Patent Description:
In many existing mechanical lock cylinders, a key is rotated a full turn (<NUM> degrees) between a locked position and an unlocked position, and the user cannot retract the key from the lock cylinder unless the key is positioned in any of these two positions. In order to remove the key, the user thus has to position the key in either the locked position or in the unlocked position, where the key is typically vertically oriented.

Some electric lock systems comprise a mechanical lock case and an electric lock device for maneuvering the lock case. The lock device may comprise a rotatable input member, a rotatable output member and an electric coupling device selectively movable between an uncoupled state and a coupled state. A knob may be fixed to the input member for manual rotation of the input member. The output member may be a tailpiece engaging a lock follower of the lock case. By commanding the coupling device to adopt the coupled state, e.g. in response to a granted authorization request, the output member can be rotated by rotation of the knob to effect locking or unlocking of the lock system. The locking may comprise moving a bolt to a locked position in a strike opening of a strike plate. Conversely, the unlocking may comprise retracting the bolt from the strike opening to an unlocked position.

When the coupling device is in the uncoupled state, the knob and the input member can rotate freely. Since the coupling device can be brought to the coupled state at an arbitrary rotational position of the input member, the rotational position of the output member cannot be determined based on a rotational position of the input member. A user does therefore not know whether the lock system is locked or unlocked based on a rotational position of the knob.

In contrast to mechanical lock cylinders, the user of such electric lock system may not always know how much the knob has to be rotated to complete locking or unlocking. There is therefore a risk that the user leaves the lock system with a belief that it is locked when it is actually in a state where the bolt is positioned at an intermediate position between the locked position and the unlocked position. One reason for this risk is that it is easier to let go of the hand from the knob than to retract a key. Furthermore, the lock system may generate some sound when transitioning between the locked state and the unlocked state. Some users may take this sound as an indication that the lock system becomes locked/unlocked, when it does not. Moreover, a hook bolt may not be stable in its intermediate position. There is therefore a risk that the hook bolt moves from the intermediate position to the unlocked position, for example due to vibrations, after the user has intended to lock the lock system. If no measures are taken to prevent a user from leaving the bolt in an intermediate position, the lock system may fail to meet a lock standard.

<CIT> discloses a cylinder lock assembly comprising a lock core, a rotor, a coupling device configured to adopt a disengaged state and an engaged state, a master circuit board, a sensor and a rotation seat.

<CIT> discloses a door lock comprising a handle body, a handle socket, a rotary bar, a locking control unit, a controller operating the locking control unit, a latch bolt and a position sensor for detecting the position of the latch bolt. The rotary bar is received in an insertion hole of a rotary socket.

In order to provide an indication to the user that an electronic lock system is actually locked or actually unlocked, a sensor reading the position of a bolt engaging a strike opening of a strike plate may be provided in a lock case.

However, such arrangement complicates the design and makes it very difficult to retrofit an electric lock device to an existing lock case.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved lock device.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a lock device enabling an increased level of security.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a lock device enabling an improved user experience.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a lock device that enables or improves retrofit to an existing lock case.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a lock device having a compact design.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a lock device having a less complicated design.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a lock device solving several or all of the foregoing objects in combination.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a lock system comprising a lock device, which lock system solves one, several or all of the foregoing objects.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a lock device comprising an input member rotatable about an input axis; an output member rotatable about an output axis; a manually rotatable knob fixed to the input member; an electromechanical coupling device configured to adopt an uncoupled state, where the input member can rotate freely about the input axis and rotation of the input member about the input axis is not transmitted to a rotation of the output member about the output axis, and a coupled state, where rotation of the input member about the input axis can be transmitted to a rotation of the output member about the output axis; an electric control system configured to control the coupling device to switch between the uncoupled state and the coupled state; and a sensor in signal communication with the control system, the sensor being configured to generate a position signal indicative of a position of the output member about the output axis.

The lock device enables a human user to easily make sure that the lock system is actually locked or actually unlocked. The lock device therefore improves security.

Due to the sensor, the lock device enables generation of various feedback associated with the actual position of the output member to the user of the lock device. For example, the lock device enables provision of a feedback to the user as to whether or not a lock system comprising the lock device is actually locked or unlocked. The user can thereby be informed as to whether or not the input member has been sufficiently rotated to effect locking or unlocking. Furthermore, this can for example also be valuable in case the user tries to lock the lock system with the lock device when the lock system is already locked from an opposite side of a door leaf, e.g. by means of a thumb turn. The lock device therefore enables an improved user experience.

