ELECTRONIC LOCKING UNIT

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic locking unit for locking a door. For this purpose, the electronic locking unit has at least one knob with an identification function, which is attached to a guide shaft. The guide shaft is inserted with a free end into an axially continuous cavity of a cylinder profile. After successful identification, the guide shaft interacts with a locking mechanism of the locking unit and enables locking of the locking unit or the door through a rotational movement of the at least one knob with an identification function. State of the art

[0002] Even today, mechanical locking units or locking cylinders are still frequently used to lock and unlock doors in buildings, apartments, rooms, etc. Such locking cylinders usually have a cylinder housing or cylinder profile and a cylinder core within it, which can be rotated in the housing using a suitable key. This allows a locking mechanism, usually located approximately in the middle of the cylinder profile (e.g., a locking lug or driver that can be rotated relative to the cylinder profile), to be moved to lock (i.e., unlock or lock) a door. For example, so-called double cylinders, which can be locked on both sides with the appropriate key, are the most widely used for locking doors in apartments, houses, etc. Alternatively, there are mechanical locking cylinders with different designs depending on the area of ​​application and use - such as:Cylinders that can only be locked from one side using a suitable key and have a knob on the other side that is connected to the locking mechanism in a rotationally fixed manner and whose rotation can be used to open or close the door.

[0003] However, electronic locking units or locking cylinders are increasingly being used instead of the familiar mechanical locking units. Such locking units can usually be locked keyless by identifying authorized persons. Numerical codes, programmed fingerprints or other biometric data, RFID cards or chips can be used to identify authorized persons. Such locking units therefore usually have an identification function through which entered identification data (e.g. numerical code, fingerprint) or RFID cards or chips brought within range of the locking unit are evaluated. Depending on the result of the identification, the locking unit is then controlled in such a way that the door or lock can be locked (i.e. unlocked or locked) or not.

[0004] For this purpose, the locking unit can, for example, have at least one knob with an identification function, which evaluates the entered identification data and / or RFID cards or chips. This knob can, for example, be attached to the outside of the door. A knob without an identification function is often provided on the inside of the door, to which the locking mechanism (e.g. a locking lug or driver arranged to rotate relative to the cylinder profile) is firmly - usually non-rotatably - connected or coupled. This means that by operating or turning the knob on the inside of the door, the locking unit or the door can be locked or unlocked easily without identification. Alternatively, a knob with an identification function can also be attached to the inside of the door, so that identification is also necessary for locking.

[0005] Furthermore, the at least one knob with identification function of the locking unit is attached to a guide shaft which - as a cylinder core - is arranged in an axially continuous cavity of a cylinder profile of the locking unit. The guide shaft can be rotated, for example, by actuating or turning the knob and, after the successful identification of a person with access authorization, interacts with the locking mechanism of the locking unit (e.g. a locking lug or driver arranged so as to be rotatable relative to the cylinder profile). This means that by appropriate control - for example via a control unit in the knob with identification function - the guide shaft is coupled, for example mechanically or electromagnetically, to the locking mechanism and can interact with it. The interaction of the guide shaft and the locking mechanism means that a rotating movement of the knob with identification function of the locking unit orthe door is unlocked or locked.

[0006] If identification is unsuccessful, the locking unit is not activated. The guide shaft then does not interact with the locking mechanism - for example, the mechanical, electromagnetic, etc. coupling between the guide shaft and the locking mechanism is lost. Locking the locking unit or the door is then not possible. When the knob is operated, it can rotate freely, i.e., the knob can be turned 360° "without resistance" without the locking unit being locked. Alternatively, movement of the knob can also be blocked without prior, successful identification, and the knob can only be released upon successful identification.

[0007] However, such electronic locking units have the disadvantage that identification is required for each locking operation—i.e., both for unlocking and locking the door. Since, in particular, the interaction between the guide shaft and the locking mechanism can only be activated for a short time, e.g., a few seconds, after successful identification, multiple identifications may be necessary, for example, for a locking operation.

[0008] Furthermore, such electronic locking units often have the disadvantage that only a knob located on the inside of the door - usually a knob without an identification function - can be removed for installation. The knob located on the outside of the door when the locking unit is installed - usually the at least one knob with an identification function for the locking function - is usually fixed to the guide shaft for security reasons and this is arranged in the cylinder profile in such a way that it can only be adjusted to a certain door or lock thickness, for example. This means that the electronic locking unit can only be inserted into the door lock from the outside of the door towards the inside of the door and is then fastened in the door using a so-called centering screw and by the knob that is attached to the inside of the door.This limitation during installation, especially for doors with security fittings that are supposed to protect the cylinder and door lock, in particular from mechanical manipulation, causes problems. Description of the invention

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing an electronic locking unit which enables the door to be locked or secured in a simple and secure manner even without prior identification and which is easy and efficient to install.

[0010] This object is achieved by an electronic locking unit according to the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0011] According to the invention, this object is achieved by an electronic locking unit for locking a door of the type specified above, in which an actuating element and a coupling element are arranged in the guide shaft, wherein the actuating element is movable relative to the guide shaft and holds the coupling element in an initial position. In the initial position, a portion of the coupling element protrudes radially through an outlet in the guide shaft.The portion of the coupling element projecting through the outlet is designed in such a way that it interacts with notches which are provided on an inner side of the locking mechanism of the locking unit in such a way that when the at least one knob with identification function rotates without prior identification in a locking direction, the portion of the coupling element projecting through the outlet engages in one of the notches and the locking mechanism of the locking unit is thereby moved along, and when the at least one knob with identification function rotates without prior identification in an unlocking direction, the portion of the coupling element projecting through the outlet does not engage in one of the notches.

