Anti-collision arrangement structure for locking device, locking device and method

Abstract

An anti-collision arrangement structure (10) for a locking device (38, 52, 68), the anti-collision arrangement structure (10) comprising: a transfer member (12, 46, 64, 74), the transfer member (12, 46, 64, 74) having a magnet (14), the transfer member (12, 46, 64, 74) being movable along an actuation axis (18) between a locked position (16) and an unlocked position (36); a plurality of electrical conductors (20), each electrical conductor (20) enclosing the actuation axis (18); and a plurality of switches (22), each switch (22) being associated with a corresponding electrical conductor (20) and arranged to selectively close a circuit including the associated electrical conductor (20), so that eddy currents are induced in the electrical conductor (20) when the magnet (14) moves along the actuation axis (18) from the locked position (16) toward the unlocked position (36). A locking device (38, 52, 68) and a method of controlling the locking device (38, 52, 68) are also provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to anti-collision arrangements. In particular, an anti-collision arrangement for a locking device, a locking device including the anti-collision arrangement, and a method of controlling a locking device are provided. Background Art

[0002] Unauthorized manipulation of the locking device by different types of impacts is a known problem for cylinder locking devices. In addition, the blocking mechanisms for the deadbolt and the door handle may be subject to impacts.

[0003] In some prior art locking devices, a certain mechanical force "ramp" needs to be transmitted to make the transmission member hit from the locked position to the unlocked position, thereby enabling the locking device to be unlocked without authorization. The transmission member can be, for example, a blocking member or a coupling member. The mechanical force ramp can be the force required to overcome the force from the spring that pushes the transmission member towards the locked position.

[0004] In those prior art locking devices, the same mechanical force ramp for unauthorized unlocking also needs to be overcome for authorized unlocking of the locking device. Where a spring pushes the transfer member towards the locked position, the transfer member also needs to move against the force of the spring for authorized unlocking. As a result, authorized unlocking typically requires a large amount of energy to unlock. This is problematic when the transfer member is driven by a motor, and particularly when the locking device is an energy harvesting locking device with a small battery or no battery at all. Summary of the invention

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an anti-collision arrangement for a locking device, which improves the safety of the locking device.

[0006] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide an anti-slam arrangement for a locking device that provides resistance against impacts of the locking device.

[0007] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an anti-collision arrangement for a locking device, the anti-collision arrangement having low power consumption.

[0008] It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide an anti-slam arrangement for a locking device, which anti-slam arrangement has a compact, simple and / or reliable design.

[0009] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an anti-slam arrangement for a locking device which has a compact, simple and / or reliable function.

[0010] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an anti-slam arrangement for a locking device which addresses several or all of the aforementioned objects in combination.

[0011] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a locking device comprising an anti-collision arrangement, which solves one, several or all of the aforementioned objects.

[0012] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method of controlling a locking device, which solves one, several or all of the aforementioned objects.

[0013] According to one aspect, an anti-collision arrangement structure for a locking device is provided, which includes: a transfer member having a magnet, the transfer member being capable of moving along an actuating axis between a locked position and an unlocked position; a plurality of electrical conductors, each of which encloses the actuating axis; and a plurality of switches, each of which is associated with a corresponding electrical conductor and is arranged to selectively close a circuit including the associated electrical conductors, so that eddy currents are induced in the electrical conductors when the magnet moves along the actuating axis from the locked position toward the unlocked position.

[0014] The eddy currents generate a magnetic force on the magnet that acts against the movement of the magnet. The magnetic force acts as a brake against movement of the transfer member due to the impact.

[0015] When the switch is open, the transmission member can move relatively easily during the authorized unlocking of the locking device due to the absence of magnetic forces. However, when the switch is closed, for unauthorized opening or impact, the transmission member moves relatively cumbersomely due to the induced eddy currents and the resulting reaction magnetic forces.

[0016] Therefore, the anti-collision arrangement structure makes it possible to set a specific "unauthorized force slope" and a specific "authorized force slope" that is lower than the unauthorized force slope. For example, the unauthorized force slope can be the force required to overcome both the force of the elastic element and the magnetic force from the eddy current, while the authorized force slope can be the force required to overcome only the force of the elastic element. Since the force and the magnetic force of the elastic element can be set as required, for example by the corresponding dimensions of the parts, the unauthorized force slope and the authorized force slope can also be set as required. In this way, a low authorized force slope and a high unauthorized force slope can be set. This makes it possible to achieve high anti-collision protection with low power consumption. A wide trade-off between very high anti-collision protection and very low power consumption can also be achieved with the help of the anti-collision arrangement structure.