In the uncoupled state, the input member may be rotated freely about the input axis without causing rotation of the output member about the output axis. In the coupled state, the coupling device may transmit the rotation of the input member about the input axis to a rotation of the output member about the output axis. The input member and the output member may or may not rotate in common when the coupling device adopts the coupled state. Thus, the input axis may or may not be coaxial with the output axis.

The signal communication between the sensor and the control system may be wired or wireless.

The lock device may be configured to be connected to an existing lock case. Due to the sensor, the lock device enables provision of information regarding the locking status of the lock case without using a sensor in the lock case. This greatly facilitates retrofitting of the lock device to an existing lock case and reduces design complexity.

The lock device may comprise an electric user interface. The user interface may comprise a light and/or a display. The user interface may provide various types of feedback associated with the operation of the lock device. The user interface may be in signal communication with the control system.

Alternatively, or in addition, the user interface may be configured to receive a credential from the user. To this end, the user interface may comprise an antenna for wirelessly receiving the credential, for example via RFID (radiofrequency identification), NFC (near-field communication) or BLE (Bluetooth low energy). Alternatively, or in addition, the user interface may be configured to receive the credential by being touched by the user, for example by comprising a keypad, a finger sensor or other biometric sensor.

In any case, the user interface may be configured to send an access signal to the control system based on a received credential from the user. The control system may be configured to evaluate the access signal. Upon granted evaluation, the control system commands the coupling device to switch from the uncoupled state to the coupled state. Upon denied evaluation, the control system does not command the coupling device to switch from the uncoupled state to the coupled state.

The control system may comprise at least one data processing device and at least one memory having at least one computer program stored thereon, the at least one computer program comprising program code which, when executed by the at least one data processing device, causes the at least one data processing device to perform, or command performance of, any step described herein.

The output member may be an output shaft, such as a tailpiece. The input member may be an input shaft.

The output member may be configured to engage a lock follower of a lock case. Thus, by rotating the input member when the coupling device is in the coupled state, the lock follower can be rotated via the output member. In this way, a bolt may be moved between a locked position and an unlocked position to lock and unlock a lock system. The position signal from the sensor can therefore also be indicative of a position of the bolt, e.g. if the bolt is in a locked position, in an unlocked position or in an intermediate position between the locked position and the unlocked position. Should the bolt be moved to the locked position or the unlocked position from an opposite side of a door leaf with respect to the lock device, for example by turning a thumb turn, the new position of the bolt can be detected by the sensor.

The control system may be configured to command issuance of a feedback to a user based on the position signal or an absence of the position signal. The feedback may for example be audible, visual, tactile and/or electric. One example of audible feedback is sound. One example of visual feedback is light. One example of tactile feedback is vibration, e.g. in the knob fixed to the input member. One example of electric feedback is an electric signal sent to an external device, such as a mobile phone. In this case, the mobile phone may in turn provide audible, visual and/or tactile feedback to the user, based on the electric signal. The electric signal may also be sent to a central management system to monitor locking status of a plurality of lock systems. The feedback enables the lock device to function in a manner similar to mechanical lock cylinders, where a key cannot be retracted unless the key is positioned in a distinct position.

The control system may be configured to command issuance of the feedback when the output member is in one of at least one target position.

According to one variant, the control system is configured to command the coupling device to switch from the coupled state to the uncoupled state only when the output member has reached one of the at least one target position. The control system may be configured to command issuance of an alarm in case the output member has not reached one of at least one target position within a time period, for example five seconds.

Alternatively, or in addition, the feedback may be conditional on that the coupling device adopts the uncoupled state. For example, the user may present a credential to the lock device. Upon granted authorization, the coupling device adopts the coupled state. The user may then rotate the input member via the knob to lock the lock system. The control system may then command the coupling device to adopt the uncoupled state. Upon adopting the uncoupled state, the control system commands issuance of the feedback to the user. In this way, it can be prevented that an unauthorized person unlocks the lock system before the coupling device has adopted the uncoupled state.

The control system may be configured to command issuance of a first type of feedback when the output member is not in a target position, and to command issuance of a second type of feedback, different from the first type of feedback, when the output member is in one of at least one target position.

The at least one target position may comprise a locked target position corresponding to a locked follower position of the lock follower, and an unlocked target position corresponding to an unlocked follower position of the lock follower.

The sensor may be configured to sense the position of the output member. Alternatively, the sensor may be configured to sense a position of a different member from which the position of the output member can be determined, for example via a known transmission ratio of a transmission.

The sensor may be a proximity sensor. Examples of proximity sensors include a Hall effect sensor and an optical sensor.

