ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM
Patent Information
- Application Number
- ES2024032143U
- Authority / Receiving Office
- ES · ES
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-01-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-31
- Estimated Expiration
- 2032-01-28
Abstract
Description
ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM Object of the invention The present invention relates to an access control system whose configuration and design allows it to operate without the need for batteries. The invention is applicable to any access system whose opening / closing is carried out by manual operation by a user and by the simultaneous use of an access identification element ("key"), such as in the case of access to lockers. Background of the invention Currently, wireless mechatronic access control systems comprise a manually operated lock, which also requires the simultaneous use of an access identification device to open / close the lock. These systems require battery power for their electronics and lock actuators (motor / solenoid). This fact causes the following problems: - It is necessary to change the batteries when they run out, incurring a cost derived from the time required to change the batteries of each lock, as well as the added cost of using the new batteries. - They produce an environmental impact, since the components used in the manufacture of batteries are toxic (Mercury, Zinc, Cadmium, Nickel, Lead, etc.), both for the environment and for health. - Discarded batteries must be recycled and treated in facilities specifically dedicated to this purpose, which also entails an additional cost. The closest antecedent to the invention is the Spanish patent document with application number P200702794, which describes a programmable electronic lock, governed by a control circuit and equipped with a manually operated knob, movable by overcoming the action of a spring, so that its displacement causes the advancement of a tongue to establish the closure of the lock, whose closed position is maintained by means of a device locking the push button in the closed position, all this provided that the verification of an access identification element (key) is carried out, by means of the control circuit, by bringing said identification element close to the knob, so that when the identification element has not been validated, the control circuit does not activate the locking device, the knob returns to its initial position by the action of the spring.To open the lock, the access identification element must be validated, which unlocks the knob from the closed position. The lock then opens due to the action of the spring that assists the knob. However, this lock has the previously mentioned problem: it requires a battery to power its various electronic and mechanical components. Description of the invention To achieve the objectives and solve the problems discussed above, the invention, like prior art access control systems, comprises a push button that can be moved from a distal position to a proximal position, which is assisted by an elastic element, for example, a push button spring, to keep it in the distal position. In addition, the system is equipped with a tab, configured to be moved by means of the push button, so that it allows the closure of the access system to be established. Another component of the system is a device for locking the closed position of the tongue, and an access identification element that communicates with a control circuit to lock / unlock the closed position of the tongue when the control circuit validates the access element. The main novelty of the invention is that the access control system of the present invention comprises a power generating system that is equipped with a rotating element, a clutch mechanism and a power generating motor, such that the rotating element is connected to the power generating motor through the clutch mechanism, which is configured to transmit the rotating movement of the rotating element to the power generating motor when the push button is pressed from the distal position to the proximal position, supplying the power generating system, during this displacement, to the control circuit. The described configuration has the great advantage that it does not require the use of batteries to power the control circuit, thus avoiding all the problems described in the previous section on the background of the invention. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking of the latch in the closed position is carried out by means of a locking shaft, provided in the locking device, which is inserted into a housing provided in the latch, when the push button has been pressed and the access identification element has been validated. If the access identification element is not validated, the tab does not lock in the closed position and returns to its initial open position. The push button is designed to be equipped with ramp guides arranged on tongue axes, so that guided movement of the tongue is possible when the push button is pressed. The return of the push button to the distal position occurs due to the action of the push button spring when the push button is released, so whenever the push button is not being pressed, it remains in its distal position regardless of whether the access is closed or open. Once the latch is locked in the closed position, to open it, the button must be pressed again, generating the energy that powers the control circuit so that the access element is validated. If the access identification element is valid, the locking axis retracts, releasing the latch and thus opening the access. If the access identification element is invalid, the tab remains locked in the closed position, so access remains closed. This configuration determines that whenever the button is pressed, the motor generates energy, either to open or close the access. The latch is assisted by a latch return spring that holds it in the open position and resists