the safety catch is on and which allows the acting element to move to the withdrawn position when the safety catch is off. In other words, the construction of the safety catch may differ from what is presented in this disclosure.

The power required for the lock operation does not have to come from an electric motor but can be generated in other ways, for example by means of a solenoid or mechanically (conventional mechanical key).

Based on the foregoing it should be apparent that the present invention can be practiced in a variety of ways other than as described herein. The invention is thus not limited to the embodiments described herein, but may be implemented by a number of different solutions falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims (37)

1. A locking device comprising a lock unit and a counter part for locking together a lockable part in which the lock unit and the counter part can be mounted,

the lock unit comprising a first locking member having a first free end, the first locking member being substantially transverse to the swing axis of the rotatable part of the lockable part when in the mounted position,

the counter part comprising a second locking element having a second free end, the second locking element being substantially transverse to the axis of oscillation of the rotatable part of the lockable part when in the mounted position,

said first and second locking members being arranged for operation together such that when said lock unit and said counter part are brought together in their mounted position and said lockable part is in its closed position, said first and second locking members overlap each other,

the device comprising an acting element having an arm, the first end of the acting element comprising a hinge mechanism and the arm comprising a gripping bracket, and the acting element being fixed to the body of the lock unit by means of the hinge mechanism, whereby the arm is rotatable in relation to the hinge point formed by the hinge mechanism,

when various modes of locking can be formed according to the position of the arm, and the arm is controllably supported, the locking is achieved,

the arm is arranged to function transversely to the first and second locking members for achieving said locking, so that in this mounting position the overlapping locking member together with the acting member prevents the lock unit and the counter part from moving out of the mutually abutting position by clamping the lock unit and the counter part against each other.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lock unit comprises a safety catch for the acting element for the controlled support thereof,

the acting element is locked in a front position for achieving said locking by means of a safety catch, whereby the safety catch is on, an

The opening of the lock may be achieved by a safety catch, such that the safety catch is disengaged and the acting element is allowed to move into the withdrawn position.

3. An arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the first locking member is a bracket whose one end is fixed to the lock unit body, and the second locking member is a bracket whose one end is fixed to the counter part body, the free ends of the brackets of the first and second locking members allowing the brackets to be in an overlapping position.

4. An arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that a space exists between the first locking member and the acting element, the width of the space depending on the position of the acting element,

whereby the space is in its widest state when the acting element is in the withdrawn position and in its narrowest state when the acting element is in its front position, in which the space is arranged such that the second locking element has enough space for itself to be in the overlapping position.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the locking is closed when the acting element is in the front position and the safety catch is on and the two locking elements overlap each other,

when the safety catch is open while the acting element is still in the front position and the two locking elements overlap each other, the locking is open, in which state the force acting on the lock unit or the counter part to separate the lock unit from the counter part pulls the second locking element out of the space, whereby the second locking element will simultaneously push the acting element into the withdrawn position, whereby the second free end of the second locking element will move past the first free end of the first locking element.

6. A device according to claim 5, characterised in that the device comprises a holding spring for holding the acting element in the retracted position, whereby the lock is open when the acting element is in the retracted position.

7. A device according to claim 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, characterised in that the safety catch comprises a spool, the centre point of which is located on the acting element side, and when the safety catch is switched on, the periphery of which bears on a counter surface formed by the rear edge of the arm,

when the safety catch is off, the central portion of the spool is located outside the rear edge of the arm, so that the spool allows the arm to be moved into its withdrawn position by an external force.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the safety catch includes an arm to which the spool is secured, and

the arm of the safety catch is fixed at its fixed end via a second hinge to the body of the lock unit and at its other end to the structure of the transmission construction,

whereas the arm of the safety catch can be moved with respect to the second hinge point formed by the second hinge by means of a power acting on the acting element or transmitted via the transmission construction.

9. A device according to claim 8, characterised in that the force transmitted by the transmission arrangement drives the arm of the safety catch so that the centre point of the reel is located on the side of the rear edge of the arm of the safety catch or outside it.

10. A device according to claim 9, characterised in that the transmission means comprise a transmission arm, one end of which is hinged to the arm of the safety catch and the other end of which is hinged to the other transmission means.

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that said further transmission configuration comprises a transmission screw, a transmission spring and a support arm hinged at one end thereof to the body of the lock unit and at the other end thereof to the transmission arm,

the transmission spring is substantially U-shaped, one end of which is supported on the thread of the transmission screw and the other end of which is supported on the central portion of the support arm, the transmission spring being additionally supported on the body of the lock unit at its bend,

the force of turning the screw thus drives the end of the transmission spring that is supported in the thread of the transmission screw, whereby the movement of the spring drives the support arm and the transmission arm, and thus also the arm of the safety catch, via the fixing of the support arm.

12. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that said further transmission means comprise a transmission screw, a transmission arm and a support arm hinged at one end thereof to the body of the lock unit and at the other end thereof to the transmission arm,

the driving arm is fixed at one end thereof to the thread of the driving screw and is fixed at a central portion thereof to the transfer arm,

the force of turning the screw will thus drive the end of the actuator arm supported in the thread, and this movement of the actuator arm will thus drive the transfer arm, which will also result in an arm movement of the safety catch.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the drive screw is connected to a motor for generating a force to rotate the screw.

14. A device according to claim 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, characterised in that the safety catch comprises a first arm and a second arm which have been hinged together at their first ends, forming a toggle joint between the arms, the second end of the first arm being hinged to the lower end of the acting element and the second end of the second arm being hinged to the body of the lock unit.