When the lock device comprises a proximity sensor, the lock device may further comprise at least one proximity target. In this case, proximity of each proximity target, as sensed by the sensor, may correspond to a unique position of the output member about the output axis. The at least one proximity target may be positioned on the output member, or on a different member based on which the rotational position of the output member can be determined.

When the sensor is a Hall effect sensor, each proximity target may be a magnet. The magnets may be of different magnetic strengths and/or having different polarities facing the sensor to make them unique to the sensor. When the sensor is an optical sensor, the sensor may be configured to send light and each proximity target may be a reflector for reflecting the light.

Alternatively, or in addition, the sensor may be configured to determine an absolute position of the output member about the output axis. Such sensor may be an absolute rotary encoder, for example realized by an optical encoder, or by a Hall effect sensor and a multipole encoder ring comprising a plurality of magnets enclosing the output member, such as at least <NUM> magnets.

The control system may be configured to determine a rotational direction of the output member about the output axis based on the position signal. For example, when the lock device comprises a plurality of unique proximity targets, and/or when the lock device comprises a sensor configured to determine an absolute position of the output member, the control system can also conclude in which direction about the output axis the output member rotates. This may for example be useful in case the lock follower has to be rotated several full turns in order to move the bolt between the locked position and the unlocked position, for example in a triple throw lock case.

The control system may be configured to command issuance of a first type of feedback when the output member rotates in a correct direction, and to command issuance of a second type of feedback, different from the first type of feedback, when the output member rotates in an incorrect direction. A correct direction may be a locking direction when the lock system is unlocked, and/or an unlocking direction when the lock system is locked. Conversely, an incorrect direction may be an unlocking direction when the lock system is already unlocked, and/or a locking direction when the lock system is already locked. The feedback may be of any type according to the present disclosure.

The knob may be integrally formed with the input member or rigidly connected, directly or indirectly, to the input member. The user interface may be provided in the knob.

The lock device may further comprise an electromagnetic generator arranged to electrically power the coupling device and the control system. In this case, the generator may be arranged to be driven to harvest electric energy by rotation of the input member about the input axis. The lock device may thus be an energy harvesting lock device. The user may initially rotate the input member to harvest electric energy when the coupling device is in the uncoupled state. The generator may comprise a stator and a rotor rotatable relative to the stator to generate electric energy.

The control system may be configured to determine the position of the output member additionally based on a voltage of the generator. By considering the voltage of the generator, it can be concluded in which direction the input member rotates. The control system may be configured to command issuance of a first type of feedback when the input member rotates in a correct direction, and to command issuance of a second type of feedback, different from the first type of feedback, when the input member rotates in an incorrect direction, in the same way as mentioned above.

The lock device according to the present invention can however also function without a generator, for example when the coupling device is electrically powered by a mains supply or purely by a battery.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a lock system comprising a lock case having a lock follower and the lock device according to the first aspect. The output member may engage the lock follower. The output member and the lock follower may for example be arranged to rotate in common about the output axis. The lock case may comprise a bolt movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The lock case may be configured such that the bolt always moves in response to rotation of the lock follower. The bolt may for example be a latch bolt, a hook bolt or a dead bolt. The control system may be configured to determine whether the lock case is in a locked position or an unlocked position based on the position signal.

Further details, advantages and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:.

In the following, a lock device comprising an electromechanical coupling device, and a lock system comprising such lock device, will be described. The same or similar reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

<FIG> schematically represents a lock system <NUM>. The lock system <NUM> comprises an electric lock device 12a. The lock system <NUM> of this example further comprises a lock case <NUM>. <FIG> further shows a door leaf <NUM> rotatable relative to a frame (not shown). The lock case <NUM> is installed in the door leaf <NUM>.

The lock device 12a comprises an input shaft <NUM>, an output shaft <NUM>, an electromechanical coupling device 22a and an electric control system <NUM>. The input shaft <NUM> and the output shaft <NUM> are examples of an input member and an output member, respectively, according to the present disclosure. The output shaft <NUM> is here exemplified as a tailpiece. The control system <NUM> is in signal communication with the coupling device 22a.

The lock device 12a of this example further comprises a knob <NUM>. The knob <NUM> is here fixed to the input shaft <NUM>. A user may for example grab and rotate the knob <NUM>.

The lock device 12a of this example further comprises a display <NUM>. The display <NUM> provides one example of a user interface according to the present disclosure. The display <NUM> is in signal communication with the control system <NUM>. In this example, the display <NUM> is provided on the knob <NUM>.