[0017] The switch can be selectively closed with very low power consumption. Thus, the anti-surge arrangement provides low power surge protection based on the eddy current principle.

[0018] When the circuit is selectively opened by opening the switch, no eddy currents are induced in the electrical conductor when the magnet moves along the actuation axis from the locked position toward the unlocked position. When the switch is opened, the switch is in the unlocked state. This can be referred to as the open mode.

[0019] When the switch is closed to close the circuit, the switch is in a locked state. This may be referred to as a protection mode. Each switch may be electrically controlled or mechanically controlled.

[0020] Each electrical conductor may partially or completely enclose the actuation axis. Each electrical conductor may have the same or substantially the same electrical conductivity. The electrical conductor may be made of, for example, copper, gold or silver. The electrical conductivity of the electrical conductor may be at least 3×10 7 σ(S / m), for example, at least 4×10 at 20°C 7 σ(S / m). The collision protection arrangement may comprise at least three electrical conductors, such as three electrical conductors to six electrical conductors.

[0021] Due to the cooperation between the electrical conductor and the switch, eddy currents are selectively induced due to the movement of the magnet, so that the anti-slam arrangement can be miniaturized for various types of locking devices. Therefore, the anti-slam arrangement can achieve a compact design.

[0022] The magnet may be a permanent magnet. The magnet may, for example, include a neodymium alloy such as neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) or other alloy with a relatively high intrinsic remanence. The relatively high intrinsic coercivity may be used to protect the magnet from being demagnetized by an applied external magnetic field.

[0023] The electrical conductors may be arranged in a stack. Thus, the stack may extend parallel to the actuation axis. By arranging the electrical conductors in a stack, a tubular member of the electrical conductors is formed. The length of the stack along the actuation axis may be greater than the length of the magnet along the actuation axis.

[0024] Each electrical conductor may extend in a plane substantially perpendicular to or perpendicular to the actuation axis. Thus, the electrical conductor may be configured or constructed as a plurality of washers. In this case, each washer may include an opening, wherein one of the switches is connected to the opening.

[0025] The anti-collision arrangement may further comprise a resilient element arranged to urge the transfer member along the actuation axis towards the locked position. The resilient element may for example be a leaf spring or a helical spring.

[0026] The transfer member may be constituted by a magnet. Alternatively, the magnet may constitute only a part of the transfer member. That is, the transfer member may include a magnet and one or more non-magnetic parts. In any case, the transfer member may be rigid.

[0027] The transfer member may be a blocking member. The blocking member may block the relative movement between the input member and the output member in a locked position, and unblock the relative movement between the input member and the output member in an unlocked position. Therefore, in the unlocked position of the blocking member, the movement of the input member is transferred to the output member.

[0028] Alternatively, the transfer member may be a coupling member. The coupling member may disconnect the input member from the output member in a locked position and couple the input member to the output member in an unlocked position. Thus, in the unlocked position of the coupling member, the movement of the input member is transferred to the output member. Thus, the coupling member may function as a clutch.

[0029] Each switch may include a transistor. The transistor may be controlled by a voltage. Alternatively, each switch may be an electromechanical switch or a mechanical switch.

[0030] The transistor may be a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor, MOSFET, such as an N-type metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor, nMOSFET.

[0031] The transistor may be a depletion-type field effect transistor. A depletion-type field effect transistor is normally closed (normally open). By applying a voltage to the gate, the transistor turns the circuit on. Therefore, a depletion-type field effect transistor does not consume any power in the locked state. Therefore, the use of a depletion-type field effect transistor is advantageous for an energy harvesting lock device, which may have limited or no available power in a passive mode.

[0032] Alternatively, the transistor may be an enhancement field effect transistor. An enhancement field effect transistor is normally open (normally closed). By applying a voltage to the gate, the transistor closes the circuit. Therefore, the enhancement field effect transistor does not consume any power in the unlocked state.

