Patent ID: 12227966

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The design of a key1according to an exemplary embodiment is explained in detail below on the basis ofFIGS.1to10. Unless otherwise stated, reference is always made to all figures.

FIG.1shows the key1in an isometric view together with a locking device101and a device103. The key1with the locking device101forms an arrangement100. This arrangement100can also include the device103. In addition, a key ring102can be arranged on the key1.

The locking device101is a lock cylinder with a corresponding electronic device, as explained in the general part of the description. The device103is a mobile device or a stationary terminal, also as defined in the general part of the description.

The key1comprises a key bow2and a key shank50. The key shank50is used to insert into the locking device101. If there is an electronic access authorization, the key1can rotate a cylinder core104. If, on the other hand, there is no electronic access authorization, the cylinder core104cannot be rotated in a locking device housing106. A locking element, not represented, of the locking device101is prevented by an electromechanical actuator, not represented, of the locking device101from leaving a connecting position between cylinder core104and locking device housing106. Thus the key1cannot be rotated in the locking device101either. A rotation of the key1in the locking device101is thus locked.

If there is an electronic access authorization, a driver105, which is designed as a locking lug, can be rotated with the cylinder core104. For this purpose, the electromechanical actuator has been operated, which allows the locking element to be withdrawn from the connecting position. A building door can be unlocked via the driver105.

The key bow2is formed by a housing10and a frame30. The frame forms a free space44open on both sides (seeFIG.10) for arranging the housing10. As soon as the housing10is mounted in the frame, the free space44in the frame30is filled by the housing10. The frame30surrounds the housing10like a frame.

To define the disclosure, axes and sides are used, which are in particular illustrated inFIGS.3and4. Accordingly, the key shank50extends along a longitudinal axis90. A thickness axis91and a width axis92are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis90. The key bow2has two opposite broad sides93. These two broad sides93are intersected by the thickness axis91. Furthermore, the key bow2has two opposite narrow sides94. The narrow sides94are intersected by the width axis92.

The key shank50is located on a front side95of the key bow2. A rear side96is opposite this front side95. A key ring through-opening14for the key ring102can be located on this rear side96. The front side95and the rear side96are intersected by the longitudinal axis90.

A frame thickness97of the frame30is defined parallel to the thickness axis91. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the frame30has this frame thickness97at every point.

The representation inFIG.3also shows that the housing10protrudes beyond the frame30on both sides, i.e. on both broad sides93, when viewed along the longitudinal axis90or the width axis92.

The top view inFIG.4shows a view along the thickness axis91. It can be seen that the frame30protrudes beyond the housing10along the longitudinal axis90and along the width axis92—that is to say over the entire circumference. The frame30is thus formed circumferentially on the top surface of the key bow2. Here, the frame30is designed to be open in the direction of the thickness axis91in the direction of the thickness axis91. The broad sides93of the key bow2, to be more precise, the top surfaces of the broad sides93, are thus formed by the housing10and the frame30.

The housing10is composed of a first housing part11and a second housing part12. Each housing part11,12has a rail holder13in each case. Corresponding rails43of the frame30are inserted into this rail holder13in order to arrange the two housing parts11,12on one another and to seal the housing tightly. The frame surrounds both housing parts11,12here like a frame.

In the housing10, in particular in the second housing part12, there is a housing socket opening15for a socket74.

According to the disclosure, the key1comprises a button73.

For example, the section A-A inFIG.5shows a button projection17on the inside of the first housing part11. This button projection17can be pressed on the associated button73. For this purpose, the user presses the two housing parts11,12against each other.

The key bow2has a relatively large actuating section16which is designed to be flexible in such manner that it can be pushed in by the user to actuate the button73. The user thereby does not have to look for a specific, small spot on the key bow2in order to actuate the button73, but can press the relatively large actuating section16. The button projection17is arranged on the actuating section16. This makes it easier to operate button73.

For example, the views inFIG.1andFIG.4illustrate that a relatively large area of the first housing part11is designed as an actuating section16. This actuating section16is surrounded all around by a support section18. When actuated, the actuating section16curves in relation to the support section18. Any region of the first housing part11that does not form the actuating section16is assigned to this support section18. Pressure on the support section18does not result in the button73being actuated.

According to the disclosure, the actuating section16and the support section18are designed in one piece. In this exemplary embodiment, the actuating section16and the support section18are formed monolithically. The actuating section16and the support section18together form the first housing part11. The first housing part11is e.g. an injection molded part made of plastic. As a result, the key1is easy to manufacture.

