Electromechanical door lock actuation device, narrow frame glass door equipped with the device and retrofitting method

Abstract

An electromechanical door lock actuation device (1) with an actuator module (2) is mounted on the metal profile (21) of the glass door, such that the actuator module (2) is offset from the door lock so that the actuator module (2) does not obstruct the opening of the door.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an electromechanical door lock actuation device as described in the preamble of the respective independent claims. The invention also relates to a glass door equipped with such a device and a method for retrofitting such a device onto a glass door. Background Technology

[0002] International patent application WO2017 / 114534, filed by Overgaard and assigned to Danalock, discloses an electromechanical door lock actuator mounted on the surface of a door leaf for actuating a door lock within the door leaf. The actuator has a cylindrical housing containing a battery-powered motor. The motor rotates a pin receiver connected to a drive pin extending from the door lock to the back of the actuator. The pin receiver is rotated by the motor when the actuator is activated by a wireless signal activating the motor in one or the other direction. A manual knob can also be provided to replace the motor for locking and unlocking operations.

[0003] Overgaard's U.S. Patent No. 9,546,504 discloses an electromechanical door lock actuator with a structure similar to a motor-driven rotating center pin receiver. The patent provides three types of adapters to suit the pin receiver depending on the specific type of door lock drive pin.

[0004] International patent application WO2005 / 024160, assigned to Aptus Elektronik AB, discloses an electromechanical door lock actuator with a manually rotating locking handle that is connected to the door lock via a drive pin.

[0005] International patent application WO2016 / 194304 discloses an electromechanical door lock actuator comprising a lock motor / handle module and an adapter module for gripping and rotating an existing knob on the door lock. For proper assembly, the module can be equipped with a connector having grooves of different lengths and widths.

[0006] Specifically, for American-style locks, US2010 / 0011822 discloses a lock cylinder for insertion, which is modified to provide a pin connector between the actuator and the lock cylinder. Modifications for insertable US lock cylinders are also disclosed in US2010 / 0154494.

[0007] All of these locks are equipped with adaptable connectors. However, for glass doors with narrow profiles around the glass, the locks are positioned near the edge of the profile. In practice, it has been found that the height of existing adaptive electromechanical door lock actuators is too large for such doors, causing the actuators to collide with the vertical parts of the door's frame, preventing the door from opening freely if such a lock is installed. Therefore, such glass doors are equipped with electromechanical door lock actuators specifically designed for them. However, some retrofitted door locks not specifically designed for glass doors are popular due to their versatility, adaptability, and ease of use. It would be even better if such locks could be adapted for glass doors. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, the object of this invention is to improve the technology in the art. In particular, the object is to provide a more universal door lock actuator device for a specific type of glass door with a narrow profile around the glass panel. The electromechanical door lock actuator device set forth in this invention and claims achieves this objective and has further advantages.

[0009] In short, the electromechanical door lock actuation device includes an actuator module mounted on the metal profile of the glass door, such that the actuator module is offset from the door lock to avoid the actuator module obstructing the opening of the door.

[0010] Specifically, the device is mounted on the surface of the vertical frame profile of the glass door, especially when the frame profile is narrow.

[0011] A typical door in which the device is particularly useful is a glass panel type door, comprising a glass panel surrounded by a metal profile, wherein the glass panel and the metal profile are hinged together in a surrounding frame to form a hinged door. The metal profile surrounding the glass panel includes a vertical side profile for mounting a door lock. Typically, the door lock includes a bolt for locking the door to the frame, wherein the bolt is actuated by a cam in a lock cylinder within the vertical side profile.

[0012] Typically, the lock insert for this type of door has a key slot and is operated by a key. Alternatively, the lock insert is operated by rotating a handle (e.g., a door handle). During retrofitting, to change from manual to electromechanical operation, the handle needs to be removed. Generally, the lock insert must be modified or replaced to work with electromechanical door lock actuators.

[0013] For example, lock inserts are a common type used in the United States, where the lock insert has a cylindrical portion with threads on the outer side of the cylindrical portion. For the specific door mentioned above, the vertical frame profile has mating threads in a cylindrical groove for receiving the lock insert or a corresponding modified lock insert in the groove.