[0033] The anti-collision arrangement may also include a control system including at least one data processing device and at least one memory having a computer program stored thereon, the computer program including program code that, when executed by the at least one data processing device, causes the at least one data processing device to perform the following steps: evaluating the authorization request; and in response to a granted evaluation of the authorization request, commanding each switch to open. The computer program may also include program code that, when executed by the at least one data processing device, causes the at least one data processing device to perform various steps as described herein or command the execution of various steps as described herein.

[0034] The control system may further comprise a receiving unit, such as an antenna, for receiving the authorization request. The control device may be configured to determine whether authorization should be granted based on the authorization request. If access is granted, for example, if valid credentials are provided, each switch is commanded to open.

[0035] The anti-collision arrangement may further comprise a printed circuit board, PCB. The control system may be arranged on the PCB.

[0036] According to another aspect, a locking device including an anti-collision arrangement structure according to the present disclosure is provided. The locking device may include an input member and an output member. When the transfer member is in a locked position, the output member may be prevented from moving by movement of the input member. Conversely, when the transfer member is in an unlocked position, the output member may be allowed to move by movement of the input member.

[0037] The locking device may be an energy harvesting locking device. To this end, the locking device may further comprise a generator arranged to generate electrical energy from the movement of the input member. The energy harvesting locking device may not comprise a battery.

[0038] According to another aspect, a method of controlling a locking device is provided, the method comprising providing a locking device according to the present disclosure; and in response to a granted authorization request from a user, turning each switch on. If the authorization request is not granted or no authorization request is received, each switch remains closed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Other details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0040] Figure 1 : schematically shows a side view of an anti-collision arrangement structure, wherein the transmission member is in a locked position and a plurality of switches are in a locked state;

[0041] Figure 2 : schematically shows Figure 1 A top view of the anti-collision arrangement structure;

[0042] Figure 3 : schematically shows a side view of the anti-collision arrangement structure, wherein the transmission member is in the unlocked position and the switch is in the unlocked state;

[0043] Figure 4 : schematically shows Figure 3 A top view of the anti-collision arrangement structure;

[0044] Figure 5 : schematically shows a side view of a lock cylinder locking device, wherein a plurality of drive pins are in a locked position and a switch is in a locked state;

[0045] Figure 6 : schematically shows Figure 5 A side view of a cylinder locking device in which the actuator pin is in an unlocked position and the switch is in an unlocked state;

[0046] Figure 7 : schematically shows a side view of another locking device, wherein the blocking member is in a locked position and the switch is in a locked state;

[0047] Figure 8 : schematically shows Figure 7 A side view of the locking device in which the blocking member is in an unlocked position and the switch is in an unlocked state;

[0048] Fig. 9 : schematically shows a front view of another locking device, wherein the coupling member is in a locked position and the switch is in a locked state; and

[0049] Fig.10 : schematically shows Fig. 9 A front view of a locking device in which the coupling member is in an unlocked position and the switch is in an unlocked state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] In the following, an anti-collision arrangement for a locking device, a locking device including the anti-collision arrangement, and a method of controlling a locking device will be described. The same or similar reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

[0051] Figure 1 A side view of the crash protection arrangement 10 is schematically shown and Figure 2 Schematically shows Figure 1 A top view of the anti-collision arrangement structure 10 in FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the collision protection arrangement 10 comprises a transmission member 12. In this example, the transmission member 12 is constituted by a magnet 14. The magnet 14 of this example is a permanent magnet.

[0052] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the transmission member 12 is positioned in the locked position 16 . The transmission member 12 can be moved from the locked position 16 along the actuation axis 18 .

[0053] The anti-collision arrangement 10 also includes a plurality of electrical conductors 20 and a plurality of switches 22. In this specific example, the anti-collision arrangement 10 includes six electrical conductors 20 and six switches 22. Each electrical conductor 20 is associated with one of the switches 22 and each switch 22 is associated with one of the electrical conductors 20. Each pair of electrical conductors 20 and associated switches 22 encloses the actuation axis 18.

