Patent Description:
<CIT> shows an electromechanical locking system that comprises a lock core, a tailpiece and an electrically-operated clutch mechanism for rotatably coupling the tailpiece to the lock core. Further, the lock core includes a keyway for a key having an electrical power source and electrical connection means which provides an electrical connection with the electrical power source of the key.

However, this electromechanical locking system is considered to be complex, which render it cumbersome to manufacture, assemble and use with different kind of lock sets.

An object of the present invention is to at least partly overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide an improved electromechanical lock assembly.

According to a first aspect of the invention, this and other objects are achieved, in full or at least partly, by an electromechanical lock assembly, which is configured to be powered upon insertion of a programmable key in a key receptacle, said lock assembly comprising a lock body, a lock core located at least partially within the lock body and selectively rotatable with respect to the lock body, the lock core including a key receptacle for receiving a programmable key, a lock bolt operating member rotationally secured to the lock core and configured to move a lock bolt of a lock for locking and unlocking said lock, and an electronic access control device, wherein the lock assembly further comprises an annular element which is rotatably and axially displaceably mounted on said lock core, a coupling device arranged to communicate with said electronic access control device and, upon the insertion of an appropriate key in the key receptacle, rotationally lock the annular element to the lock core, thereby enabling rotation of the lock core and thereby enabling locking and unlocking of said lock with said appropriate key, and a blocking arrangement comprising a retaining device arranged to prevent said annular element from rotating together with said lock core when the lock core is rotated with an inappropriate key, one contact surface situated on the lock core, one contact surface situated on said annular element and a stationary blocking member, wherein said contact surfaces being configured to, upon rotation of said lock core relative to said annular element, axially move said annular element into engagement with said stationary blocking member, thereby blocking further rotation of the lock core and thereby prevent unauthorized locking and unlocking of said lock.

Upon the insertion of an appropriate key, the coupling device thus couples the annular element to the lock core, which prevents the lock core from rotating together relative to the annular element and thereby enables locking and unlocking rotation of the lock core. The coupling device thus serves to enable locking and unlocking rotation of the lock core and the lock operating member which is arranged to rotate together with the lock core. The annular element is maintained in a non-blocking position as long as an appropriate key is inserted in the key receptacle. The lock core is formed as an integral part and the lock bolt operating member is never disengaged from the lock core. In this solution there is thus no need to rotationally couple separate parts of a lock core. This enables a simple solution having few parts and that is easy to manufacture and assemble. Also, it provides for a solution that can be used together with different types of lock sets in an easy manner. Furthermore, this solution allows the use of an electrical actuator to be minimized, which provides for a very power efficient solution.

If the lock core is rotated using an inapproriate key, the annular element is moved into a blocking position, in which it engages each of the lock core and the stationary blocking member. Then, the annular element, blocks further rotation of the lock core. In this manner, the blocking arrangement blocks unauthorized locking and unlocking rotation of the lock core, and consequently unauthorized locking and unlocking of an associated lock, in a robust and reliable manner. The blocking arrangement thus provides for a very robust and reliable solution.

Hence, especially in view of to <CIT>, a less complex solution having fewer parts may be achieved. Furthermore, a solution in which the lock core and lock operating member rotate instantly when using an appropriate key is achived. Also, a solution in which the lock core cannot be rotated more than just a few degrees with an inappropriate key, is provided.

Furthermore, the electromechanical lock assembly may require the need of an electrical actuator under only a very short period of time. This has the advantage that the assembly requires very little power to operate.

According to one embodiment the coupling device comprises an electric actuator arranged to move a coupling member from a rest position, in which it allows the lock core to rotate relative to the annular element, to a coupling position in which it rotationally locks said annular element to said lock core.

The coupling device may thus comprise an electric actuator, such as e.g. a solenoid, having a coupling member being movable between a rest position, in which the movable member is situated when the electric actuator is powerless, and a coupling position, in which the coupling member is situated when the electric actuator is powered and in which it rotationally locks the annular element to the lock core.

According to one embodiment the annular element is movable between a non-blocking position, to which it is biased by a biasing member, and a blocking position.

According to one embodiment the coupling member is pivotable or rotatable between said rest position and said coupling position. In this embodiment a coupling member in the form of a pivotable arm or a rotatable disc may thus be used.

According to one embodiment the coupling member is linearly displaceable between said rest position and said coupling position. In this embodiment a coupling member in the form of a linearly displaceable rod may thus be used.