[0014] During the modification process, it is often necessary to remove the existing lock insert from the door, for example, by unscrewing it, and then modify or replace it. The modified lock insert includes an extended connector-pin, which the device receives and rotates to drive the door lock bolt. This is described in more detail below.

[0015] The electromechanical door lock actuation device includes a connector module with a cover. Beneath the cover, the connector module contains a rotatable connector-receiver. During retrofitting, when the connector-pin and accessory lock insert are already provided, the connector-receiver connects to a cam on the lock insert via the connector-pin. The connector-receiver rotates the connector-pin, which in turn rotates the cam to actuate the bolt.

[0016] The electromechanical door lock actuation device also includes an actuator module, which has a housing and a motor inside the housing. The motor is functionally and mechanically connected to the connector-receiver via gears. The operation of the motor causes the gears to rotate, which in turn rotates the combination of the connector-receiver, connector-pin, and cam.

[0017] Advantageously, but not necessarily, the actuator module includes a handle in addition to the motor for manually rotating the connector-receiver via meshing gears, instead of rotating the motor.

[0018] Optionally, the actuator module housing also includes a battery for powering the motor and electronics for controlling the locking and unlocking actions of the motor via a connector-receiver. The electronics include a controller for the motor and optionally a wireless transceiver for receiving wireless locking and unlocking commands and sending wireless status information. Using this wireless control, the door lock can be operated electromechanically via wireless command signals (e.g., from a smartphone to the actuator module or via other wireless data communication devices such as Wi-Fi).

[0019] In a practical embodiment, the connector module includes a rear plate or rear profile, with the rear side connected to the vertical side profile, and the other side supporting the actuator module and the cover plate in a side-by-side relationship.

[0020] As mentioned earlier, when the door is measured laterally from the door plane, the actuator module typically has a certain height, which will cause the actuator module to collide with the frame when the door swings to or from the closing position. To address this, the actuator module is offset from the connector-receiver in a direction away from the door lock position relative to the frame. The connector module has a height H1 at the connector-receiver position including the cover plate, which is less than the height H2 of the actuator module. The height H1 is designed to be relevant to the door to facilitate opening and closing. A useful height H1 is in the range of 10mm to 30mm. The offset of the actuator module is much greater than that of the connector module, preventing the actuator module from colliding with the frame when the door swings between the open and closed positions within the frame. For example, the height H1 of the connector module may not exceed half, or even one-third, of the height H2 of the actuator module.

[0021] However, offset can mean that the actuator module (e.g., after modification) extends above the glass panel to a position far from the vertical edge profile. This occurs if the device has a lateral extension W2 in a direction transverse to the vertical edge profile, and W2 > W1 (where W1 is the width of the door's vertical edge profile and is parallel to the door).

[0022] The operation of the motor can be regulated in various ways by the controller. Importantly, the motor stops operating when the lock bolt has been moved to the end position or at least to a position that ensures locking or unlocking.

[0023] For example, the bolt is continuously driven until it encounters a hardware stop point, which prevents the motor from continuing to drive the bolt, thus increasing the motor's power consumption, which is measured electronically and stops the motor's movement in that direction. Another approach is to use an angular motion decoder, which controls the maximum angle of the connector-receiver, or at least a sufficient angle of rotation, to stop the motor before the bolt reaches the hardware stop point.

[0024] In principle, the device's motor can be started by a power source, which is achieved by manually pressing a button contact that closes the circuit. Alternatively, a relay switch can be used instead of the button contact, for example, in automatic operation. Alternatively, the motor can be started by turning a handle; the decoder reads the rotation of the connector-receiver by manually rotating the handle, thereby starting the motor to help the user lock or unlock the door.

[0025] As a particularly advantageous option, the device is remotely operated via wireless signals. For example, the device includes a receiver located within the housing for receiving and executing wireless digital command data for locking or unlocking a door lock. The receiver is functionally coupled to a motor to start the motor upon receiving the lock or unlock command. For example, the receiver is configured for wireless digital command signals such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Z-wave, ZigBee, or other radio frequency signals. An integrated circuit within the housing is configured and programmed to start the motor in either direction when the receiver receives the corresponding wireless command signal (e.g., from a smartphone or pager). However, typically, the device includes a transceiver for bidirectional digital communication with a programmable computer system for remote control of the device, such as via a smartphone or other type of computer, with the option of encrypted digital communication. The latter can be achieved by transmitting a corresponding encryption key between the integrated circuit and the smartphone or other type of computer used for remote operation of the device. Additionally, additional Wi-Fi transmission to multiple devices is also optional. Attached Figure Description

[0026] The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein...