The lock device 12a of this example further comprises an electromagnetic generator <NUM>. The generator <NUM> is arranged to be driven by rotation of the input shaft <NUM> to harvest electric energy. In this example, the generator <NUM> is arranged to electrically power the control system <NUM>, the coupling device 22a and the display <NUM>, for example via one or more capacitors.

The lock system <NUM> of this example further comprises an exterior handle 32a at an exterior side 34a of the door leaf <NUM>, and an interior handle 32b at an interior side 34b of the door leaf <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the lock device 12a is here positioned at the exterior side 34a. The lock case <NUM> of this example further comprises a latch bolt <NUM>. The latch bolt <NUM> can be maneuvered by the handles 32a and 32b.

The lock system <NUM> of this example further comprises a thumb turn <NUM> at the interior side 34b. The lock case <NUM> of this example further comprises an exterior lock follower 40a and an interior lock follower 40b. As shown in <FIG>, the output shaft <NUM> engages the lock follower 40a for common rotation, and the thumb turn <NUM> engages the lock follower 40b for common rotation.

The lock case <NUM> of this example further comprises a bolt <NUM>, here exemplified as a dead bolt. As an alternative to a dead bolt, the bolt <NUM> may be a hook bolt. The bolt <NUM> can be maneuvered by either the lock device 12a or the thumb turn <NUM>. The lock followers 40a and 40b are rotatable between a locked follower position and an unlocked follower position. In the locked follower position, the bolt <NUM> is in a locked position engaging a strike opening in a strike plate (not shown) in the frame. In the unlocked follower position, the bolt <NUM> is in an unlocked position retracted from the strike opening.

The lock case <NUM> further comprises a linkage <NUM>. The linkage <NUM> is configured to transmit a movement of the lock followers 40a and 40b from the locked follower position to the unlocked follower position to a movement of the bolt <NUM> from the locked position to the unlocked position, and vice versa. In one alternative example of a lock case according to the present disclosure, the lock case is configured to transmit a movement of a lock follower to a movement of a latch bolt.

<FIG> schematically represents a partial perspective side view of the lock device 12a. In <FIG>, the knob <NUM> and the generator <NUM> are omitted. The coupling device 22a shown in <FIG> is one of many examples of a coupling device according to the present disclosure.

The input shaft <NUM> is rotatable about an input axis <NUM>. The output shaft <NUM> is rotatable about an output axis <NUM>. In this example, the input axis <NUM> and the output axis <NUM> are concentric, i.e. constituted by a common rotation axis.

The lock device 12a of this example further comprises a coupling shaft <NUM> and a torsion spring <NUM>. The torsion spring <NUM> is wound around a spring pin <NUM>. The lock device 12a further comprises a stationary structure, here exemplified as a plate <NUM>.

The coupling shaft <NUM> is linearly movable, here along the input axis <NUM> and the output axis <NUM>. The coupling shaft <NUM> is arranged between the input shaft <NUM> and the output shaft <NUM>.

The coupling shaft <NUM> comprises a collar <NUM>. Except for the collar <NUM>, the coupling shaft <NUM> has a uniform polygonal exterior profile along its length, here a hexagonal exterior profile. The coupling shaft <NUM> is shape-fitted into an input opening <NUM> in the input shaft <NUM> and can move axially along the input axis <NUM> relative to the input shaft <NUM> while the shape-fit is maintained. The input shaft <NUM> and the coupling shaft <NUM> therefore always rotate in common.

The output shaft <NUM> comprises an output opening <NUM>. The output opening <NUM> has an interior profile corresponding to the exterior profile of the coupling shaft <NUM>.

The coupling device 22a of this example comprises an actuating member, here exemplified as a nut <NUM>. The nut <NUM> is linearly movable and comprises an actuating pin <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the coupling device 22a is in an uncoupled state, here exemplified as the nut <NUM> being in an uncoupling actuating position <NUM>. When the nut <NUM> is in the uncoupling actuating position <NUM>, a rotation of the input shaft <NUM> about the input axis <NUM> is not transmitted to a rotation of the output shaft <NUM> about the output axis <NUM>.

The coupling device 22a of this example further comprises a lead screw <NUM>. The nut <NUM> threadingly engages the lead screw <NUM>.

The coupling device 22a of this example further comprises an electric motor <NUM>. The electric motor <NUM> comprises a rotatable motor shaft <NUM>. The electric motor <NUM> is secured to the plate <NUM>. The electric motor <NUM> is controlled by the control system <NUM>.