According to one embodiment the electric actuator is a solenoid, which has the advantage that an assembly with very low power consumption may be achieved.

According to one embodiment said retainer device comprises a retaining member which is received in a recess formed in the annular element, which provides for a very robust and reliable solution.

According to one embodiment said retaining member is a ball and preferably a spring biased ball.

According to one embodiment said recess is an axial groove.

According to one embodiment the lock assembly further comprises an axial movement limiting device arranged to limit axial movement of the annular element relative to the lock core. The axial movement limiting device thus maintains the annular element rotationally coupled to the lock core. This allows for an assembly with even less power consumption, since the electrical actuator need to be powered only in the initial phase of the rotation of the lock core, i.e. under a very short period of time when rotation of the lock core relative to the annular element is initiated. The axial movement limiting device is thus arranged to maintain the annular element in a non-blocking position.

According to one embodiment the axial movement limiting device comprises at least one ball received in a radial groove formed in the annular element, which provides for a very robust and reliable solution.

According to one embodiment the lock body is cylindrical.

Further advantages and characteristics of the invention emerge from the description below and from the following patent claims.

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, which show examples of presently preferred embodiments of the invention.

The invention will now for the purpose of exemplification be described in more detailed by means of examples and with reference of the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and to fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled addressee.

<FIG> illustrates an electromechanical lock assembly, in the form of an electromechanical lock cylinder <NUM>, according to a first embodiment of the invention that forms part of an electromechanical lock <NUM> arranged at a door <NUM>.

The electromechanical lock cylinder <NUM> is connected to an existing locking mechanism <NUM> of the electromechanical lock <NUM>. The door <NUM> may be a front door to a building such as a house or to an apartment. The electromechanical lock cylinder <NUM> is arranged in connection with a first bore <NUM> on the exterior side of the door <NUM> and an interior locking device (not shown), like a knob, on the interior side of the door <NUM>.

As in a common door, having a door lock, a lock housing <NUM> holding the locking mechanism <NUM> is arranged in a cavity of the door <NUM>. The locking mechanism <NUM> and the lock housing <NUM> are of common sort, which are well known in the art, and not described in detail here. The locking mechanism <NUM> may be of any kind known in the art which is arranged in a lock housing in a cavity of a door <NUM>. As is also well known in the art, the locking mechanism <NUM> cooperates, via a lock bolt <NUM> with a striking plate (not shown) arranged in a door frame (not shown) to lock the door <NUM>. The locking mechanism <NUM> controls the lock bolt <NUM> via the electromechanical lock cylinder <NUM> from the exterior side of the door <NUM> and via the interior locking device from the interior side of the door <NUM> in a well known manner. The locking mechanism <NUM> is coupled to the lock bolt <NUM> by a conventional coupling means (not shown) so as to actuate the lock bolt <NUM>.

The electromechanical lock cylinder <NUM> comprises a lock body, in the form of a cylinder body <NUM>, a lock core <NUM> located within the cylinder body <NUM> and a lock bolt operating member <NUM>. The lock core <NUM> is selectively rotatable with respect to the cylinder body <NUM>. A fixing device is arranged to prevent the lock core <NUM> from being retracted from the cylinder body <NUM>. This fixing device may comprise balls (not shown) partly received in a radial groove (not shown) formed in the cylinder body <NUM> and partly received in a radial groove <NUM> formed in the lock core <NUM>. The lock bolt operating member <NUM> is rotationally secured to the lock core <NUM>. To this end the lock operating member <NUM> is provided with a recess <NUM> configured to receive a projecting portion (not shown) of the lock core <NUM>. The lock bolt operating member <NUM> is thus arranged to rotate together with the lock core <NUM>. The lock bolt operating member <NUM> is configured to operate the lock bolt <NUM> of the locking mechanism <NUM> for locking and unlocking the lock <NUM>. To this end, the lock bolt operating member <NUM> has a projecting portion <NUM> which is arranged to be received in a recess <NUM> of the locking mechanism <NUM>.