[0012] The main aspect of the proposed solution is that, without prior identification on the knob with identification function, locking or locking is always possible by turning the knob in the locking direction, but unauthenticated unlocking or unlocking of the door is prevented by turning the knob in the unlocking direction. This means that locking is always possible without identification, which saves time and makes things easier for an authorized person, for example, because when leaving a house, apartment, etc., the knob with identification function, which is usually attached to the outside of the door, only needs to be turned in the locking direction to lock the door. If the knob with identification function is turned in the unlocking direction without prior identification, the section of the coupling element protruding through the outlet does not engage in one of the notches - i.e.The knob rotates when moved in the unlocking direction, preventing the door from being unlocked or opened, and in particular, preventing unauthorized unlocking. Only after successful identification on the knob with the identification function is the guide shaft coupled to the locking mechanism in such a way that turning the knob in the unlocking direction allows the door to be unlocked or opened.

[0013] It is advantageous if the coupling element can be moved from the starting position to a further position by actuating the actuating element after successful identification. In the further position, the portion of the coupling element which protrudes through the outlet in the guide shaft in the starting position is retracted into the guide shaft and a further portion of the coupling element protrudes radially out of the guide shaft through a further outlet in the guide shaft. Alternatively, instead of one coupling element, two coupling elements can be attached to the guide shaft; in this case, in the further position, a portion of the second coupling element protrudes radially out of the guide shaft, wherein the second coupling element can also be moved by the actuating element. The further portion of the coupling element protruding from the guide shaft orthe partial area of ​​the second coupling element which projects from the guide shaft is designed in such a way that the further partial area of ​​the coupling element or the partial area of ​​the second coupling element interacts with the notches on the inside of the locking mechanism of the locking unit in such a way that when the at least one knob with identification function is rotated in the unlocking direction, the further partial area of ​​the coupling element or the partial area of ​​the second coupling element engages in one of the notches and the locking mechanism is moved along with it, and that when the at least one knob with identification function is rotated in the locking direction, the further partial area of ​​the coupling element or the partial area of ​​the second coupling element does not engage in one of the notches. This means that after successful identification, the coupling element orThe two coupling elements are moved in such a way that the further section of the coupling element or the section of the second coupling element now protrudes through the further outlet in the guide shaft, through which a coupling between the guide shaft and the locking mechanism is established in such a way that turning the knob with identification function in the unlocking direction unlocks the door or unlocks it. Turning the knob in the locking direction causes the door to "spin" due to the lack of coupling between the guide shaft and the locking mechanism.

[0014] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the coupling element can be returned from the further position to the starting position due to at least one predeterminable event (e.g. opening and subsequent closing of the door, etc.) or after a predeterminable period of time by actuating the actuating element. In the event that two coupling elements are provided instead of one coupling element, these are returned to their respective starting positions by the at least one predeterminable event or after a predeterminable period of time by actuating the actuating element. This means that by returning to the starting position, the partial area of ​​the coupling element now projects again through the outlet in the guide shaft, through which the guide shaft is coupled to the locking mechanism in such a way that turning the knob with identification function only allows the door to be locked or bolted.

[0015] It is also advantageous if an application can be used to determine for each door which of the possible directions of rotation of the at least one knob with identification function is the locking direction and which of the possible directions of rotation of the at least one knob with identification function is the unlocking direction. The opening direction of a door is usually determined by a hinge side. The hinge side of a door is the side of the door to which the hinges (= a movable connection between the door leaf and the door frame or casing) are attached and may also be visible. Depending on the hinge side, doors that open to the right or left result, whereby the terms left-opening door and right-opening door are regulated, for example, in Germany by a corresponding DIN standard (DIN 107) and in Austria by a corresponding ÖNORM (ÖNORM B 5328) or by the standard EN 12519.Depending on the respective opening direction of the door in which the locking unit is installed, it can then be determined, for example, during assembly of the locking unit, whether a first direction of rotation of the knob with identification function is the locking direction and a second direction of rotation of the knob with identification function is the unlocking direction or vice versa.

[0016] Advantageously, at least one portion of the coupling element, which in the initial position protrudes through the outlet from the guide shaft, is wedge-shaped. This allows for easy engagement with one of the notches provided on the inside of the locking mechanism when turning in the locking direction, and for rotation when turning in the unlocking direction. Furthermore, it is also advantageous if the further portion of the coupling element or the portion of the second coupling element, which in the further position protrudes through the further outlet from the guide shaft, is also wedge-shaped.

[0017] A preferred embodiment of the electronic locking element provides that the actuating element is designed as a rotary pin, at whose free end a spring pin is eccentrically arranged, wherein the coupling element has a slot into which a free end of the spring pin engages. This allows the coupling element to be easily moved—e.g., by rotating the rotary pin—from the starting position to the further position or from the further position back to the starting position.