The coupling device 22a of this example further comprises a transmission <NUM>. The transmission <NUM> comprises a first gear wheel <NUM> and a second gear wheel <NUM> meshing with the first gear wheel <NUM>. The first gear wheel <NUM> is fixed to the motor shaft <NUM>. The second gear wheel <NUM> is fixed to the lead screw <NUM>. The transmission <NUM> is thus arranged to transmit a rotation of the motor shaft <NUM> to a rotation of the lead screw <NUM>. The electric motor <NUM> is thereby arranged to drive the lead screw <NUM> to rotate.

The torsion spring <NUM> comprises a first leg <NUM> and a second leg <NUM>. The first leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> are movable away from each other against a deformation of the torsion spring <NUM>. In the state of the torsion spring <NUM> in <FIG>, the torsion spring <NUM> is deformed such that the first leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> pinches each of the actuating pin <NUM> and the collar <NUM>.

When the nut <NUM> is in the uncoupling actuating position <NUM> according to <FIG>, the first leg <NUM> and the second leg <NUM> hold the coupling shaft <NUM> in an uncoupled position <NUM>. In the uncoupled position <NUM>, the coupling shaft <NUM> is separated from the output shaft <NUM>. A rotation of the coupling shaft <NUM> is therefore not transmitted to a rotation of the output shaft <NUM>. The output shaft <NUM> is thus uncoupled from the input shaft <NUM> when the coupling shaft <NUM> is in the uncoupled position <NUM>.

In order to couple the input shaft <NUM> to the output shaft <NUM>, the electric motor <NUM> is driven to rotate the lead screw <NUM>, e.g. in response to a granted evaluation of an authorization request. The rotation of the lead screw <NUM> causes the nut <NUM> to move linearly (to the right in <FIG>) from the uncoupling actuating position <NUM> to a coupling actuating position.

As shown in <FIG>, the lock device 12a further comprises a proximity target <NUM>. In this example, the proximity target <NUM> is positioned on the output shaft <NUM>. The proximity target <NUM> of this example is a magnet. In the view in <FIG>, the proximity target <NUM> is visible. In reality, the proximity target <NUM> may however face the plate <NUM> in the state of the lock device 12a in <FIG>.

<FIG> schematically represents a further partial perspective side view of the lock device 12a. In <FIG>, the input shaft <NUM>, the coupling shaft <NUM>, the output shaft <NUM> and the torsion spring <NUM> are additionally omitted.

In <FIG>, it can be seen that the lock device 12a further comprises a sensor <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> of this example is a proximity sensor. More specifically, the sensor <NUM> of this example is a Hall effect sensor. The sensor <NUM> is configured to sense proximity of the proximity target <NUM>, here by measuring a magnetic field from the proximity target <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> is thereby configured to generate a position signal <NUM> indicative of a position of the output shaft <NUM> about the output axis <NUM>. The position signal <NUM> is sent to the control system <NUM>. The sensor <NUM> is here positioned on the plate <NUM>.

As further shown in <FIG>, the control system <NUM> of this example comprises a data processing device <NUM> and a memory <NUM>. The memory <NUM> has a computer program stored thereon. The computer program comprises program code which, when executed by the data processing device <NUM>, causes the data processing device <NUM> to perform, or command performance of, various steps described herein.

<FIG> schematically represents a partial perspective side view of the lock device 12a. In <FIG>, the nut <NUM> has moved from the uncoupling actuating position <NUM> to the illustrated coupling actuating position <NUM>. In <FIG>, a valid credential has been presented and the control system <NUM> has thereby commanded the coupling device 22a to drive the nut <NUM> to the coupling actuating position <NUM>, which is one example of a coupled state of the coupling device 22a.

During movement of the nut <NUM> from the uncoupling actuating position <NUM> in <FIG> to the coupling actuating position <NUM> in <FIG>, the actuating pin <NUM> pushes the first leg <NUM> away from the second leg <NUM>. The torsion spring <NUM> is thereby further deformed. Due to the deformation of the torsion spring <NUM>, the second leg <NUM> pushes on the collar <NUM> and thereby exerts a constant force on the coupling shaft <NUM> (to the right in <FIG>). Once the nut <NUM> has moved to the coupling actuating position <NUM>, the electric motor <NUM> is stopped. Thus, no more electric energy needs to be supplied to the lock device 12a when adopting the state in <FIG>.