its movement to the closed position. Therefore, when the button is pressed to close the access point, the force of the latch return spring must be overcome. This design ensures that the latch moves to the open position once it has been unlocked. In one embodiment of the invention, the clutch mechanism comprises a body, which is integral with the rotating element, and in which at least one ratchet arm is articulatedly retained, which rests, by the action of a push element, on ratchet teeth provided on the inside of a ratchet disc that is coupled to the motor shaft to allow the motor to rotate when the push button is pressed from its distal position to its proximal position and to prevent its rotation when the push button returns to the distal position. In another embodiment of the invention, the clutch mechanism is simplified in which the body is also integral with the rotating element, but in this case it has been configured to retain a push element provided with at least one flexible arm that rests on the ratchet teeth of the ratchet disc, which is coupled to the shaft of the power generating motor to, as in the previous case, allow the motor to rotate when the push button is pressed from its distal position to its proximal position and prevent its rotation when the push button returns to the distal position. In another simplified embodiment, the body of the previous embodiments is eliminated, for which the push element, provided with at least one flexible arm, is directly attached to the rotating element, so that said flexible arm also rests on the ratchet teeth of the ratchet disc's interior to perform the functionality described, which consists of allowing the motor to rotate when the push button is pressed from its distal position to its proximal position and preventing its rotation when the push button returns to the distal position. The rotating element is a pinion that meshes with a rack provided in the push button, which facilitates its angular displacement when the push button is pressed. The electric generator produces more energy than the control circuit consumes, both for opening and closing the access system. This allows the control circuit to be configured to perform other actions, such as storing events in memory along with the open or closed access status; activating an audible alarm; and / or activating a visual alarm. The audible and visual alarms are activated to signal to the user the different actions performed by the system. In the event of a system failure, a manual emergency release mechanism for the locked tongue is included. This mechanism consists of a lever whose activation displaces the locking shaft within the locking device, extending it from the tongue housing. This, in turn, causes the tongue to move to the open position by the action of its return spring. The emergency manual opening mechanism is located inside the push button, so it has been configured to be broken from the top, allowing access to the emergency manual opening mechanism, causing the lever to move and contact a stop on the locking shaft when the emergency opening is performed. The system is designed to allow for maintenance tasks, such as firmware updates and event logs. These functions require more power than the generator provides, so the control circuit is equipped with an external power supply via contacts. With this external power supply connected, the maintenance device can be used to read events, perform configuration and firmware updates, and also provide power to the control circuit in case of an emergency opening. Description of the figures To complete the description and to aid in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, this descriptive document is accompanied, as an integral part thereof, by a set of figures in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented: Figure 1 shows an exploded view of an example embodiment of the access system of the invention. Figure 2 shows a view of the arrangement of the system elements with all elements mounted and without the cover. Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the clutch mechanism configuration and its connection to the power generator motor. Figure 4 shows a view of the system in the open position, in which the push button is in its distal, highest position, and the tab is hidden in the housing. Figure 5 shows a view of the system in the position where the push button is pressed, by exerting a force "F", a position in which the push button is in its proximal, lowest position, and the tab is protruding from the housing. Figure 6 shows a view of the system in the closed position, in which the push button is in its highest position and the tab is protruding from the housing and is locked by the locking shaft. Figure 7 shows a top perspective in which the clutch from Figure 3, the power generator motor, the tongue, and the push button are depicted. Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the detail of the clutch pinion arrangement of Figure 3 on the push-button rack. Figure 9 shows a detail of the arrangement of the ratchet arms of the clutch mechanism in Figure 3, when the push button is pressed down, a position in which these arms engage with the ratchet teeth to rotate the power generator. Figure 10 shows a detail of the arrangement of the ratchet arms of the clutch mechanism in Figure 3, when the push button is raised, a position in which the ratchet arms do not engage with the ratchet teeth, preventing the power generator from turning. Figures 11 and 12 show the relative position of the tongue in relation to the control circuit, in the open and closed positions respectively, positions that are detected by said control circuit through a sensor. Figures 13 to 15 show the sequence of action of the emergency manual opening mechanism. Figure 16 shows different views of a second embodiment of the clutch mechanism configuration. Figure 17 shows different views of a third embodiment of the clutch mechanism configuration. Preferred embodiment of