[0018] Ideally, at least one knob with identification function is configured to move the actuating element using a drive unit. This allows the actuating element to be actuated very easily and efficiently upon successful identification in order to move the coupling element from its initial position to the next position. This ideally switches the locking unit from "locking" to "unlocking." Furthermore, upon the occurrence of at least one predetermined event (e.g., the door opening, etc.) or upon the expiration of a predetermined period of time, the actuating element can be very easily controlled and actuated accordingly in order to return the coupling element to its initial position, so that only locking or locking of the door is possible.

[0019] A further, practical embodiment of the electronic locking element provides for a locking pin to be arranged in the cylinder profile of the locking element, spring-mounted via a spring element. The spring action of the spring element presses the locking pin into the axially continuous cavity of the cylinder profile. Furthermore, circumferential locking grooves are provided on the circumference of the guide shaft, whereby when the guide shaft is inserted into the cavity of the cylinder profile (e.g. when installing the locking unit), the locking pin engages in one of the circumferential locking grooves. This allows the locking unit to be easily installed in any door (e.g. with existing security fittings) and in any way - i.e. from the inside or outside of the door.The guide shaft, to which the at least one knob with identification function is attached, is pushed into the cavity of the cylinder profile during assembly and is fixed in the cavity by the locking pin engaging due to the spring action of the spring element in one of the circumferential locking grooves of the guide shaft, so that pulling out the guide shaft or simply removing the knob with identification function is no longer possible.

[0020] The locking pin is advantageously wedge-shaped, with a beveled surface of the wedge-shaped locking pin pointing in the insertion direction of the guide shaft. Another surface of the wedge-shaped locking pin, which is perpendicular to the insertion direction of the guide shaft, points away from the insertion direction. The wedge-shaped design of the locking pin allows the guide shaft to be easily pushed further into the cavity until the locking pin engages in a circumferential locking groove of the guide shaft, in which the electronic locking unit is adapted, for example, to a door thickness.

[0021] Ideally, the circumferential locking grooves are designed in a ramp shape on the side facing the locking pin when inserting the guide shaft into the cavity of the cylinder profile. This significantly facilitates the insertion of the guide shaft and its further insertion.

[0022] After inserting the guide shaft into the cylinder profile cavity and after the locking pin has engaged in one of the guide shaft's locking grooves, the guide shaft can only be released from the cylinder profile cavity by tensioning the spring element. To prevent unauthorized release of the guide shaft and thus the knob with identification function, an area for tensioning the spring element is located inside the door and is ideally only accessible for disassembling the electronic locking unit, for example. Short description of the characters

[0023] The present invention is described below with reference to the Figures 1 to 5b which show exemplary, schematic and non-limiting advantageous embodiments of the invention. Fig. 1 an electronic locking unit in a modular state Fig. 2a longitudinal section through an embodiment of the electronic locking unit in the area of ​​the guide shaft in an assembled state Fig. 3a a longitudinal section through another embodiment of the electronic locking unit in the area of ​​the guide shaft in the assembled state Fig. 3b a cross section through the further embodiment of the electronic locking unit along a section line A - A Fig. 4 a longitudinal section through a further, alternative embodiment of the electronic locking unit in the area of ​​the guide shaft in the assembled state Fig. 5a a special design of the electronic locking unit for easier assembly in modular state Fig. 5b a longitudinal section through the special design of the electronic locking unit for easier installation in the assembled state

[0024] In Figure 1the electronic locking unit 1 according to the invention for locking a door is shown schematically and by way of example in a modular state, e.g. for installation in a door. The electronic locking unit 1 essentially has a cylinder profile 2, which can be designed, for example, as a profile cylinder profile and can be used in conventional door locks. However, the cylinder profile 2 can also have any other external shape. The cylinder profile 2 can consist of two profile parts which are connected via a connecting piece 3. A centering bore 4 can be provided in the connecting piece 3, through which the locking unit 1 is fixed after it has been fitted in the door, e.g. with a centering screw.

[0025] Furthermore, the locking unit 1 has a locking mechanism 5, such as a locking lug or driver arranged so as to be rotatable with respect to the cylinder profile 2. By appropriately actuating the locking mechanism 5, the locking unit 1 can lock the door in the installed state—i.e., ensure that the door is locked or bolted, or unlocked or locked.

[0026] Furthermore, the locking unit 1 has at least one knob 6 with an identification function. This knob 6 is intended, for example, for attachment to the outside of the door on the locking unit 1. With the help of the identification function, entered identification data (e.g., numeric code, fingerprint, or other biometric data) can be evaluated, whereby the knob 6 with the identification function can have corresponding devices for data entry (e.g., numeric keypad, fingerprint sensor, etc.). Alternatively or additionally, RFID cards or chips brought within range of the locking unit 1 can also be read and evaluated using the identification function, or identification can take place via a mobile phone (e.g., Bluetooth interface). For this purpose, the knob 6 with the identification function can also have corresponding devices, such as, for example, antennas, receiving units, etc.Furthermore, at least in an emergency, it can be provided that the locking unit 1 can also be opened mechanically by means of an emergency key.

[0027] Furthermore, the knob 6 with identification function is attached to a guide shaft 7. In the assembled state of the locking unit 1, the guide shaft 7 is arranged in an axially continuous cavity 8 of the cylinder profile, into which the guide shaft 7 is inserted with a free end during assembly and / or installation of the locking unit 1. The guide shaft 7 is rotatable by actuating the knob 6 and can interact with the locking mechanism 5 to lock the door. For this purpose, a coupling element 9 is provided in the guide shaft 7, which projects with a partial area 10 through an outlet 11 in the guide shaft 7. The interaction of the guide shaft 7 or the coupling element 9 with the locking mechanism 5 is explained below using examples shown in the Figures 2 , 3a ,3b and 4 illustrated embodiments of the locking unit 1 are explained in more detail.