Since the coupling shaft <NUM> is not rotationally aligned with the output shaft <NUM> in <FIG>, the coupling shaft <NUM> cannot enter the output opening <NUM> to engage the output shaft <NUM>. The nut <NUM> can however move from the uncoupling actuating position <NUM> to the coupling actuating position <NUM> regardless of whether or not the coupling shaft <NUM> is rotationally aligned with the output shaft <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically represents a partial perspective side view of the lock device 12a. In <FIG>, the input shaft <NUM> is rotated about the input axis <NUM> by manual rotation of the knob <NUM> such that also the coupling shaft <NUM> is rotated to align with the output shaft <NUM>. Once the coupling shaft <NUM> is aligned with the output shaft <NUM> according to <FIG>, the second leg <NUM> pushes the coupling shaft <NUM> into the output shaft <NUM>. The coupling shaft <NUM> thereby moves from the uncoupled position <NUM> to a coupled position.

<FIG> schematically represents a partial perspective side view of the lock device 12a after movement of the coupling shaft <NUM> from the uncoupled position <NUM> to the coupled position <NUM>. The movement of the nut <NUM> from the uncoupling actuating position <NUM> to the coupling actuating position <NUM> is transmitted by the torsion spring <NUM> to the movement of the coupling shaft <NUM> from the uncoupled position <NUM> to the coupled position <NUM>.

When the coupling shaft <NUM> adopts the coupled position <NUM>, the coupling shaft <NUM> enters the output opening <NUM> and thereby engages the output shaft <NUM> by means of a shape fit. A rotation of the input shaft <NUM> about the input axis <NUM> is now transmitted by the coupling shaft <NUM> to a rotation of the output shaft <NUM> about the output axis <NUM>. When the coupling device 22a is in the coupled state <NUM> and the coupling shaft <NUM> is in the coupled position <NUM>, a user can rotate the output shaft <NUM> by rotating the input shaft <NUM> by the knob <NUM> to lock or unlock the lock system <NUM>.

The electric motor <NUM> may be automatically commanded to drive the lead screw <NUM> in an opposite direction after expiration of a certain time limit, e.g. five seconds. The rotation of the lead screw <NUM> thereby causes the nut <NUM> to move linearly along the actuating axis (to the left in <FIG>) from the coupling actuating position <NUM> back to the uncoupling actuating position <NUM>.

When the nut <NUM> moves from the coupling actuating position <NUM> back to the uncoupling actuating position <NUM>, the actuating pin <NUM> pushes the second leg <NUM> (to the left in <FIG>). Since the coupling shaft <NUM> is not prevented to move from the coupled position <NUM> back to the uncoupled position <NUM>, the movement of the second leg <NUM> causes the first leg <NUM> to push the collar <NUM> to move the coupling shaft <NUM> from the coupled position <NUM> back to the uncoupled position <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically represents positions of the knob <NUM>, the output shaft <NUM>, the lock follower 40a and the bolt <NUM> when the lock system <NUM> is unlocked. In <FIG>, the coupling device 22a is in the uncoupled state <NUM>. The output shaft <NUM> is in an unlocked target position <NUM>. The control system <NUM> is aware that the output shaft <NUM> is in the unlocked target position <NUM> based on the position signal <NUM> indicating proximity of the proximity target <NUM> to the sensor <NUM>.

Moreover, in <FIG>, the lock follower 40a is in the unlocked follower position <NUM>. The bolt <NUM> is the unlocked position <NUM>. In <FIG>, the strike plate <NUM> and the strike opening <NUM> in the strike plate <NUM> can also be seen. In this example, the lock follower 40a of the lock case <NUM> has to be rotated <NUM> degrees to move the bolt <NUM> between the unlocked position <NUM> and the locked position.

<FIG> schematically represents positions of the components in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the knob <NUM> is rotated by a user. The rotation of the knob <NUM> causes the input shaft <NUM> to drive the generator <NUM> to harvest electric energy. Based on the voltage from the generator <NUM>, the control system <NUM> determines the rotational direction of the knob <NUM> and the input shaft <NUM>, which is here a locking direction (clockwise in <FIG>). Since the bolt <NUM> is in the unlocked position <NUM>, the locking direction is considered by the control system <NUM> to be a correct direction. In response, the control system <NUM> commands issuance of feedback <NUM> to the user. The feedback <NUM> is here exemplified as a blinking green light emitted from the display <NUM>.

Should the user rotate the knob <NUM> in an unlocking direction (counterclockwise in <FIG>) when the bolt <NUM> is in the unlocked position <NUM>, the unlocking direction is considered by the control system <NUM> to be an incorrect direction. In response, the control system <NUM> would command issuance of a different type of feedback to the user, such as a blinking red light emitted from the display <NUM>. In this way, the user is informed that the lock device 12a is handled in an incorrect way.