the invention The system of the invention comprises the following elements: 1. Housing 2. Lid 2.a. Contacts 3. Tongue 3.a. Accommodation 3.b. Tongue Axes 3.c. Reed return spring 3.d. Tongue return spring guide 3.e. Tongue stop 4. Pushbutton 4.a. Ramp-Guides 4.b. Zipper 4.c. Antenna 4.d. Elastic element (pushbutton spring) 4.e. Pushbutton guide 5. Locking device 5.a. Locking shaft 5.b. Stop 6. Electric power generator 6.a. Power generating motor 6.b. Motor shaft 6.c. Clutch mechanism 6.c.1. Ratchet disc 6.c.1.1. Ratchet teeth 6.c.2. Thrust element 6.c.2.2. Flexible arms of the thrust element 6.c.3. Ratchet arms 6.c.4. Body 6.c.4.1. Pinion (rotating element) 7. Control circuit 7.a. Sensor (Switch) 7.b. Power generator connection 7.c. Mechanical locking connection 7.d. Antenna connection 8. Emergency manual operating mechanism 8.a. Lever The configuration and design of the access control system of the invention allow it to operate without the need to use power batteries for the control circuit included in the system, thus solving the existing problems of the state of the art. To do this, the energy required to power the control circuit is obtained by transforming the mechanical energy, which the user must apply when acting on the system, into electrical energy, since, to open or close the system, the user must apply a movement to it. The transformation of mechanical energy into electrical energy is achieved through the use of an electrical energy generator (6), which comprises an energy generating motor (6.a) that is not described in further detail because it is not the subject of the invention. The energy produced is not stored, as is done in other energy generation systems, but is used instantly from the moment its production begins, applying the method described in patent application P202131190. A force F is applied to the push button (4), causing its rectilinear displacement from a distal to a proximal position. This, in turn, causes the tongue (3) to move due to the push action of ramp guides (4.a), located on both sides of the push button body (4), on tongue axes (3.b). This configuration keeps the tongue (3) attached to the push button (4) during pressing, while simultaneously allowing the tongue (3) to move transversely relative to the pressing motion of the push button (4). When the push button (4) is pressed, the rectilinear motion it performs is transformed into a circular motion by means of a rotating element, which consists of a pinion (6.c.4.1) that is part of the energy generator (6) and which meshes with a rack (4.b) that is part of the push button (4). The pinion (6.c.4.1) is fixed to a body (6.c.4) (figure 3), which causes that body (6.c.4) to also rotate when the pinion (6.c.4.1) rotates. In turn, in the body (6.c.4) are retained, with the possibility of rotation, some ratchet arms (6.c.3) which, by the action of a push element (6.c.2), rest on some ratchet teeth (6.c.1.1), provided in the interior of a ratchet disc (6.c.1), which is coupled to the shaft (6.b) of the generator motor (6.a), this assembly forming a clutch mechanism (6.c) of the electric power generator (6) which transmits the circular motion to the generator motor (6.a) when the push button (4) is pressed. The generator motor (6.a) is equipped with a multiplying gearbox, as is known in the state of the art, to provide a greater production of electrical energy. In addition, the generator motor (6.a) is connected to a control circuit (7) to provide it with electrical power when it rotates. The ratchet arms (6.c.3) only engage with the ratchet teeth (6.c.1.1) during the pressing motion of the push button (4), for which these teeth (6.c.1.1) have a sawtooth configuration. Figure 9 shows how the ratchet arms (6.c.3) engage with the ratchet teeth (6.c.1.1), thus achieving the rotation of the disc (6.c.1). The push button (4) is equipped with a guide (4.e) on which it is arranged and is assisted by an elastic element (4d), for example a push button spring that causes the movement opposite to that of pressing in order to recover its initial position when the pressing is stopped, which determines that the rack (4.b) makes the body (6.c.4) rotate in the opposite direction to that of pressing, a situation in which the arms (6.c.3) do not engage with the ratchet teeth (6.c.1.1) due to their sawtooth configuration, causing the ratchet disc (6.c.1) not to rotate, so no energy is generated during this movement. Figure 10 shows how the ratchet arms (6.c.3) do not engage with the ratchet teeth (6.c.1.1), and therefore do not exert any force on them, so the ratchet disc (6.c.1) does not rotate (the rotation arrow refers to the rotation of the body (6.c.4) and therefore of the ratchet arms (6.c.3), but the disc (6.c.1) does not move) The operation of the motor (6.a) is not the usual operation of a motor, that is, motors are subjected to an electric current so that the output shaft rotates at a certain revolutions, in this case, the reverse operation is caused, that is, the shaft of the motor (6.b) is mechanically rotated at a certain revolutions in order to obtain a sufficient amount of electrical output energy to power the control electronics. Furthermore, to open or close the system, an access identification element (not shown) that functions as a key must be used. This element must be located near the system, and for this purpose, the push button (4) is equipped with an antenna (4.c) through which it communicates with the control circuit (7). In case of an invalid / valid key reading, the mechatronics unit blocks / unblocks the movement of the tongue (3), which considerably reduces the energy required by the system. The moment the user presses the push button (4), the control circuit (7) detects that power is being generated and begins the key authentication process. The latch (3) is assisted by a latch return spring (3.c), arranged on a latch return spring guide (3.d), which keeps it in the open position, i.e., inside the housing (1). Therefore, if the access control system is