[0027] Figure 1 A perspective view shows the device mounted on a glass door;

[0028] Figure 2 The photo shows a real scene of the device being installed on a glass door;

[0029] Figure 3 The device is shown after part of the housing has been removed;

[0030] Figure 4 shows a rear view of the device;

[0031] Figure 5 The lock insert is shown.

[0032] Figure label:

[0033] 1-Electromechanical door lock actuation device 1.

[0034] 2-Actuator Module

[0035] 3-Lock insert

[0036] 4-Connector Module

[0037] The first part of the connector module 4 of the 4A-cover lock insert 3

[0038] 4B - Second part of installing actuator module 2

[0039] 5-Lock

[0040] 6-Adapter module cover plate

[0041] 7-Cylindrical wall of actuator module 2

[0042] 8-Manual Handle

[0043] 9-Battery Gate

[0044] 10-battery

[0045] 11-Motor

[0046] 12-Meshing gears

[0047] 13-Connector-Receiver

[0048] 14-Connector-Pin

[0049] 15-Electronic Components

[0050] 16-Controller

[0051] 17-Wireless Transceiver

[0052] 18-Base plate of actuator module 2

[0053] 19- Rear panel of connector module 4

[0054] 20-door

[0055] 21-Vertical edge profile

[0056] 22-Glass Panel

[0057] 23-Framework

[0058] 24-Cam of drive bolt 5 Detailed Implementation

[0059] Figure 1 An electromechanical door lock actuation device 1 is shown, mounted on the vertical side profile 21 of a door 20. The door 20 includes a glass panel 22 framed by surrounding profiles, the vertical side profile 21 being one that is mechanically connected to the other surrounding profiles. Figure 5 As shown, the lock insert 3 is installed within the side profile 21 and is activated by the device 1. The lock insert 3 can activate the locking bolt 5 on the side profile 21.

[0060] The device 1 includes a dual module having an actuator module 2 and a connector module 4, the connector module 4 connecting the actuator module 2 to the lock insert 3.

[0061] The connector module 4 is located above the lock insert 3, and the actuator module 2 is offset toward the glass panel 22. The height H1 of the connector module 4 (measured perpendicular to the edge profile 21) is much smaller than the height H2 of the actuator module 2. For example, H1 is in the range of 10-30 mm, which is very useful for this type of door.

[0062] like Figure 2 As shown in the photograph, the problem of the actuator module 2 with a given height H2 colliding with the frame 23 around the door 20 has been eliminated. Figure 2 It is also explained that installing the actuator module 2 in the position of the connector module 4 will prevent the door from opening, because the actuator module 2 will collide with the frame 23 when it is opened.

[0063] The advantage of device 1 is that the adapter module 2 with a specific height (which has been successfully used for other types of doors) can also be used on glass doors with a narrow profile 21 at the location of the lock insert 3.

[0064] As shown in the figure, connector module 4 connects actuator module 2 to lock insert 3, extending from the position of lock insert on edge profile 21 towards glass panel 22, and possibly even beyond glass panel 22. Connector module 4 has a first portion 4A covering lock insert 3 and a second portion 4B mounting actuator module 2. In the figure, the second portion extends to and above the glass panel. The first portion 4A and the second portion 4B are positioned side by side, such that actuator module 2 is laterally offset from lock insert 3 in a direction away from frame 23.

[0065] like Figure 1 As shown, the vertical side profile 21 has a width W1, and the device 1 has a lateral extension W2 parallel to the door 20 in the lateral direction of the vertical side profile 21, wherein W2 is greater than W1. Therefore, the actuator module 2 extends above the glass panel 22 to a position away from the vertical side profile 21.

[0066] Actuator module 2 has a housing 7 extending from connector module 4 to manual handle 8, which acts as a cover for actuator module 2. In addition to its electric function, manual handle 8 can also be used for manually locking and unlocking the door. As part of the housing 7 of actuator module 2, a door 9 is provided for accessing the battery 10 within actuator module 2.

[0067] The cover plate 6 of the connector module 4 covers the position of the locking insert 3 inside the connector module 4, and the locking insert is located in the side profile 21 below the connector module 4.