Now referring to <FIG>, the electromechanical lock cylinder <NUM> comprises the cylinder body <NUM>, the lock core <NUM>, a coupling device <NUM>, an annular element <NUM>, a retainer device <NUM>, an axial movement limiting device <NUM>, a biasing member in the form of a spring <NUM>, and a stationary blocking member <NUM>. The lock core <NUM>, which is formed as an integral part, comprises a key receptacle <NUM> for receiving a programmable key. Such a programmable key, which is used to operate an electromechanical lock, comprises an energy source, such as a battery, and a control unit powered by the energy source. The key can access a cloud based or locally hosted access control system which transfer authorization data to the key or log information from the key via internet and a synchronization unit or via a mobile communication system such as the GSM net and a mobile device, such as a mobile phone. In one embodiment the mobile device is the key itself. The key is accessed from the synchronization unit or the mobile device by a physical contact, by near field communication, such as NFC, or by radio communication, such as Bluetooth. The key can store all data necessary to access at least one specific electromechanical key lock, but cannot access any electromechanical locks for which it does not have the appropriate authorization data. Locking and unlocking of a lock using the programmable key is rendered possible only if the programmable key is synchronized appropriately via the synchronization unit or a mobile device. Further, such a programmable key is provided with means by which electrical power, data and mechanical effort can be transmitted to the lock in a known manner. The electromechanical lock cylinder <NUM> is configured to be powered by and communicate with such a programmable key upon the insertion of the key in the key receptacle <NUM>. To this end the electromechanical lock cylinder <NUM> comprises power receiving means, communication means and an electrical control unit. The electromechanical lock cylinder <NUM> further comprises an access control device <NUM> for controlling access of a key inserted in the key receptacle <NUM>. Also, the key receptacle <NUM> of the lock core <NUM> is configured such that the lock core <NUM> rotates together with a programmable key.

The annular element <NUM> is rotatably and axially displaceably mounted on the hollow lock core portion <NUM>. The coupling device <NUM> is accommodated inside the hollow lock core portion <NUM> and secured thereto so as to rotate together therewith. The coupling device <NUM> is arranged to, upon the insertion of an appropriate key in the key receptacle <NUM>, rotationally couple the annular element <NUM> to the lock core <NUM>. To this end the coupling device <NUM> comprises an electric actuator <NUM> which is configured to communicate with the access control device. The electric actuator <NUM> has a pivotable arm <NUM>, as illustrated by arrow A in <FIG>. The pivotable arm <NUM> is movable between a rest position, in which rotation of the annular element <NUM> relative to the lock core <NUM> is allowed, and a coupling position in which the annular element <NUM> is rotationally coupled to the lock core <NUM> by the coupling arm <NUM>. To this end the annular element <NUM> has a coupling recess <NUM> which is configured to receive the coupling arm <NUM> of the coupling device <NUM>.

The coupling device <NUM> is thus arranged to, upon the insertion of an appropriate key in the key receptacle <NUM>, rotationally lock the annular element <NUM> to the lock core <NUM>, which enables locking and unlocking rotation of the lock core <NUM> and thereby enables locking and unlocking of the lock <NUM>, as will be described in detail later with reference to <FIG>.

A first end of the annular element <NUM> forms an engagement portion 27a which is configured to mate an engagement portion 17a of the lock core <NUM>. The engagement portion 17a of the lock core <NUM> comprises a first contact surface forming a first ramp surface <NUM> and the engagement portion 27a of the annular element <NUM> comprises a second contact surface forming a second ramp surface <NUM>. The first and second ramp surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> together form a sliding interface capable of, upon rotation of the lock core <NUM> relative to the annular element <NUM>, axially displacing the annular element <NUM> in a direction toward the stationary blocking member <NUM> into engagement with an engagement portion thereof. Upon such engagement further rotation of the lock core <NUM> is prevented. To this end a second end of the annular element <NUM> is provided with a blocking portion 27b configured to engage the engagement portion <NUM> of the stationary blocking member <NUM>. The annular element <NUM> is thus movable between a non-blocking position, to which it is biased by the spring <NUM>, and a blocking position. The annular element <NUM> is biased against the lock core <NUM> by the spring <NUM> to secure that the ramp surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> of the sliding interface always are in contact with each other.

The first retainer device <NUM> is arranged to prevent the annular element <NUM> from rotating together with the lock core <NUM> when it is rotated with an inappropriate key, i.e. when the coupling arm <NUM> is situated in the rest position. To this end the first retainer device <NUM> comprises a spring biased ball <NUM> which is received in an axial groove <NUM> formed in the annular element <NUM>.