initially in the open position (i.e., the system is open, as shown in Figure 4), when the push button (4) is pressed, the latch (3) comes out of the housing (1). If the authentication is successful, the latch (3) is locked in the closed position, outside the housing (1). If the authentication is unsuccessful, the latch (3) is not locked and is pushed back inside the housing (1) by the action of the spring (3.c) when the push button (4) is released. When the access control system is initially in the closed position (i.e., the system is closed and the latch (3) is outside the housing (1) and locked, as shown in Figure 5), and the push button (4) is pressed, the control circuit (7) is energized. If authentication is successful, the latch (3) unlocks and, by the action of the latch return spring (3.c), returns to its open position. Conversely, if authentication is unsuccessful, the latch (3) remains locked in its closed position. The system comprises a locking device (5) that is provided with a locking shaft (5.a) for the position of the tongue (3) in the closed position. The locking device (5) is controlled by the control circuit (7), such that to lock the tongue (3), said shaft (5.a) is actuated to engage in a housing (3.a) provided in the tongue (3). To unlock the tongue (3), the locking shaft (5.a) is retracted, so that it comes out of the slot (3.a) of the tongue (3). At that moment, by the action of the tongue return spring (3.c), the tongue (3) retracts until it is inserted inside the housing (1). The locking and unlocking occur only when the push button (4) reaches the end of its travel. To achieve this, the latch (3) includes a latch stop (3.e) at the end of which it acts on a sensor (7.a) in the control circuit (7), detecting when the latch (3) has reached the end of its travel (Figures 11 and 12). In this way, the control circuit (7) knows when the latch (3) is in the closed or open position, indicating that the closing or opening has been performed correctly, and detecting whether the locking or unlocking has occurred correctly. The generator motor (6.a) produces a greater amount of energy than is required to perform the closing / opening operations, so the remaining energy produced is used by the control circuit (7) to perform other actions such as: - Save in its memory the latest events and the closed or open state. - Provide an audible and / or visual feedback signal to indicate the different actions performed in the system. Furthermore, in case of any failure in the access control system, the possibility of carrying out an emergency opening by means of a manual emergency actuation mechanism (8) has been provided, provided inside the push button (4) and comprising a lever (8.a). For this purpose, the push button (4) is configured so that it can be cut off, and after removing the antenna (4.c), a screwdriver can be inserted to access the emergency manual release mechanism (8), which is positioned inside the push button guide (4.e) and aligned with the locking device (5). Using the screwdriver, the lever (8.a) is rotated, which actuates a stop (5.b) on the locking shaft (5.a), causing it to retract and thus releasing the tab (3). By means of the spring (3.c), the tab (3) automatically returns to its open position, retracting into the housing (1). For maintenance tasks such as updating the firmware of the access control system, reading all events of the access control system, etc., more energy is required than is produced when pressing the push button (4) to perform the opening and closing operations. Therefore, the access control system comprises an external power supply system via contacts (2.a). With the external power supply connected, a maintenance device can be used to perform event reading, configuration and firmware updates, and to provide power to the control circuit (7) for emergency opening. The described configuration provides a mechatronic design that ensures an acceptable pressing force for the user and, in turn, a particularly fast operating time at both the mechanical and electronic levels. Since the mechanical energy generated by each user depends on their own strength and changes depending on the user, it is essential to design the mechatronic part to function at the lowest possible movement speed for users with little strength. It is also important to consider the minimum mechanical movement time required to complete the operation, as users with greater strength will perform the action in less time. The design of the system of the invention described provides very low power consumption and a very fast operating time (experimentally it has been verified to be less than 0.5s). Figures 16 and 17 show two possible simplified embodiments of the clutch mechanism, which avoid the use of the ratchet arms (6.c.3) described above. For this purpose, the pinion (6.c.4.1) of the mechanism in Figure 16 is also integral with a body (6.c.4), but in this case said body (6.c.4) has been configured to retain a push element (6.c.2) which is provided with flexible arms (6.c.2.2), which rest directly on the ratchet teeth (6.c.1.1) of the ratchet disc (6.c.1), so that the ends of the flexible arms engage with the ratchet teeth (6.c.1.1) when the push button (4) is pressed, which causes the pinion (6.c.4.1) to transmit the circular motion to the generator motor (6.a). Conversely, during the movement in which the push button (4) returns to its distal position, the body (6.c.4) rotates in the opposite direction to the push button, a situation in which the flexible arms (6.c.2.2) slide over the ratchet teeth (6.c.1.1) without engaging on them, due to their sawtooth configuration, causing the ratchet disc (6.c.1) It does not rotate, so no energy is generated during this movement. Figure 17 shows another embodiment of the clutch mechanism in which the body (6.c.4) has been eliminated, so that the push element (6.c.2) with the flexible arms (6.c.2.2) is fixed directly to the pinion (6.c.4.1), providing the same operation as described for Figure 16.