[0068] Figure 3 A view of device 1 is shown, in which housing 7 and cover 6 have been removed to expose the interior.

[0069] Actuator module 2 includes multiple batteries 10 for powering motor 11, which can be driven in opposite directions by switching the current direction. During operation, motor 11 drives meshing gears 12. The gears of actuator module 2 mesh with the gears of connector module 4.

[0070] The connector module 4 includes a connector-receiver 13 that connects the motor-driven gear 12 to the rotary locking actuator connector-pin 14 of the door lock.

[0071] Actuator module 2 includes electronics 15 for controlling the locking and unlocking actions of motor 11 via adapter module 3. Electronics 15 includes a controller 16 for motor 11 and a wireless transceiver 17 for receiving digital wireless commands, such as programming or execution commands, and transmitting wireless status information.

[0072] Typically, wireless communication is achieved via Bluetooth with smartphones and / or via WiFi systems. Several other options are also available, including Z-wave, ZigBee, or other types of radio frequency signals.

[0073] The controller 16 includes a start / stop function that rotates the rotary connector-receiver 13, thereby rotating the connector-pin 14 of the door lock insert 3 until the door bolt 5 reaches the appropriate position for the open or closed state of the door 20. The start-stop function can be programmed into the computer program of the controller 16, or it can be implemented by a sensor that measures the resistance of the bolt 5. For example, the controller can be programmed to control the angular movement of the connector-pin 14 in relation to the distance the bolt 5 moves, to ensure that the bolt 5 moves sufficiently to lock the door 20.

[0074] Actuator module 2 includes a base plate 18 located at its lower end. The base plate 18 is mounted to connector module 4, which in turn is mounted on door 20. Therefore, connector module 4 is located between actuator module 2 and door 20. The gears of actuator module 2 mesh with the gears of connector module 4, driving connector-receiver 13 via motor 11.

[0075] Figure 4 The rear side of connector module 4 is shown, its plane abutting the surface of door 20 during installation. Lock insert 3 includes cam 24, which connects to connector pin 14, and when connector pin 14 is driven to rotate by motor 11, cam 24 drives bolt 5 by rotation.

[0076] When the device is installed on the door 20, the lock insert 3 is installed on the vertical side profile 21 of the door. When the rear plate 19 of the connector module 4 is installed on the surface of the vertical side profile 21, the connector pin 14 is inserted into the connector receiver 13. The installation direction is such that the actuator module 2 is located at the far end of the frame 23 around the door 20.

Claims

1. A door (20) comprising a glass panel (22) surrounded by a metal profile, said glass panel (22) hinged in combination with the metal profile in a surrounding frame (23) to form a hinged door, characterized in that, The metal profile surrounding the glass panel (22) includes a vertical side profile (21) for setting a door lock, the door lock including a bolt (5) for locking the door (20) onto the frame (23), the bolt (5) being driven by a cam (24) of a lock insert (3) within the vertical side profile (21); The electromechanical door lock actuator (1) is mounted on the surface of the vertical side profile (21); The electromechanical door lock actuation device (1) includes - Connector module (4), including cover plate (6), and a rotary connector-receiver (13) is mounted below the cover plate (6). The connector-receiver (13) is connected to the cam (24) of the lock insert (3) via connector-pin (14) so ​​that the cam (24) is rotated via the connector-receiver (13) and the bolt (5) is driven via the cam (24). -Actuator module (2), including housing (7) and motor (11) inside housing (7), said motor (11) being functionally and mechanically connected to connector-receiver (13) via gear (12) so that the operation of motor (11) causes gear (12) to rotate and causes the combination of connector-receiver (13), connector-pin (14) and cam (24) to rotate; The actuator module (2) includes a handle (8) for manually rotating the connector-receiver (13) by means of meshing gears (12) in lieu of rotation of the motor (11); The connector module (4) includes a rear plate (19), the rear side of which is connected to the vertical frame outline (21), and the other side carries the actuator module (2) and the cover plate (6) in a side-by-side relationship. The actuator module (2) is offset from the connector-receiver (13) in a direction away from the frame (23) at the door lock position. The height H1 of the connector module (4) at the connector-receiver (13) position including the cover plate (6) is less than the height H2 of the actuator module to prevent the actuator module (2) from colliding with the frame (23) when the door (20) swings between the open and closed positions in the frame (23).