[0054] Each electrical conductor 20 is arranged in a plane perpendicular to the actuation axis 18 and is shaped as a washer. Each washer comprises a cutout in which the associated switch 22 is located. Figure 1 As shown in , the electrical conductors 20 are arranged in a stack extending parallel to the actuation axis 18. Thereby, the electrical conductors 20 form a tube enclosing the magnet 14. The electrical conductors 20 may be made of copper or another material with high electrical conductivity. The electrical conductors 20 may be electrically insulated from each other.

[0055] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the embodiment, each individual switch 22 is in a locked state 24. In the locked state 24, closing each switch 22 closes a circuit or current loop including the associated electrical conductor 20. Each switch 22 is arranged to selectively close and open the associated circuit.

[0056] The switch 22 is exemplified here as a field effect transistor of the depletion type, ie, normally closed (normally open). Thus, in the locked state 24, the switch 22 does not consume any power.

[0057] The anti-collision arrangement 10 also includes a control system 26. The control system 26 of this example includes a data processing device 28, a memory 30 and an antenna 32. The memory 30 has a computer program stored thereon. The computer program includes program code that, when executed by the data processing device 28, causes the data processing device 28 to evaluate an authorization request received via the antenna 32 and command each switch 22 to open in response to a granted evaluation request. The authorization request may be received via the antenna 32, for example, via Bluetooth Low Energy, BLE. The components of the control system 26 may be arranged on a common PCB.

[0058] When the switch 22 is in the locked state 24 to short the circuit and the transfer member 12 attempts to move from the locked position 16, eddy currents are generated in the electrical conductor 20 by the moving / changing magnetic field of the magnet 14. The eddy currents generate a magnetic force on the magnet 14 that acts against the movement of the transfer member 12. In this way, the transfer member 12 can be prevented from being knocked away from the locked position 16.

[0059] Figure 3 A side view of the crash protection arrangement 10 is schematically shown and Figure 4 Schematically shows Figure 3A top view of the anti-collision arrangement 10 in FIG. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the unlocked state 34, the switches 22 are in the unlocked state 34, for example, after the user presents a valid credential. In the unlocked state 34, each switch 22 may consume less than 10 μA, such as less than 2 μA.

[0060] When the switch 22 is in the unlocked state 34, each circuit around the magnet 14 is open. Therefore, no eddy currents are induced in the electrical conductor 20 by the movement of the magnet 14 and the magnet 14 is therefore not subjected to any magnetic force from such eddy currents. As a result, the transfer member 12 can be moved from the locked position 16 to the unlocked position 36. Thus, the switch 22 is selectively closed and opened to respectively turn on and off the eddy currents and the resulting braking magnetic field.

[0061] Figure 5 Schematically shown is a side view of a cylinder locking device 38. The cylinder locking device 38 comprises a housing 40 and a plug 42 rotatably arranged in the housing 40. The cylinder locking device 38 further comprises a key pin 44, a driver pin 46 and a compression spring 48. Each driver pin 46 is constituted by a cylindrical magnet 14.

[0062] Each spring 48 urges the associated driver pin 46 along the actuation axis 18 into the locked position 16. The spring 48 is an example of a resilient element. The plug 42 is an example of an output member.

[0063] The lock cylinder locking device 38 also includes Figures 1 to 4 The anti-collision arrangement 10 of the same type as in FIG. Thus, each driver pin 46 is enclosed by a plurality (four in this example) of circuits, each circuit being formed by an electrical conductor 20 and an associated switch 22. Thus, each driver pin 46 is an example of a transmission member. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 4 , the anti-collision arrangement 10 is miniaturized to fit inside the housing 40. The control system 26 is also arranged inside the housing 40. The control system 26 controls the switching of all switches 22 associated with the driver pin 46.

[0064] exist Figure 5, the driver pins 46 are in the locked position 16 and the switch 22 is in the locked state 24. Thus, each driver pin 46 directly blocks the rotational force applied to the plug 42. If the anti-collision arrangement 10 did not include the electrical conductor 20, the driver pins 46 would be able to be bumped against the compression of the spring 48 by external forces and / or vibrations on the cylinder locking device 38 or by using a bump key to obtain a short unblocked state of the driver pins 46. The cylinder locking device 38 would then be able to be opened without authorization. However, the closing of multiple circuits by means of the closing of the electrical conductor 20 and the switch 22 will generate eddy currents by the movement of the magnet 14, and the cylinder locking device 38 will therefore be more difficult or impossible to open using the bumping technique.