15. The device of claim 14, comprising a transmission configuration comprising a transmission arm, a drive wheel, a worm gear, and a guide mechanism between the two wheels and a drive screw,

the transfer arm is connected to the hinge between the first arm and the second arm and to the drive wheel,

the drive wheel being inserted into the worm wheel and being rotatable relative to the worm wheel, the drive wheel and the worm wheel having a common axis point and being rotatable relative to the axis point, the drive wheel and the worm wheel being rotatable relative to one another in a desired manner via the guide mechanism,

when the worm wheel is turned by a twisting force, the driver wheel is associated with the drive screw, which in turn turns the driver wheel and the transfer arm, thereby driving the safety catch in a desired manner.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the drive wheel comprises a connecting pin for the transfer arm, a central bore, and a drive bore; the worm wheel comprises a central pin, a transmission pin and a cutting tooth positioned on the edge of the worm wheel,

the driving wheel is connectable to the worm wheel such that the driving pin passes through the driving hole and the center pin passes through the center hole,

the device further comprises a tensioning spring, which is arranged between the two wheels and surrounds the centre pin,

said central bore and said central pin forming a common axis point, and

the drive hole, the drive pin and the spring form the guide mechanism.

17. A device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the device comprises a coupling mechanism by means of which the drive screw can be connected to an electric motor.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, comprising a controller connected to the motor.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the controller is configured to control the motor in response to an external signal.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the drive screw is connected to a mechanical power device.

21. The device of claim 5 wherein said first free end is beveled on a side of an inner edge of said leg of said first locking member,

the second free end comprises a bevel on the side of the inner edge of the legs of the second locking member, which bevel facilitates the overlapping movement of the two legs.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein an inner edge of the first locking member includes a notch behind the ramp as viewed from the first free end,

the outer edge of the second locking element comprises a convexly curved surface adjacent to or starting from the second free end,

and said curved surface of said second locking member and said inclined surface of the inner edge of said first locking member both terminate in the arm of the leg of said second locking member at a point where the arm of said acting member begins to bend outwardly, thereby forming a bend in front of the fixed end of the leg of said second locking member,

the recess is thus held between the curved surface and the curved portion,

the acting element comprises a projection of the clamp bracket, which projection is located in the position of the recess of the bracket of the second locking element when the space is in its narrowest state and the clamp bracket and the bracket of the second locking element overlap, so that in this position the inner surface located in the position of the recess of the second locking element is additionally located in the notch of the first locking element.

23. A device according to claim 22, characterised in that the surface of the boss of the gripping bracket is substantially flat on both sides of the boss or on the side of the boss on which the force from the second locking element is applied.

24. The device of claim 6, wherein the arm includes a recess in which a retaining surface of the retaining spring is locatable when the arm is moved into the retracted position such that the arm is in the retracted position.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the retention spring comprises a release bracket, and wherein a force acting on the release bracket drives the retention surface out of the recess via the release bracket so that the arm is movable to the forward position.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the second free end of the second locking member pushes the release bracket of the retention spring when the second free end of the second locking member passes the first free end of the first locking member and the brackets of the first and second locking members move to the overlapping position.

27. A device according to claim 26, characterised in that the lock unit comprises a friction surface, which, when an opening force acts on the gripping bracket of the acting element, is located on that side of the side edge of the arm of the acting element which serves as a bearing surface, wherein the friction surface and the bearing surface are in contact with each other during the action of the opening force.

28. A device according to claim 27, characterised in that the friction surface is substantially in the level of the gripping bracket of the acting element.

29. A device according to claim 28, characterised in that the second locking member is fixed to the counterpart via a second hinge, whereby the second locking member can be moved in relation to the hinge point formed by the hinge.

30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the counterpart member is provided with a recess in which the first locking member is seated when the lock unit is in the mounted position.

31. An arrangement according to claim 30, characterised in that the first and second locking members and the acting element are designed to prevent the lock unit and the counter part from moving out of the position against each other.

32. A device according to claim 31, characterised in that the locking device comprises a sensor for detecting the position of the safety catch.

33. A device according to claim 32, wherein the counter part comprises a spring for holding the second locking element in a desired position.

34. A method for operating a locking arrangement comprising a lock unit and a counter part mountable on a structure to be locked for mutual locking, characterized in that the lock unit is provided with a first locking element and an acting element, a space being formed between the first locking element and the acting element, the counter part is provided with a second locking element,

and said first locking member comprises a first free end and said second locking member comprises a second free end, whereby said first and second locking members are positioned to overlap each other when said lock unit and said counter part are in an installation position against each other, i.e. said structure to be locked is against each other in its closed position,

in the method, by means of the components of the locking device:

the spacing between the first locking member and the acting element can be varied,

various operation modes of the lock unit can be realized, an

The space can be locked in a width such that in the mounted position the second locking element of the counter part in the space remains in the space, thereby locking the lock unit and the counter part to each other.

35. The method according to claim 34, characterized in that the width of the locked space is arranged such that the second locking element has just enough space there, whereby the second locking element is held in the space by the shape of the space, which is caused by the design of the first and second locking elements and the acting element.

36. A method according to claim 34 or 35, wherein the locking is opened, thereby allowing the width of the space to be increased, whereby the second locking element can be moved out of the space.

37. A method according to claim 36, wherein when the spacing is wider, the spacing is kept wider until the lock is released, allowing the spacing to become narrower.