[0028] The locking unit 1 also comprises a further knob 12, which can be designed, for example, as a rotary knob 12, and is attached, for example, to the inside of a door when the locking unit 1 is assembled. This further knob 12 often has no identification function and can be connected or coupled, for example, via a connecting shaft 13, to the locking mechanism 5 in a rotationally fixed manner. As a result, the door can be easily locked or unlocked without identification by operating the further knob 12. Alternatively, the further knob 12, like knob 6, can also be equipped with an identification function, for example for security reasons.

[0029] Figure 2shows, by way of example and schematically, a longitudinal section through a possible embodiment of the closing unit 1 in the assembled state, wherein an area of ​​the free end of the guide shaft 7 is shown in particular. The guide shaft 7 is arranged in the axially continuous cavity 8 of the cylinder profile 2 and can be rotated relative to the cylinder profile 2 via the knob 6 with identification function. An actuating element 14 and the coupling element 9 are arranged within the guide shaft 7. The coupling element 9 is held in an initial position by the actuating element 14 or by a free end of the actuating element 14. In the initial position, the coupling element 9 protrudes with the partial area 10 in the radial direction through the outlet 11 in the guide shaft 7.The partial area 10 of the coupling element 9 is designed such that the partial area 10 interacts with notches 15 which are attached to an inner side of the locking mechanism 5 of the locking unit 1 - for example in a connecting sleeve which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner, for example, to a locking lug or a driver. The interaction between the partial area 10 of the coupling element 9 and the notches 15 is such that, without prior identification, upon a rotational movement of the knob 6 with identification function and thus a rotational movement of the guide shaft 7 in a blocking direction, the partial area 10 of the coupling element 9 protruding through the outlet 11 couples into one of the notches 15 of the locking mechanism 5. The locking mechanism 5 of the locking unit 1 is then moved along, and the door in which the locking unit 1 is attached is thereby locked or locked without prior identification.If the knob 6 with identification function is rotated – without prior identification – in a direction opposite to the locking direction, i.e., in the unlocking direction, the section 10 of the coupling element 9 protruding through the outlet 11 interacts with the notches 15 in such a way that the section 10 does not engage in one of the notches 15. This means that the knob 6 can be rotated freely because the guide shaft 7 "slips" or ratchets through. This means that a door can be locked with the locking unit 1 by operating the knob 6 with identification function without prior identification. However, unlocking is not possible because the knob 6 with identification function rotates.To enable such interaction between the partial area 10 of the coupling element 9 and the notches 15 on the inside of the locking mechanism 5 (coupling during a rotational movement in the locking direction and no latching during a rotational movement in the unlocking direction), the partial area 10 of the coupling element 9 can, for example, be wedge-shaped. Additionally, the actuating element 14 or the free end of the actuating element 14 can be designed such that it has an at least slight spring effect, by which the partial area 10 of the coupling element 9 is pressed into the outlet 11, particularly during a rotational movement of the guide shaft 7 in the unlocking direction.

[0030] After successful identification, the coupling element 9 can be retracted into the guide shaft 7 by actuating the actuating element 14, for example through the outlet 11. The actuating element 14 is movable relative to the guide shaft 7 for this purpose. It can be moved, for example, by a drive unit with a rotational movement D about a central axis M of the guide shaft 7 and / or with a movement T along the central axis M of the guide shaft 7. A movement N of the actuating element 14 normal to the central axis M of the guide shaft is also conceivable. The knob 6 with identification function can also be configured to move the actuating element 14 after successful identification by means of the drive unit. A corresponding control or control logic can be provided for this purpose in the knob 6 with identification function. Furthermore, the drive unit itself can also be arranged in the knob 6 with identification function.

[0031] Furthermore, after successful identification, the guide shaft 7 is coupled to the locking mechanism 5 in such a way that the door can be unlocked by rotating the knob 6 with identification function in the unlocking direction. This coupling can be achieved, for example, electromagnetically, but also - as in the Figures 3a , 3b or 4 as shown by way of example. The corresponding control or control logic for this can also be provided in the knob 6 with identification function. Furthermore, it can be provided that, at least in an emergency (e.g., malfunction of the identification function), the locking unit 1 can be unlocked and the door unlocked with an emergency key. For this purpose, for example, a turning of the emergency key can be transmitted to the actuating element 14 via a mechanical coupling in such a way that the coupling element 9 is retracted into the guide shaft and the drive unit is mechanically moved along with it.

[0032] A determination of which of the rotation directions of the knob 6 with identification function is the locking direction and which of the rotation directions of the knob 6 with identification function is the unlocking direction can be made, for example, on a door-specific basis during assembly of the locking unit 1. For this purpose, an application can be used, for example, which can be run and called up on a mobile device (e.g., laptop, mobile phone, etc.). In this way, the locking unit 1 can be adapted, for example, to right- or left-opening doors, and the starting position of the coupling element 9 can be set accordingly so that the door can be locked or bolted without identification.