[0065] In order to bump the driver pin 46 from the locked position 16 to the unlocked position 36, it is necessary to overcome both the force of the spring 48 and the magnetic force generated by the eddy currents induced in the circuit. The sum of these forces constitutes an unauthorized force ramp. In addition, when the circuit is closed, it will be very difficult to insert the key into the plug 42.

[0066] Figure 6 Schematically shows Figure 5 A side view of the lock cylinder locking device 38 in FIG. Figure 6 , a valid credential has been presented and thus the control system 26 has commanded the switch 22 to switch from the locked state 24 to the unlocked state 34 .

[0067] When the switch 22 is in the unlocked state 34, each circuit around the corresponding magnet 14 is open. Therefore, no eddy currents are induced in the electrical conductor 20 by the movement of the magnet 14 and the magnet 14 is therefore not subjected to any magnetic force from such eddy currents. As a result, the driver pin 46 can move from the locked position 16 to the unlocked position 36 against the force of the corresponding spring 48. The force required for this movement constitutes an authorized force ramp, which is lower than the unauthorized force ramp.

[0068] like Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 4 , a key 50 is inserted into the plug 42. The key 50 is an example of an input member. The insertion of the key 50 moves the key pins 44, which in turn moves the driver pins 46 from the locked position 16 along the corresponding actuation axis 18 to the unlocked position 36. The interface between each pair of key pins 44 and the driver pins 46 is now aligned with the interface between the plug 42 and the housing 40. Thus, the plug 42 can be rotated by the rotation of the key 50 to open the cylinder locking device 38.

[0069] Figure 7A side view of another locking device 52 is schematically shown. The locking device 52 includes a handle 54 and a latch bolt 56. The handle 54 is another example of an input member and the latch bolt 56 is another example of an output member. In this particular example, the handle 54 is arranged to rotate linearly and the latch bolt 56 is arranged to move linearly.

[0070] The locking device 52 further comprises a transmission 58. The transmission 58 is configured to transfer the movement of the handle 54 to the movement of the latch bolt 56. To this end, the transmission 58 may, for example, comprise gears and / or a linkage.

[0071] The locking device 52 also includes an electromechanical actuator 60. The actuator 60 includes an actuator pin 62. The actuator 60 can move the actuator pin 62 linearly. The actuator 60 is controlled by the control system 26.

[0072] The locking device 52 further includes a blocking member 64 and a spring 48. The spring 48 is arranged between the actuator pin 62 and the blocking member 64. The blocking member 64 is an example of a transmission member. The blocking member 64 is constituted by the magnet 14, here by a cylindrical magnet.

[0073] The locking device 52 also includes Figures 1 to 6 The anti-collision arrangement 10 of the same type as the anti-collision arrangement 10 in FIG. The anti-collision arrangement 10 comprises a blocking member 64 formed by a magnet 14, a plurality of electrical conductors 20, a plurality of switches 22, a spring 48 and a control system 26. The blocking member 64 is enclosed by a plurality of circuits, each circuit being formed by one of the electrical conductors 20 and one of the switches 22.

[0074] The locking device 52 may be an energy harvesting locking device. In this case, the control system 26 and the actuator 60 are powered by electrical energy harvested from the mechanical movement of the handle 54.

[0075] exist Figure 7 , the blocking member 64 is in the locked position 16. In the locked position 16, the blocking member 64 is seated in the hole 66 in the latch bolt 56. Thus, the movement of the latch bolt 56 is blocked. The spring 48 urges the blocking member 64 to the locked position 16 seated in the hole 66.

[0076] exist Figure 7, the switch 22 is in the locked state 24. If the anti-collision arrangement 10 does not include the electrical conductor 20, the blocking member 64 will be able to impact against the compression of the spring 48 by external forces and / or vibrations on the locking device 52 to obtain a short unblocked state of the blocking member 64. The locking device 52 will then be able to be opened without authorization. However, by closing the multiple circuits by means of the closing of the electrical conductor 20 and the switch 22, eddy currents will be generated by the movement of the magnet 14, and the locking device 52 will therefore be more difficult or impossible to open using the impact technique. In order to impact the blocking member 64 from the locked position 16 to the unlocked position 36 when the actuator pin 62 is stationary, it is necessary to overcome both the force of the spring 48 and the magnetic force generated by the eddy currents induced in the circuit.