2. The door (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vertical side profile (21) has a width W1, and the device has a lateral extension W2 in a direction that is transverse to the vertical side profile (21) and parallel to the door. For the actuator module (2) that extends on the glass panel (22) to a position away from the vertical side profile (21), W2 is greater than W1.

3. The door (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that, H1 is less than half of H2.

4. The gate (20) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The housing (7) of the actuator module (2) contains a battery (10) for powering the motor (11) and an electronic device (15) for controlling the locking and unlocking actions of the motor (11) via the connector-receiver (13). The electronic device (15) includes a controller (16) for the motor (11) and a wireless transceiver (17) for wireless communication, used to receive wireless commands for locking and unlocking and to send wireless status information.

5. The gate (20) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The lock insert (3) has a cylindrical portion with threads on the outer side of the cylindrical portion, and the vertical side profile (21) has mating threads in the cylindrical groove for receiving the lock insert (3) in the groove.

6. An electromechanical door lock actuation device (1) for mounting to the surface of a vertical side profile (21) in a door (20) according to any one of the preceding claims; Its features are, Electromechanical door lock actuation device (1) includes - Connector module (4), including cover plate (6), and a rotary connector-receiver (13) is mounted under the cover plate (6), the connector-receiver (13) being connected to the cam (24) of the lock insert (3) via connector-pin (14) to drive the cam (24) to rotate the connector-pin (14) and drive the bolt (5) via the cam (24). -Actuator module (2), including housing (7) and motor (11) inside housing (7), said motor (11) being functionally and mechanically connected to connector-receiver (13) via gear (12) so that the operation of motor (11) causes gear (12) to rotate and causes the combination of connector-receiver (13), connector-pin (14) and cam (24) to rotate; The actuator module (2) includes a handle (8) for manually rotating the connector-receiver (13) by means of meshing gears (12) in lieu of rotation of the motor (11); The connector module (4) includes a rear plate (19), the rear side of which is connected to the vertical side profile (21), and the other side carries the actuator module (2) and the cover plate (6) in a side-by-side relationship. The actuator module (2) is offset from the connector-receiver (13) in a direction away from the frame (23) at the door lock position. The height H1 of the connector module (4) at the connector-receiver (13) position including the cover plate (6) is less than the height H2 of the actuator module to prevent the actuator module (2) from colliding with the frame (23) when the door (20) swings between the open and closed positions in the frame (23).

7. The apparatus (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The housing (7) of the actuator module (2) contains a battery (10) for powering the motor (11) and an electronic device (15) for controlling the locking and unlocking actions of the motor (11) via the connector-receiver (13). The electronic device (15) includes a controller (16) for the motor (11) and a wireless transceiver (17) for wireless communication, used to receive wireless commands for locking and unlocking and to send wireless status information.

8. The apparatus (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The housing (7) of the actuator module is cylindrical, wherein H1 is less than half of H2.

9. A method for modifying the electromechanical door lock actuation device (1) of claim 6 or 7 in a framed glass door, characterized in that, The method includes: - A door (20) is provided, the door (20) comprising a glass panel (22) surrounded by a metal profile, the glass panel (22) being hinged to the metal profile in a surrounding frame (23) to form a hinged door, wherein the metal profile surrounding the glass panel (22) includes a vertical side profile (21) fitted with a door lock, the door lock including a bolt (5) for locking the door (20) onto the frame (23), the bolt (5) being driven by a cam (24) of a lock insert (3) within the vertical side profile (21); the lock insert (3) being manually operated by a handle or key to open and close the door (20). The modification methods include: - Remove the existing lock insert (3) from the door (20); - Modify or replace the lock insert (3) with a modified lock insert (3) with an extension connector pin (14); - With the connector pin (14) extending into the connector receiver (13), the device (1) is mounted onto the surface of the vertical side profile (21), the orientation of the device (1) such that the actuator module (2) is offset from the connector receiver (13) in a direction away from the location of the door insert (3) in the frame (23) to prevent the actuator module (2) from colliding with the frame (23) when the door (20) swings between the open and closed positions in the frame (23).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The method includes sending wireless command signals to the actuator module (2) via a smartphone to operate the door lock electromechanically.

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