[0033] Figure 3ashows, by way of example and schematically, a longitudinal section through a further embodiment of the locking unit 1 in the assembled state, wherein again the area around the free end of the guide shaft 7 is shown. The guide shaft 7 is again arranged in the cavity 8 of the cylinder profile 2 and is rotatable relative to the cylinder profile 2 via the knob 6 with identification function. Inside the guide shaft 7, the actuating element 14 and a coupling element 9 are again arranged, wherein in the Figure 3aIn the exemplary illustration, the coupling element 9 is held in the starting position by the actuating element 14. The partial area 10 of the coupling element 9 projects through the outlet 11 in the guide shaft 7. In the starting position, the partial area 10 of the coupling element 9 projecting through the outlet 11 interacts with the notches 15 on the inside of the locking mechanism 5 in such a way that when the at least one knob 6 with identification function is rotated in the locking direction, the partial area 10 of the coupling element 9 engages in one of the notches 15 and the locking mechanism 5 is moved along with it, and when the at least one knob 6 with identification function is rotated in the unlocking direction, the partial area 10 of the coupling element 9 does not engage in one of the notches 15.

[0034] On a side of the coupling element 9 opposite the partial area 10, a further partial area 16 is provided, which after successful identification - for example by entering a numerical code, a fingerprint or other biometric data or by means of an RFID card or chip, etc. - can be moved by the actuating element 14 through a further outlet 17 in the guide shaft 7 in the direction of movement P. This means that after successful identification, the coupling element 9 is Figure 3ashown starting position is displaced by the actuating element 14 into a further position in the direction of movement P. In this further position, the partial area 10 of the coupling element 9 is then retracted through the outlet 11 into the guide shaft 7. This means that it can no longer interact with the notches 15 on the inside of the locking mechanism 5. Furthermore, in the further position, the further partial area 16 of the coupling element 9 now protrudes radially from the further outlet 17 in the guide shaft 7.The further partial area 16 of the coupling element 9 is now designed such that it interacts with the notches 15 provided on the inside of the locking mechanism 5 of the locking unit 1 in such a way that upon a rotational movement of the knob 6 with identification function in the unlocking direction, the further partial area 16 of the coupling element 9 engages in one of the notches 15 and the locking mechanism 5 is moved along with it, whereas upon a rotational movement of the at least one knob 6 with identification function in the locking direction, the further partial area 16 of the coupling element 9 does not engage in one of the notches 15. This means that after successful identification, the door is unlocked by turning the knob 6 in the unlocking direction, while the knob 6 or the guide shaft 7 "ratchets" or rotates when turned in the locking direction.

[0035] The coupling element 9 is moved from the starting position to the further position by the actuating element 14, which is moved by the drive unit after successful identification. The actuating element 14 can, for example, be designed as a rotary pin. A spring pin 18 can, for example, be arranged eccentrically at the free end of the rotary pin 14. For this purpose, the spring pin 18 can, for example, be arranged in a notch in the surface of the actuating element 14, which runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the actuating element 14, and can be fastened to the actuating element 14 with a bent end in a force-fitting or form-fitting manner - e.g. by means of a press fit in a blind hole at the end of the notch. The free end of the spring pin 18 then interacts with the coupling element 9, so that the coupling element 9 can be moved from the starting position to the further position, but also back to the starting position.For this purpose, the coupling element 9 has, for example, a slot 19 into which the free end of the spring pin 18 engages. The slot 19 can, for example, be provided centrally between the partial area 10 and the further partial area 16. However, other connection variants (positive locking, non-positive locking, etc.) are also conceivable, which cause the coupling element 9 to interact or move with the actuating element 14 or the spring pin 18.

[0036] In order to move the coupling element 9 from its initial position to its next position following successful identification, the actuating element 14 performs a rotary movement D (e.g., by 180°) about the central axis M of the guide shaft 7. Due to the eccentric arrangement of the spring pin 18, the rotary movement D is converted into a translatory movement, whereby the coupling element 9 is moved from its initial position to its next position. This means that the partial area 10 of the coupling element 9 is retracted into the guide shaft 7 through the outlet 11, and the further partial area 16 of the coupling element 9 is pushed out of the guide shaft 7 through the outlet 17 in the direction of movement P, or in the radial direction. As a result, the further partial area 16 of the coupling element 9 can now interact with the notches 15 in such a way that the door is unlocked when the knob 6 with identification function is turned in the unlocking direction.

[0037] Furthermore, it can be provided that the coupling element 9 is reset from the further position to the starting position via the actuation of the actuating element 14 due to at least one predeterminable event, such as the opening and / or closing of the door. For this purpose, the actuating element 14 can be rotated, for example, counter to the rotational movement D (e.g. by 180°), whereby the coupling element 9 is moved translationally in the direction P back to the starting position. After this movement, the partial area 10 of the coupling element 9 protrudes again through the outlet 11 in the guide shaft 7 and, through its interaction with the notches 15, only enables the door to be locked. The further partial area 16 of the coupling element 9 is then retracted back into the guide shaft 7.

[0038] Alternatively or in addition to the at least one predeterminable event, a time period (e.g., a few seconds) can also be specified, after which the actuating element 14 returns the coupling element 9 from the further position to the starting position. This time period can be set, for example, during assembly and can be provided, for example, in the knob 6 with the identification function as a timer function.