<FIG> schematically represents positions of the components in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the control system <NUM> has commanded the coupling device 22a to adopt the coupled state <NUM> in response to a granted authorization request. The knob <NUM> is then rotated further by the user in the clockwise direction. Since the coupling device 22a is in the coupled state <NUM>, the rotation of the knob <NUM> causes the output shaft <NUM> to rotate in the clockwise direction. In <FIG>, the output shaft <NUM> has rotated <NUM> degrees from the unlocked target position <NUM>. The control system <NUM> becomes aware that the output shaft <NUM> is no longer in the unlocked target position <NUM> based on the position signal <NUM> indicating absence of proximity of the proximity target <NUM> to the sensor <NUM>.

Since the output shaft <NUM> engages the lock follower 40a, also the lock follower 40a rotates in the clockwise direction. Due to the rotation of the lock follower 40a, the bolt <NUM> moves from the unlocked position <NUM> towards the strike opening <NUM>. In <FIG>, the bolt <NUM> is in an intermediate position between the unlocked position <NUM> and the locked position.

The control system <NUM> is aware that the bolt <NUM> is in the intermediate position since the proximity target <NUM> is not in proximity to the sensor <NUM>, which indicates that the lock follower 40a has left the unlocked follower position <NUM>, which in turn indicates that the bolt <NUM> has left the unlocked position <NUM>. In response, the control system <NUM> commands issuance of feedback <NUM> to the user. The feedback <NUM> is here exemplified as a yellow light emitted from the display <NUM>. Due to the feedback <NUM>, the user becomes aware that the rotation of the knob <NUM> is incomplete and that the bolt <NUM> has not yet been brought to its locked position. The user is therefore guided by the feedback <NUM> to continue rotating the knob <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically represents positions of the components in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the coupling device 22a remains in the coupled state <NUM> and the knob <NUM> has been rotated still further such that the output shaft <NUM> has come to a locked target position <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the proximity target <NUM> is again in proximity of the sensor <NUM> in the locked target position <NUM>. The control system <NUM> is aware that the output shaft <NUM> is in the locked target position <NUM> based on the position signal <NUM> indicating proximity of the proximity target <NUM> to the sensor <NUM>. Based on the information that the output shaft <NUM> is in the locked target position <NUM>, the control system <NUM> concludes that the lock follower 40a is in a locked follower position <NUM> and that the bolt <NUM> is in a locked position <NUM> fully engaging the strike opening <NUM>. The control system <NUM> thus always knows whether the lock system <NUM> is locked or unlocked. The control system <NUM> then commands issuance of feedback <NUM> to the user. The feedback <NUM> is here exemplified as a constant green light emitted from the display <NUM>. The user is thereby notified that the locking of the lock system <NUM> has been completed. In this example, haptic feedback is also generated to the user "for free" since the user can feel in the knob <NUM> when the bolt <NUM> is stopped in the strike opening <NUM>.

The above process described in connection with <FIG> may be reversed for unlocking the lock system <NUM>. The lock device 12a improves security since it enables the user to easily make sure that the lock system <NUM> is actually locked or actually unlocked. The lock device 12a comprising the sensor <NUM> and a single proximity target <NUM> also has a very cost-efficient and compact design.

<FIG> schematically represents positions of the knob <NUM>, the output shaft <NUM>, the lock follower 40a and the bolt <NUM> when the lock system <NUM> is unlocked. Mainly differences from <FIG> will be described. In the example in <FIG>, the lock follower 40a has to be rotated <NUM> degrees to move the bolt <NUM> between the unlocked position <NUM> and the locked position <NUM>.

Moreover, the lock device 12a in <FIG> comprises a plurality of proximity targets <NUM>, 88a and 88b. Also in this example, each proximity target <NUM>, 88a and 88b is positioned on the output shaft <NUM>. The proximity target <NUM> is arranged to face the sensor <NUM> with a first type of polarity (such as a north pole) and each of the proximity targets 88a and 88b is arranged to face the sensor <NUM> with a second type of polarity (such as a south pole), different from the first type of polarity. In the unlocked target position <NUM> of the output shaft <NUM>, the proximity target 88a is in proximity to the sensor <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically represents positions of the components in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the knob <NUM> is rotated in the same way as in <FIG> to harvest electric energy and feedback <NUM> is issued to the user.