Claims
1. Access control system, comprising: - a control circuit (7), - a push button (4) movable from a distal position to a proximal position, which is assisted by an elastic element (4.d) to maintain it in the distal position, and said push button (4) comprising a rack (4.b), - a latch (3), configured to be moved by means of the push button (4), and establish the closure of the access, - a locking device (5) for the closed position of the latch (3), - an access identification element that communicates with the control circuit (7) to lock / unlock the closed position of the latch (3) when the control circuit (7) identifies the access element, characterized in that it further comprises a power generator (6), which is provided with: - a rotating element configured to rotate when the push button (4) is actuated, wherein the rotating element is a pinion (6.c.4.1) that meshes with the rack (4).b) of the push button (4), - a clutch mechanism (6.c) configured to transmit the rotary motion of the rotating element to - a power generating motor (6.a), comprising a shaft (6.b), to supply power to the control circuit (7) when the push button (4) is actuated from the distal position to the proximal position, wherein the clutch mechanism (6.c) comprises: - a body (6.c.4), which is integral with the pinion (6.c.4.1), and - a ratchet disc (6.c.1), coupled to the shaft (6.b) of the power generating motor (6.a), wherein the ratchet disc (6.c.1) comprises ratchet teeth (6.c.1.1) around its circumference, wherein the push button (4) is configured to move from the distal position to the proximal position and to produce a linear motion of the rack (4.b) and a circular motion of the pinion (6.c.4.1) and the body (6.c.4), and wherein the ratchet disc (6.c.1) is configured to transmit said circular motion of the pinion (6.c.4.1) and of the body (6.c.4) to the power generating motor (6.a).
2. System according to claim 1, wherein the latch (3) comprises a housing (3.a) for a locking shaft (5.a) provided in the locking device (5) to lock the latch (3) in the closed position.
3. System according to claim 2, wherein the latch (3) is assisted by a latch return spring (3.c) that maintains the latch (3) in the open position and opposes its movement to the closed position.
4. System according to claim 1, wherein the push button (4) comprises ramp guides (4.a) arranged on latch shafts (3.b) to allow guided movement of the latch (3).
5. System, according to claim 1, wherein in the body (6.c.4) at least one ratchet arm (6.c.3) is articulatedly retained which rests, by the action of a thrust element (6.c.2), on the ratchet teeth (6.c.1.1) of the ratchet disc (6.c.1) which is coupled to the shaft (6.b) of the power generating motor (6.a) to allow the motor (6.a) to rotate when the push button (4) is pressed from its distal position to its proximal position and to prevent its rotation when the push button (4) is returned to the distal position.
6. System, according to claim 1, wherein a push element (6.c.2) is retained in the body (6.c.4) provided with at least one flexible arm (6.c.2.2) that rests on the ratchet teeth (6.c.1.1) of the ratchet disc (6.c.1) which is coupled to the shaft (6.b) of the power generating motor (6.a) to allow the motor (6.a) to rotate when the push button (4) is pressed from its distal position to its proximal position and to prevent its rotation when the push button (4) is returned to the distal position.
7. System according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit (7) is configured to activate a sound device and / or activate a light device. 8.A system according to claim 2, comprising a manual emergency actuation mechanism (8) for the locked closed position of the latch (3), which is provided with a lever (8.a) whose actuation causes the displacement of the locking shaft (5.a) of the locking device (5).
9. A system according to claim 1, wherein the push button (4) is configured to allow it to be broken off at its upper part, allowing access to the lever (8.a) of the manual emergency actuation mechanism (8), and wherein said lever (8.a) contacts a stop (5.b) provided on the locking shaft (5.a) when the emergency opening is performed.
10. A system according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit (7) comprises an external power supply device by means of contacts (2.a), configured to be connected to an external power supply and to be connected to a maintenance device.