[0077] Figure 8 Schematically shows Figure 7 A side view of the locking device 52 in FIG. Figure 8 , a valid credential has been presented and thus the control system 26 has commanded the switch 22 to switch from the locked state 24 to the unlocked state 34 .

[0078] When the switch 22 is in the unlocked state 34, each circuit around the magnet 14 is open. Therefore, no eddy currents are induced in the electrical conductor 20 by the movement of the magnet 14 and the magnet 14 is therefore not subjected to any magnetic force from such eddy currents. Simultaneously with or after the switch 22 is switched to the unlocked state 34, the control system 26 commands the actuator 60 to move the actuator pin 62. Figure 8 As shown in , the actuator pin 62 is retracted. This moves the blocking member 64 from the locked position 16 along the actuation axis 18 to the unlocked position 36. In the unlocked position 36, the blocking member 64 is fully retracted from the hole 66.

[0079] The retraction movement of the actuator pin 62 does not require overcoming the force of the spring 48. In fact, the spring 48 initially assists the retraction of the actuator pin 62, since the spring 48 is compressed when the blocking member 64 is in the locked position 16. Therefore, a very low authorized force ramp is obtained.

[0080] exist Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the embodiment of the present invention, the blocking member 64 blocks the relative movement between the handle 54 and the latch bolt 56 in the locked position 16 and unblocks the relative movement between the handle 54 and the latch bolt 56 in the unlocked position 36. Figure 8 With the blocking member 64 in the unlocked position 36, the rotation of the handle 54 is transferred to the linear movement of the latch bolt 56. The user can now turn the handle 54 to retract the latch bolt 56 to open the locking device 52.

[0081] Fig. 9A top view of another locking device 68 is schematically shown; the locking device 68 includes a knob 70 and a locking member 72. The knob 70 is another example of an input member and the locking member 72 is another example of an output member. In this particular example, each of the knob 70 and the locking member 72 is arranged to rotate about a common rotation axis.

[0082] The locking device 68 also includes an electromechanical actuator 60 having an actuator pin 62. The actuator 60 and the actuator pin 62 are Figure 7 and Figure 8 The actuator 60 and the actuator pin 62 are of the same type.

[0083] The locking device 68 further includes a coupling member 74 and a spring 48. The spring 48 is arranged between the actuator pin 62 and the coupling member 74. The coupling member 74 is another example of a transmission member. The coupling member 74 is constituted by the magnet 14, here by a cylindrical magnet.

[0084] The locking device 68 also includes an anti-collision arrangement 10. The anti-collision arrangement 10 includes a coupling member 74 formed by a magnet 14, a plurality of electrical conductors 20, a plurality of switches 22, a spring 48 and a control system 26. The coupling member 74 is enclosed by a plurality of circuits, each circuit being formed by one of the electrical conductors 20 and one of the switches 22. It should be emphasized that the schematic diagram is only shown. Fig. 9 In particular, the anti-collision arrangement 10 and the actuator 60 can be arranged inside the knob 70.

[0085] The locking device 68 may be an energy harvesting locking device. In this case, the control system 26 and the actuator 60 are powered by electrical energy harvested by the rotation of the knob 70.

[0086] exist Fig. 9 , the coupling member 74 is in the locked position 16. In the locked position 16, the coupling member 74 is retracted from the hole 66 in the locking member 72. In the locked position 16 of the coupling member 74, the rotation of the knob 70 is not transmitted to the rotation of the locking member 72. The coupling member 74 acts as a clutch. Fig. 9 The clutch is open.

[0087] exist Fig. 9, the switch 22 is in the locked state 24. If the anti-collision arrangement 10 does not include the electrical conductor 20, the coupling member 74 will be able to impact against the expansion of the spring 48 by external forces and / or vibrations on the locking device 68 to obtain a short connected state of the coupling member 74. The locking device 68 will then be able to be opened without authorization. However, by closing multiple circuits by means of the closing of the electrical conductor 20 and the switch 22, eddy currents will be generated by the movement of the magnet 14, and the locking device 68 will therefore be more difficult or impossible to open using the impact technique. In order to impact the coupling member 74 from the locked position 16 to the unlocked position 36 when the actuator pin 62 is stationary, it is necessary to overcome both the force of the spring 48 and the magnetic force generated by the eddy currents induced in the circuit.