In particular, the first housing part11has a flat end surface29on one of the two broad sides93. This flat end surface29is largely formed by the actuating section16. At least a rear part of the flat end surface29is designed as a support section18. Thus, the actuating section16and the support section18together form the end surface29of the first housing part11. In addition, the first housing part11comprises an edge section20which extends around the flat end surface29. This edge section20is also part of the support section18. The support section18thus forms the first housing part11on the narrow sides94.

The edge section20has the rail holder13of the first housing part11. Thus, the support section18is partially in the frame.

The actuating section16occupies at least 20%, preferably 25%, particularly preferably 30% of the spatial extension of the broad side93. The spatial extension here means the extension perpendicular to the thickness axis91. That is to say in a top view in the direction of the thickness axis91according toFIG.4, in which the frame30, the edge section20and the flat end surface29together form the broad side93, the actuating section16occupies at least 20%, preferably 25%, particularly preferably 30% of the visible area.

The actuating section16occupies at least 30%, preferably at least 30%, particularly preferably 50% of the spatial extension of the end surface29. The spatial extension here means the extension perpendicular to the thickness axis91(seeFIG.4).

In order to achieve a correspondingly flexible configuration of the actuating section16, the flat end surface29can have different wall thicknesses. In particular, the representations inFIGS.6and8show that a first, thin wall thickness21and a second, thicker wall thickness22are provided in the region of the end surface29. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the two wall thicknesses21,22merge into one another with a step19. Alternatively, a plurality of steps or a continuous change in the wall thickness can also be provided here.

The step19can, but does not have to, form the boundary between the actuating section16and the support section18. It is also conceivable that part of the end surface29with the wall thickness22is part of the actuating section16since pressing on this region causes the button73to be actuated.

In order that the two housing parts11,12cannot be pressed too far or too hard against one another, a support column is provided, which is formed from a first support column part23and the inside of the first housing part11and a second support column part24on the inside of the second housing part12. When the actuating section16is pushed in, the two support column parts23,24meet to form the support column.

Electronics70of the key1are located in the key bow2, inside the housing10and thus surrounded by the frame30and the housing10. The electronics70have the printed circuit board71, which is represented in detail inFIG.9.

The button73is located on the printed circuit board71and can be pressed by the actuating section16, in particular via the button projection17.

A column recess72is located relatively close to the button73, here as a hole. The support column, formed by the two support column parts23,24, protrudes through this column recess72.

For example,FIG.8shows that the first housing part11has a receiving groove25for inserting an insert element54. This makes it possible to arrange the insert element54on the housing10.

Furthermore, the housing10comprises a first light guide26on one broad side93and a second light guide27on the opposite broad side93. The two light guides26,27are each arranged to emit light on the associated broad side93and beyond the frame30in the direction of the key shank50. The light guides26,27can be produced, for example, with the rest of the housing10using a two-component injection molding process.

The exploded representation inFIG.2shows that a seal28can be inserted between the two housing parts11,12. Alternatively, this seal28can also be part of one of the two housing parts11,12, for example by a two-component injection molding process.

The frame30of the key bow2is formed by a first frame part31and a second frame part32.

The first frame part31has a front section33. The key shank50, in particular a key shank main body51, is located on this front section33. This key shank main body51is formed monolithically together with the first frame part31, for example cast together from metal.

Two front legs34of the first frame part31extend from the front section33in the direction of the rear side96. As a result, the first frame part31is formed in the shape of a fork together with the key shank main body51.

The second frame part32is designed to be U-shaped and thereby comprises a rear section35parallel to the front section33. Two parallel rear legs36extend from this rear section35in the direction of the front side95.

The two frame parts31,32are connected to one another via two connection points37. Each connection point37has two latching lugs38and two associated opposite latching points39. Through these connection points37, the two frame parts31,32are connected to one another in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner.

The frame30, in the exemplary embodiment shown the second frame part32, has a frame socket opening41through which the socket74is accessible.

The frame30has a grip region40on each of the two narrow sides94. The two grip regions40each form a top surface of the key bow2which can be gripped by the user in order to rotate the key1in the locking device101. The torque can be transmitted directly to the key shank50and from there to the cylinder core104of the locking device101through the grip regions40, which are located directly on the frame30. There are no undesired stresses on the housing10.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the two grip regions40extend parallel and spaced apart from the longitudinal axis90. In particular, the two grip regions40are formed by the two front legs34and the two rear legs36.

The two grip regions40extend over the entire length of the key bow2.

As already described, the key shank50comprises the key shank main body51which is a monolithic component of the first frame part31. Thus, the key shank50and the frame30are rigidly connected to each other.

The key shank main body51has two shank legs52spaced apart from one another and a shank leg connection53. The shank leg connection53connects the two shank legs52to one another at the front end of the key1.