[0039] Furthermore, it is provided that the coupling element 9 can be mechanically moved from its initial position to the further position using an emergency key, at least in an emergency, such as a malfunction of the identification function on the knob 6, in order to unlock the door. For this purpose, the rotary movement of the emergency key is transmitted to the actuating element 14 via a mechanical coupling, for example, in order to move the coupling element 9 so that the door can subsequently be unlocked. The drive unit, which usually moves the actuating element 14 automatically when the identification function is functioning, is also moved mechanically in this case.

[0040] In Figure 3b is also a cross-section through the Figure 3aillustrated embodiment of the electronic locking unit 1 along a section line A - A, wherein the coupling element 9 is held in the starting position by the actuating element 14. The partial area 10 of the coupling element 9 projects through the outlet 11 in the guide shaft into the cavity 8 and can interact with the notches 15 of the locking mechanism 5 during rotary movements of the knob 6 with identification function in the locking direction or in the unlocking direction in such a way that when the knob 6 is rotated in the locking direction, the coupling element 9 is coupled and when the knob 6 is rotated in the unlocking direction, the guide shaft 7 rotates or the coupling element is not coupled.

[0041] The partial area 10 of the coupling element 9 is for example - as in Figure 3bshown by way of example - wedge-shaped. A vertical edge of the wedge-shaped partial area 10 is arranged in such a way that when the guide shaft 7 rotates in the locking direction, the partial area 10 engages in one of the notches 15. The guide shaft 7 is thereby coupled to the locking mechanism 5 and moves the latter during the rotary movement S. A ramp-shaped or oblique edge of the wedge-shaped partial area 10 is arranged in such a way that when the guide shaft 7 rotates in the opposite direction to the rotary movement S - i.e. the knob 6 and thus the guide shaft 7 is now rotated in the unlocking direction - the partial area 10 is prevented from engaging in one of the notches 15. This means that the partial area 10 repeatedly slips out of the notches 15 during the rotary movement E of the guide shaft 7.This effect is additionally reinforced by the spring pin 18 of the actuating element 14, which enables the coupling element 9 to be pushed at least slightly into the outlet 11 of the guide shaft 7.

[0042] The further partial area 16 of the coupling element 9, which in the further position - after successful identification - projects through the further outlet 17 from the guide shaft 7 into the cavity 8, can also be wedge-shaped. For example, the vertical edge of the wedge-shaped partial area 16 is arranged such that during the rotary movement E of the guide shaft 7 in the unlocking direction, the partial area 16 engages in one of the notches 15 of the locking mechanism 5. The rotary movement E of the guide shaft 7 now moves the locking mechanism in the unlocking direction and the door can be unlocked. A ramp-shaped or oblique edge of the wedge-shaped partial area 16 is arranged such that during a rotary movement S in the opposite direction of the rotary movement S or in the locking direction, the partial area 16 of the coupling element 9 does not engage in one of the notches 15 of the locking mechanism 5. Ie, during a rotary movement E, the partial area 16 repeatedly slips out of the notches 15 and can additionally be pressed into the further outlet 17 in the guide shaft 7 due to the spring action of the spring pin 18, whereby locking is prevented in a simple and safe manner.

[0043] Alternatively, as in Figure 4 As shown by way of example, instead of one coupling element 9, two coupling elements 9, 20 can be arranged in the guide shaft 7, which can be moved between the starting position and the further position by actuating the actuating element 14 arranged in the guide shaft 7. In Figure 4The starting position is again shown as an example, in which only locking the door is possible without identification. In this case, the partial area 10 of the coupling element 9 again projects through the outlet 11 of the guide shaft 7 into the cavity 8. A second coupling element 20, which can also be moved by actuating the actuating element 14, is retracted into the guide shaft 7 in the starting position. Thus, in the starting position, only the coupling element 9 can interact with the notches 15 on the inside of the locking mechanism 5, whereby the partial area 10 of the coupling element 9 only engages in one of the notches 15 when the knob 6 with identification function is rotated in the locking direction. The partial area 10 can again be wedge-shaped for this purpose.

[0044] Upon successful identification, the actuating element 14 is then moved by the drive unit in the direction N normal to the central axis M of the guide shaft 7 in order to move the coupling element 9 and thus also the second coupling element 20 from the starting position to the further position. It is also conceivable for this movement to occur via a rotational movement of the actuating element 14. In the further position, the coupling element 9 is then retracted into the guide shaft 7, while the second coupling element 20 protrudes with a partial area 21 through the further outlet 17 in the guide shaft into the cavity 8 in order to engage in one of the notches 15 upon a rotational movement of the knob 6 with identification function in the unlocking direction and to enable the door to be unlocked or opened. For this purpose, the partial area 21 of the second coupling element 20 can, for example, also be wedge-shaped.A reset of the two coupling elements 9, 20 from the further position to the starting position can again be carried out event-based and / or upon expiration of a predefined period of time.

[0045] Furthermore, the actuating element 14 or the free end of the actuating element 14 can also be designed such that it has at least a slight spring action. This spring action allows the partial area 10 of the coupling element 9 to be pressed into the outlet 11 in the initial position, particularly upon a rotational movement of the guide shaft 7 in the unlocking direction, and the partial area 21 of the second coupling element 20 to be pressed into the further outlet 17 in the further position, particularly upon a rotational movement of the guide shaft 7 in the locking direction, in order to enable simpler and easier "ratcheting." Furthermore, the coupling elements 9, 20 can be connected to the actuating element 14, for example, in a form-fitting manner, a force-fitting manner, by means of an adhesive connection, etc., for transmitting the movement. It is also conceivable for the two coupling elements 9, 20 and the actuating element 14 to be designed as a single unit.

