Patent ID: 6437684
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: E05B,G07C

Abstract:
An electronic key comprising, mounted in a key body, a key shank for insertion into a corresponding housing of a lock cylinder for the purpose of unlocking it, the cylinder having a stator portion and a rotor portion secured to a tongue, and including first mechanical means and first electronic means, and the key including second mechanical means and second electronic means for cooperating with the corresponding first means of the cylinder when the key is fully inserted in the cylinder and for causing the lock to be unlocked when an identity code of the key and a corresponding code of the lock match, the key being characterized in that the electronic means of the key (16, 18, 20) are powered from self-contained power generator means (14), including at least one piezoelectric element (70; 84) designed to generate electric charge from successive bending movements generated by the displacement of the shank of the key (82), in the body of the key (80; 118).