[0088] Fig.10 Schematically shows Fig. 9 A front view of the locking device 68 in FIG. Fig.10 , a valid credential has been presented and thus the control system 26 has commanded the switch 22 to switch from the locked state 24 to the unlocked state 34 .

[0089] When the switch 22 is in the unlocked state 34, each circuit around the magnet 14 is open. Therefore, no eddy currents are induced in the electrical conductor 20 by the movement of the magnet 14 and the magnet 14 is therefore not subjected to any magnetic force from such eddy currents. Simultaneously with or after the switch 22 is switched to the unlocked state 34, the control system 26 commands the actuator 60 to move the actuator pin 62. Fig.10 As shown in , the actuator pin 62 is extended. This moves the coupling member 74 from the locked position 16 along the actuation axis 18 to the unlocked position 36. In the unlocked position 36, the coupling member 74 is seated in the hole 66 in the locking member 72. The extension movement of the actuator pin 62 does not require overcoming the force of the spring 48. Fig.10 The clutch is closed.

[0090] exist Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , the coupling member 74 decouples the knob 70 from the locking member 72 in the locked position 16 and couples the knob 70 to the locking member 72 in the unlocked position 36. Thus, in the unlocked position 36 of the coupling member 74, the knob 70 and the locking member 72 can be rotated together to unlock the locking device 68. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 In the embodiment, the anti-slam arrangement 10 including the coupling member 74 is illustrated together with the locking device 68 including the knob 70, but the anti-slam arrangement 10 including the coupling member 74 may be used with other types of locking devices that do not necessarily include a knob.

[0091] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the present invention is not limited to what has been described above. For example, it will be understood that the size of the parts can be different as needed. Therefore, the present invention is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An anti-collision arrangement (10) for a locking device (38, 52, 68), the anti-collision arrangement (10) comprising: a transmission member having a magnet (14) and being movable along an actuation axis (18) between a locked position (16) and an unlocked position (36); - a plurality of electrical conductors (20), each of said electrical conductors (20) enclosing said actuation axis (18); as well as - a plurality of switches (22), each of the switches (22) being associated with a respective one of the electrical conductors (20) and being arranged to selectively close a circuit including the associated electrical conductor (20) so as to induce eddy currents in the electrical conductor (20) when the magnet (14) moves along the actuation axis (18) from the locked position (16) towards the unlocked position (36).

2. The anti-collision arrangement (10) according to claim 1, wherein: The electrical conductors (20) are arranged in a stack.

3. The anti-collision arrangement (10) according to claim 2, wherein: The length of the stack along the actuation axis (18) is greater than the length of the magnet (14) along the actuation axis (18).

4. The anti-collision arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: Each electrical conductor (20) extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the actuation axis (18).

5. The anti-collision arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a resilient element (48) arranged to urge the transfer member along the actuation axis (18) towards the locking position (16).

6. The crash protection arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The transmission member is constituted by the magnet (14).

7. The anti-collision arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The transmitting member is a blocking member.

8. The crash protection arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The transmission member is a coupling member (74).

9. The anti-collision arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: Each of the switches (22) comprises a transistor.

10. The anti-collision arrangement (10) according to claim 9, wherein: The transistor is a metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor.

11. The anti-collision arrangement (10) according to claim 9, wherein: The transistor is a depletion-type field effect transistor.

12. The anti-collision arrangement (10) according to claim 9, wherein: The transistor is an enhancement type field effect transistor.

13. The crash protection arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a control system (26), the control system (26) comprising at least one data processing device (28) and at least one memory (30), the memory (30) having a computer program stored on the memory (30), the computer program comprising program code which, when executed by the at least one data processing device (28), causes the at least one data processing device (28) to perform the following steps: - Evaluate the authorization request; and - In response to a granted evaluation of said authorization request, commanding each switch (22) to open.

14. A locking device (38, 52, 68) comprising an anti-collision arrangement (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A method of controlling a locking device (38, 52, 68), the method comprising: - providing a locking device (38, 52, 68) according to claim 14; as well as - In response to a granted authorization request from the user, each switch (22) is turned on.

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