Furthermore, the key shank50comprises the insert element54, in particular made of plastic. This insert element54is inserted between the two shank legs52. In particular, the sectional representation C-C inFIG.7illustrates that the insert element54is located between the two shank legs52and is connected to both shank legs52via a tongue and groove connection58.

Two transmission elements55extend inside the insert element54. Since the key1is designed as a reversible key, at least two of these transmission elements55are provided.

In the region of the key shank50, the two transmission elements55each have a locking device contact surface56. The respective locking device contact surface56is exposed on the top surface of the key shank50and can thus be used for the transmission of data and/or power to the locking device101.

Inside the key bow2, the transmission elements55each have a printed circuit board contact surface57in order to connect the two transmission elements55to the printed circuit board71in an electrically conductive manner.

Furthermore, the socket74is located on the printed circuit board71and is designed here as a USB-C socket.

A wireless communication module78, designed for near-field communication with the device103, is located on the printed circuit board71.

FIG.9also illustrates that an energy storage device85to power the electronics70and/or the locking device101is arranged inside the key bow2. This energy storage device85can be charged via the socket74, for example.

The button73is to be actuated in order to communicate with the device103via the near-field communication. If the button73has not been pressed shortly beforehand, the wireless communication module78sleeps, so that electrical energy of the energy storage device85can be saved.

Also to save energy, the electronics70can be woken up when the transmission element55comes into contact with corresponding contact points of the lock cylinder101. Thus, inserting the key1into the lock cylinder101can cause an action, in particular to transmit data to the lock cylinder. If the key is removed again, this can also trigger an action; data is preferably transmitted from the key1to the device103.

If the button73has not been pressed and the transmission elements55have been out of contact with the corresponding contact points of the lock cylinder101for a long time, the electronics70are idle.

Furthermore,FIG.9illustrates that a light device75is arranged on the printed circuit board71. In the exemplary embodiment shown, this light device75comprises a first light element76in the form of an LED on one side of the printed circuit board71and a second light element77in the form of an LED on the opposite side of the printed circuit board71. The first light element76is arranged to feed light into the first light guide26. The second light element77is arranged to feed light into the second light guide27. In particular, the two light elements are actuated synchronously so that they both emit the same pattern.

The two light elements76,77are, in particular, LEDs that can light up in a plurality of colors. In addition, the electronics70are designed to actuate the light device75, i.e. the two light elements76,77, to reproduce at least one item of information in a luminous manner.

FIG.12shows an example of the patterns in terms of light color, intensity and flashing pattern for different trigger events. Accordingly, e.g. when pressing301the button73, blue light (b) with a flashing pattern “long”, “short”, “short” can be emitted. The “long” signal represents the connection setup, the “short” and “short” signals represent the existing connection. This means that connection setup and existing connection are represented differently.

When connecting304a charging cable with the socket74e.g. white light (w) can be emitted, with both the light intensity and the duration of the individual light signals being able to increase over time. An interrupted pattern can in this case represent the charging process and a sustained light the fully charged state.

When the key1is removed303from the locking device101, blue (b) can be flashed twice and red (r) once, for example, with the two blue light signals being short and the red light signal being long. The blue light signals indicate the connection to the device103. The red light signal indicates a disruption. If there is no disruption, only the blue light is emitted.

For an insertion302of the key1into the locking device101, two different patterns are provided, for example, which represent a combination of information. In the combination “white” (w) “green” (g), “white” stands for a low charge status of the energy storage device and “green” for an access right. In the combination “white-red-red”, “white” stands for a low charge status of the energy storage device and “red-red” for a denied access right. If the energy storage device is sufficiently charged, the key will only emit the pattern “green” if access is granted and “red-red” if access is denied.

FIG.10illustrates a state during the assembly of the key1according to the disclosure. Accordingly, the two housing parts11,12are first placed one on top of the other. The electronics70, in particular also the energy storage device85, are thereby already located between the two housing parts11,12. Furthermore, the insert element54is inserted between the two housing parts11,12.

In order to press the two housing parts11,12firmly onto one another and thereby in particular to compress the seal28, the described rail holders13are provided in the two housing parts11,12, which are pushed into the associated rails43of the two frame parts31,32. The two frame parts31,32can be pushed onto the housing10at the same time or one after the other.

During this assembly process, the insert element54already connected to the housing10is inserted through an insert element through-opening42in the first frame part31and can thus be inserted between the two shank legs52.

FIG.11illustrates an assembly method200for this exemplary embodiment. In this case, the electronics70and the energy storage device85are initially surrounded by the housing10in an assembly method step a)201. In an assembly method step b)202, the housing10is then fastened to the frame30.

In the assembly method step b)202, the rail holders13are pushed into one another with the rails43and at the same time the insert element54is pushed into the key shank main body51.