The stationary blocking member <NUM>, which in this case is formed by a ring, is secured to the cylinder body <NUM>. The engagement portion <NUM> of the sleeve <NUM> comprises axially extending recesses <NUM> facing the blocking portion 27b of the annular element <NUM>. The recesses <NUM> of the stationary blocking member <NUM> are configured to interact with teeth <NUM> of the blocking portion 27b of the annular element <NUM>. In this embodiment the stationary blocking member <NUM> is thus formed as a separate part which is secured to the cylinder body <NUM> and thereby stationary. It is however appreciated that a stationary brake/blocking member may be formed as projecting portion(s) of the cylinder body itself.

The axial movement limiting device <NUM> is arranged to prevent axial movement of the annular element <NUM> upon rotation of the lock core <NUM> with an appropriate key. To this end the axial movement limiting device <NUM> comprises a spring biased ball <NUM> which is received in an axial groove <NUM> formed in the annular element <NUM>.

The ramp surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, the first retainer device <NUM>, the blocking portion 27b of the annular sleeve <NUM> and the engagement portion <NUM> of the stationary blocking member <NUM> together form part of a blocking arrangement <NUM> that serves to prevent unauthorized rotation of the lock core <NUM> and thereby prevent unauthorized locking and unlocking of the lock <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG> and Figs. 4A-C, the function of the electromechanical lock cylinder <NUM> will now be described.

<FIG> illustrates a state in which an appropriate key <NUM> is inserted in the key receptacle <NUM> of the lock core <NUM> and the lock core <NUM> is situated in a position which corresponds to a locked state of the electromechanical lock <NUM>. Then, the projecting portion <NUM> of the lock bolt operating member <NUM> typically extends in a vertical direction. Upon insertion of the key <NUM> in the key receptacle <NUM> power is transferred to a power receiving means (not shown) of the lock core <NUM> for powering of the electromechanical lock cylinder <NUM>. Also, the access control device controls whether it is an appropriate key or not. In case an appropriate key <NUM> is inserted, as in this case, the electric actuator <NUM> is activated whereby the coupling arm <NUM> thereof is moved from its rest position, illustrated in <FIG>, to its coupling position, in which it is received in the coupling recess <NUM> of the annular element <NUM>, as illustrated by arrow A in <FIG>. Then, the annular element <NUM> is rotationally coupled to the lock core <NUM>. Turning of the key <NUM>, as illustrated by arrow B in <FIG>, then causes the annular element <NUM> to rotate together with the lock core <NUM> and the lock operating member <NUM>, as illustrated by arrows C in <FIG>, thereby enabling unlocking of the lock <NUM>. Upon turning of the appropriate key <NUM> the spring biased ball <NUM> of the retainer device <NUM> is displaced form the axial groove <NUM>, as illustrated by arrow D in <FIG>.

When the coupling arm <NUM> is moved to the coupling position, rotation of the lock core <NUM> to unlock the lock <NUM> is thus enabled. The coupling arm <NUM> may be held in the coupling position during the complete rotation of the lock core <NUM> during unlocking of the lock <NUM> or during only an initial phase thereof. In the latter case, the coupling arm <NUM> need to be held in the coupling position until the retaining member <NUM> of the retaining device <NUM> has been displaced from its retaining position in the axial groove <NUM>.

Upon rotation of the lock core <NUM> using the appropriate key <NUM>, the ball <NUM> of the axial limiting device <NUM> is received in the radial groove <NUM> to prevent axial movement of the annular element <NUM>. The axial movement limiting device <NUM> thereby secures that the blocking teeth <NUM> of the annular element <NUM> are separated from the recesses <NUM> of the stationary blocking element <NUM> upon rotation of the lock core <NUM> with an appropriate key <NUM>. The axial limiting device <NUM> serves to minimize the use of the coupling device <NUM>. Hence, thanks to the axial limiting device <NUM> the electrical actuator of the coupling device <NUM> need to be powered only in an initial phase of the rotation of the lock core <NUM>, i.e. under a very short period of time, which is allows for an assembly with a very low power consumption. The electromechanical lock cylinder <NUM> thus comprises an electric actuator, which may be in the form of a solenoid, to enable rotation of the lock core <NUM> so as to unlock the lock <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a state in which an inappropriate key <NUM> is inserted in the key receptacle <NUM> of the lock core <NUM> and the lock core <NUM> is situated in a first position which corresponds to a locked state of the electromechanical lock <NUM> and in which the projecting portion <NUM> of the lock bolt operating member <NUM> extends in a vertical direction.