[0046] In the Figures 5a and 5bA further, special embodiment of the locking unit 1 is shown schematically by way of example, which enables easier mounting of the locking unit 1 - in particular from an outside of the door. For the sake of simplicity, the Figures 5a and 5b to the relevant units of locking unit 1.

[0047] This shows Figure 5athe guide shaft 7 of the locking unit 1, to which the knob 6 with identification function (not shown) is attached, as well as the cylinder profile 2 or that part of the cylinder profile 2 of the locking unit 1 which is arranged in the door leaf between the outside of the door and the locking mechanism 5, in a modular or not yet assembled state. In the cylinder profile 2, for example, an outlet 22 (e.g. a through hole) is provided. This allows a locking pin 23 to be arranged in the cylinder profile 2. The locking pin 23 is spring-mounted in the outlet 22 via a spring element 24, wherein the locking pin 23 can, for example, have a groove at an end facing the spring element 23, in which groove the spring element 23 engages, for example for a better connection. The locking pin 23 and spring element 24 can, for example, be held by the connecting piece 3 in the outlet 22.By means of a spring action of the spring element 24, the locking pin 23 is pressed into the cavity 8 in the cylinder profile 2 in the assembled state. Ideally, the locking pin 23 is wedge-shaped, with a beveled surface of the wedge-shaped locking pin 23 pointing in an insertion direction F of the guide shaft 7. A vertical surface of the locking pin 23 faces away from the insertion direction E. However, other configurations of the locking pin, such as cuboid, cylindrical, etc., are also conceivable.

[0048] The guide shaft has a plurality of circumferential locking grooves 25 on its circumference, which are arranged at a predetermined distance (e.g., 5 mm) from each other. The circumferential locking grooves 25 have, for example, a vertical and a ramp-shaped side. The guide shaft 7 can be inserted into the axially extending cavity 8 of the cylinder profile 2 in the insertion direction F. For example, the side of the circumferential locking grooves 25 facing the insertion direction F is configured in a ramp shape, while the side of the circumferential grooves 25 facing away from the insertion direction E is configured vertically. That is, in the case of a wedge-shaped locking pin 23, the ramp-shaped side of the circumferential locking grooves 25 faces the inclined surface of the locking pin 23, and the vertical side faces away from the locking pin 23.

[0049] When mounting or inserting the guide shaft 7 in the insertion direction F into the cavity 8 of the cylinder profile 2 during assembly of the locking unit 1, the locking pin 23 engages in one of the circumferential locking grooves 25 of the guide shaft 7. Pulling the guide shaft 7 out of the cavity 8 of the cylinder profile 2 is prevented by the spring action of the spring element 24 then pressing the locking pin 23 into the circumferential locking groove 25. With a wedge-shaped design of the locking pin 23 and a ramp-shaped design of the side of the circumferential locking grooves 25 facing the locking pin 23, the guide shaft 7 can be pushed further into the cavity 8 even after it has engaged, until, for example, a desired distance is set between the knob 6 with identification function and, for example, one side of the door in which the locking unit 1 is to be installed. With a locking pin 23 which, for example, is not wedge-shaped or, for example,cuboid or cylindrical, for example, a length must be correctly set before inserting the guide shaft 7 into the cavity 8, since with such a design of the locking pin 23, after the locking pin 23 has engaged in one of the circumferential locking grooves 25, further sliding of the guide shaft is no longer possible.

[0050] Figure 5bshows a longitudinal section through the closing unit 1 in the assembled state, in which the guide shaft 7 is inserted into the axially continuous cavity 8 in the cylinder profile 2. The locking pin 23 and the spring element 24 are arranged in the outlet 22 in the cylinder profile 2 and are held, for example, by the connecting piece 3 in the outlet 22. Due to the spring action of the spring element 24, the locking pin 23 is pressed into the cavity 8 and is engaged in one of the circumferential locking grooves 25 on the circumference of the guide shaft 7. Furthermore, the spring action of the spring element 24 and the interaction of the locking pin 23 with the circumferential locking groove 25, in which the locking pin 23 is engaged, prevent the guide shaft 7 from being pulled out of the cavity 8. If the locking pin 23 is, for example,wedge-shaped, the guide shaft 7 can be pushed even further in the insertion direction F into the cavity 8, for example, by the ramp-shaped side of the circumferential locking groove 25, which faces the beveled surface of the locking pin 23. In doing so, the locking pin 23 is pressed into the outlet 22, whereby the spring element 24 is tensioned. Upon reaching the next circumferential locking groove 25, the locking pin 23 then engages in it due to the spring action of the spring element 24.