<FIG> schematically represents positions of the components in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the control system <NUM> has commanded the coupling device 22a to adopt the coupled state <NUM> in response to a granted authorization request. The knob <NUM> is then rotated further by the user in the clockwise direction. Since the coupling device 22a is in the coupled state <NUM>, the rotation of the knob <NUM> causes the output shaft <NUM> to rotate in the clockwise direction. In <FIG>, the output shaft <NUM> has rotated <NUM> degrees from the unlocked target position <NUM>. The control system <NUM> becomes aware that the output shaft <NUM> is no longer in the unlocked target position <NUM> based on the position signal <NUM> indicating proximity of the proximity target <NUM> to the sensor <NUM>. In <FIG>, the bolt <NUM> is in an intermediate position between the unlocked position <NUM> and the locked position <NUM> and moves into the strike opening <NUM>.

The control system <NUM> is aware that the bolt <NUM> is in the intermediate position since the proximity target <NUM> is in proximity to the sensor <NUM>, which indicates that the lock follower 40a has left the unlocked follower position <NUM>, which in turn indicates that the bolt <NUM> has left the unlocked position <NUM>. In response, the control system <NUM> commands issuance of the feedback <NUM> to the user guiding the user to continue rotating the knob <NUM>. Moreover, the detection of the proximity target <NUM> indicates clockwise direction of the output shaft <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically represents positions of the components in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the coupling device 22a remains in the coupled state <NUM> and the knob <NUM> has been rotated still further such that the output shaft <NUM> has come to the locked target position <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the proximity target 88b is now in proximity of the sensor <NUM> in the locked target position <NUM>. The control system <NUM> is aware that the output shaft <NUM> is in the locked target position <NUM> based on the position signal <NUM> indicating proximity of the proximity target 88b to the sensor <NUM>. Based on the information that the output shaft <NUM> is in the locked target position <NUM>, the control system <NUM> concludes that the lock follower 40a is in the locked follower position <NUM> and that the bolt <NUM> is in the locked position <NUM> fully engaging the strike opening <NUM>. The control system <NUM> therefore commands issuance of the feedback <NUM> to the user notifying the user that the locking of the lock system <NUM> has been completed. The above process described in connection with <FIG> may be reversed for unlocking the lock system <NUM>.

As can be gathered from the two examples in <FIG>, the sensor <NUM> enables the lock device 12a to easily be retrofitted to many different types of lock cases <NUM>. In case the sensor <NUM> is an absolute sensor, such as a rotary encoder, the flexibility of the lock device 12a to be connected with many different types of lock cases <NUM> is further improved.

<FIG> schematically represents a partial side view of a further example of a lock device 12b. The lock device 12b may be used instead of the lock device 12a in the lock system <NUM> in <FIG>. The lock device 12b differs from the lock device 12a by comprising a different type of electromechanical coupling device 22b instead of the coupling device 22a.

The coupling device 22b of this example comprises a clutch <NUM> and an electromechanical actuator <NUM> controlling the clutch <NUM>. In <FIG>, the clutch <NUM> is controlled by the actuator <NUM> to be open. The coupling device 22b thereby adopts an uncoupled state <NUM>, where the input shaft <NUM> can be rotated freely without the rotation being transmitted to a rotation of the output shaft <NUM>. The output shaft <NUM> thereby remains in the unlocked target position <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically represents a side view of the lock device 12b. In <FIG>, the clutch <NUM> is controlled by the actuator <NUM> to be closed, e.g. in response to an authorization signal from the control system <NUM>. The coupling device 22b thereby adopts a coupled state <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically represents a side view of the lock device 12b. As shown in <FIG>, the locking member <NUM> can be rotated from the unlocked target position <NUM> to the locked target position <NUM> by rotation of the input shaft <NUM> when the coupling device 22b adopts the coupled state <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A lock device (12a; 12b) comprising:
- an input member (<NUM>) rotatable about an input axis (<NUM>);
- a manually rotatable knob (<NUM>) fixed to the input member (<NUM>);
- an output member (<NUM>) rotatable about an output axis (<NUM>);
- an electromechanical coupling device (22a; 22b) configured to adopt an uncoupled state (<NUM>), where the input member (<NUM>) can rotate freely about the input axis (<NUM>) and rotation of the input member (<NUM>) about the input axis (<NUM>) is not transmitted to a rotation of the output member (<NUM>) about the output axis (<NUM>), and a coupled state (<NUM>), where rotation of the input member (<NUM>) about the input axis (<NUM>) can be transmitted to a rotation of the output member (<NUM>) about the output axis (<NUM>);
- an electric control system (<NUM>) configured to control the coupling device (22a; 22b) to switch between the uncoupled state (<NUM>) and the coupled state (<NUM>); and
- a sensor (<NUM>) in signal communication with the control system (<NUM>), the sensor (<NUM>) being configured to generate a position signal (<NUM>) indicative of a position of the output member (<NUM>) about the output axis (<NUM>).