Upon insertion of the inappropriate key <NUM> in the key receptacle <NUM> power is transferred to the lock core <NUM> in the same manner as described hereinbefore with reference to <FIG>. Also, the access control device controls whether it is an appropriate key or not. In this case, in which an inappropriate key <NUM> is inserted, the coupling device <NUM> is not activated. The coupling arm <NUM> then remains in the rest position which position is illustrated in <FIG>. Then, rotation of the lock core <NUM> relative to the annular element <NUM> is possible, as illustrated by arrow F in <FIG>. Rotation of the lock core <NUM> relative the annular element <NUM> is enabled by the retainer device <NUM>, the retaining ball <NUM> of which prevents the annular element <NUM> from rotating with the lock core <NUM>. The spring biased ball <NUM>, which is received in the axial groove <NUM>, thus prevents the annular element <NUM> from rotating as the lock core <NUM> rotates. Turning of the key <NUM>, as illustrated by arrow E in <FIG>, then causes the ramp surface <NUM> of the lock core <NUM> to slide against the ramp surface <NUM> of the annular element <NUM> and thereby the annular element <NUM> to move into engagement with the stationary blocking element <NUM>, as illustrated by arrows G in <FIG>, thereby preventing further rotation of the lock core <NUM> in the actual direction. Unlocking of the lock <NUM> is then prevented. More specifically, upon axial movement of the annular sleeve <NUM> caused by rotation of the lock core <NUM> using an inappropriate key <NUM>, the teeth <NUM> of the annular element <NUM> are moved into the recesses <NUM> of the stationary blocking member <NUM>, which results in mechanical engagement that blocks further rotation of the lock core <NUM>. Hence, upon rotation of the lock core <NUM> with the coupling arm <NUM> in the rest position, the retaining ball <NUM> of the retainer device <NUM> prevents the annular element <NUM> to rotate together with the lock core <NUM>. Then, the ramp surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> slide relative each other and cause the annular element <NUM> to move axially in a direction towards the stationary member <NUM> until the engagement portion 27b engages the engagement portion <NUM> of the stationary blocking member <NUM>. Then, further rotation of the lock core <NUM> is mechanically blocked by the ramp surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> and the teeth <NUM> received in the blocking recesses <NUM>. Upon axial movement of the annular element <NUM> the retaining ball <NUM> is displaced, in the axial groove, relative to the lock core <NUM>, as illustrated by the dotted arrow in <FIG>.

Claim 1:
Electromechanical lock assembly (<NUM>), which is configured to be powered upon insertion of a programmable key (<NUM>) in a key receptacle (<NUM>), said lock assembly comprising
a lock body (<NUM>),
a lock core (<NUM>) located at least partially within the lock body (<NUM>) and selectively rotatable with respect to the lock body (<NUM>), the lock core (<NUM>) including a key receptacle (<NUM>) for receiving a programmable key (<NUM>),
a lock bolt operating member (<NUM>) rotationally secured to the lock core (<NUM>) and configured to move a lock bolt (<NUM>) of a lock (<NUM>) for locking and unlocking said lock (<NUM>), and
an electronic access control device (<NUM>),
characterized by
an annular element (<NUM>) which is rotatably and axially displaceably mounted on said lock core (<NUM>),
a coupling device (<NUM>) arranged to communicate with said electronic access control device and, upon the insertion of an appropriate key (<NUM>) in the key receptacle (<NUM>), rotationally lock the annular element (<NUM>) to the lock core (<NUM>), thereby enabling rotation of the lock core (<NUM>) and thereby enabling locking and unlocking of said lock (<NUM>) with said appropriate key (<NUM>), and
a blocking arrangement (<NUM>) comprising a retaining device (<NUM>) arranged to prevent said annular element (<NUM>) from rotating together with said lock core (<NUM>) when the lock core (<NUM>) is rotated with an inappropriate key (<NUM>), one contact surface (<NUM>) situated on the lock core (<NUM>), one contact surface (<NUM>) situated on said annular element (<NUM>) and a stationary blocking member (<NUM>), wherein said contact surfaces (<NUM>, <NUM>) being configured to, upon rotation of said lock core (<NUM>) relative to said annular element (<NUM>), axially move said annular element (<NUM>) into engagement with said stationary blocking member (<NUM>), thereby blocking further rotation of the lock core (<NUM>) and thereby prevent unauthorized locking and unlocking of said lock (<NUM>).