[0051] After inserting the guide shaft 7 into the cavity 8 of the cylinder profile 2 and after engaging the locking pin 23 in one of the circumferential locking grooves 25 of the guide shaft 7, the guide shaft 7 can only be detached from the cavity 8 of the cylinder profile 2 by tensioning the spring element 24. For safety reasons, an area or access for tensioning the spring element 24 is located inside the door so that the handle 6 with identification function or the guide shaft 7 cannot be disengaged without authorization. List of reference symbols

[0052] 1 Electronic locking unit 2 Cylinder profile 3 Connecting piece 4 Centering hole 5 Locking mechanism 6 Knob with identification function 7 Guide shaft 8 Cavity in the cylinder profile 9 Coupling element 10 Section of the coupling element 11 Outlet in the guide shaft 12 Additional knob 13 Connecting shaft 14 Actuating element 15 Notches in the interior of the locking mechanism 16 Additional section of the coupling element 17 Additional outlet in the guide shaft 18 Spring pin 19 Slot in the coupling element 20 Second coupling element 21 Section of the second coupling element 22 Outlet in the cylinder profile 23 Locking pin 24 Spring element 25 Circumferential locking groove MLongitudinal axis DRotational movement of the actuating element T, NTranslational movement of the actuating element PMovement of the coupling element SRotational movement of the guide shaft in the locking direction ERotational movement of the guide shaft in the unlocking direction ASection line FInsertion direction of the guide shaft

Claims

1. Electronic locking unit (1) comprising at least one knob (6) having an identification function and being mounted on a guide shaft (7), wherein the guide shaft (7) is arranged with a free end in an axially continuous cavity (8) of a cylinder profile (2), and wherein, after successful identification, the guide shaft (7) interacts with a locking mechanism (5) of the locking unit and enables a door to be locked by a rotational movement of the at least one knob (6) having the identification function, characterized in that an actuation element (14), which is movable relative to the guide shaft (7), and a coupling element (9) are arranged in the guide shaft (7), in that the actuation element (14) holds the coupling element (9) in an initial position in which a portion (10) of the coupling element (9) protrudes in radial direction through an outlet (11) in the guide shaft (7), and in that the portion (10) of the coupling element (9) protruding through the outlet (11) is designed such that the portion (10) interacts with notches (15), which are formed in an inner side of the locking mechanism (5) of the locking unit (1), in such a way that, the portion (10) engages in one of the notches (15) and moves the locking mechanism (5) with it, upon a rotational movement of the at least one knob (6) having the identification function without prior identification in a locking direction, and in such a way that the portion (10) does not engage in one of the notches (15), upon a rotational movement of the at least one knob (6) having an identification function without prior identification in an unlocking direction.

2. Electronic locking unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling element (9) can be moved into a further position by actuating the actuation element (14) after successful identification, in that, in the further position, the portion (10) of the coupling element (9) is retracted into the guide shaft (7) and a further portion (16) of the coupling element (9) or a portion (21) of a second coupling element (20) mounted in the guide shaft protrudes radially out of the guide shaft (7) through a further outlet (17) in the guide shaft (7), and in that the further portion (16) of the coupling element (9) or the portion (21) of the second coupling element (20) is designed such that the further portion (16) of the coupling element (9) or the portion (21) of the second coupling element (20) interacts with the notches (15) formed in the inside of the locking mechanism (5) of the locking unit (1) in such a way that, upon a rotational movement of the at least one knob (6) having an identification function in the unlocking direction, the further portion (16) of the coupling element (9) or the portion (21) of the second coupling element (20) engages in one of the notches (15) and moves the locking mechanism (5) along with it, and in such a way that the further portion (16) of the coupling element (9) or the portion (21) of the second coupling element (20) does not engage with one of the notches (15), upon a rotational movement of the at least one knob (6) having an identification function in the locking direction3. Electronic locking unit (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the coupling element (9) is moveable back from the further position back into the starting position by actuating the actuation element (14) due to at least one predeterminable event or after a predeterminable period of time has elapsed.

4. Electronic locking unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is on a door-specific basis definable by application program or application which of the rotation directions of the at least one knob (6) having the identification function is the locking direction and which of the rotation directions of the at least one knob (6) having the identification function is the unlocking direction.

5. Electronic locking unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one portion (10) and the further portion (16) of the coupling element (9) are wedge shaped.

6. Electronic locking unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuation element (14) is configured as a rotary pin, at the free end of which a spring pin (18) is arranged eccentrically, wherein the coupling element (9) has a slot (19) into which a free end of the spring pin (18) engages.

7. Electronic locking unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one knob (6) having the identification function is configured to move the actuation element (14) by a drive unit.

8. Electronic locking unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a locking pin (23) is arranged resiliently mounted in the cylinder profile (2) via a spring element (24), wherein a spring action of the spring element (24) presses the locking pin (23) into the cavity (8) of the cylinder profile (2), and in that circumferential locking grooves (25) are provided around the circumference of the guide shaft (7), wherein the locking pin (23) engages in one of the circumferential locking grooves (25), when the guide shaft (7) is inserted into the cavity (8) of the cylinder profile (2).

9. Electronic locking unit (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the locking pin (23) is wedge shaped, wherein a chamfered surface of the wedge-shaped locking pin (23) points in an insertion direction (F) of the guide shaft (7).

10. Electronic locking unit (1) according to any of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that the circumferential locking grooves (25) are ramp shaped on one side which faces the locking pin (23), when the guide shaft (7) is inserted.

11. Electronic locking unit (1) according to any of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the guide shaft (7) is releasable from the cavity (8) of the cylinder profile (2) by tensioning the spring element (24), after inserting the guide shaft (7) into the cavity (8) of the cylinder profile (2) and after engaging the locking pin (23) in one of the circumferential locking grooves (25) of the guide shaft (7).