KEY OPERATION DEVICE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a key operating device according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] Key operating devices for turning a key located in a door lock of a door, in particular a house or apartment door, are sufficiently known from the prior art, for example from DE 10 2004 021 704 B3 or DE 10 2017 127 982 A1.

[0003] Such key operating devices are typically designed for retrofitting existing door systems and serve to electronically control the door locking mechanism by appropriately, preferably remotely, operating the key in the door lock clockwise or counterclockwise. For this purpose, the key operating devices are often modular in design and have a closed module housing containing all components required for operation and automated control of the key actuation, in particular the power supply. This module housing is mounted, preferably glued and / or clamped, to the door plate and / or the free end of the locking cylinder in a rotationally fixed manner. The key operating device is controlled manually and / or wirelessly using suitable radio interfaces, which are, for example, standardly installed in common mobile communication devices.

[0004] DE 10 2004 021 704 B3 discloses a key-actuating device for turning a key in a lock, comprising an actuator, a rotating ring provided for engagement with a key, and a gear for mechanically coupling the actuator to the rotating ring. Furthermore, a multi-part coupling device is provided that interacts with the rotating ring and is arranged below the rotating ring in the housing.

[0005] A keyless locking system with a multi-part coupling device and a removable insert for receiving the free end of a key located in a door lock is also known from US Pat. A key actuation device according to the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in this document.

[0006] The disadvantage of known key actuation devices is that they require a large amount of installation space due to the drive components that must be integrated into the module housing, particularly due to the mandatory rotating body for receiving and non-rotatably coupling the key, which is usually mechanically connected via a clutch and / or gear unit to an actuator, preferably an electric motor drive, also housed in the housing. A particular disadvantage is that known key actuation devices have a considerable height and overall length compared to the dimensions of the door fitting. This results in a bulky or blocky appearance.

[0007] Based on the prior art shown, the object of the invention is to provide a key actuating device which eliminates the disadvantages known from the prior art and in particular enables a compact design with a reduced overall height compared to the prior art.

[0008] The problem is solved starting from a key actuating device with the features of the preamble of patent claim 1 by its characterizing features.

[0009] The essential aspect of the key actuating device according to the invention is that the rotary receiving unit and the multi-part coupling device are mounted in the housing so as to be rotatable relative to one another about the rotation axis, wherein the rotary receiving unit is accommodated and integrated at least in sections in the multi-part coupling device for rotatable mounting about the rotation axis. Particularly advantageously, the inventive integration of the rotary receiving unit into the multi-part coupling device enables a significant reduction in the overall height and the installation space required for integrating the drive mechanism. The key actuating device according to the invention thus has a particularly compact design. This also enables a reduction in the number of components required to implement the coupling device.

[0010] According to the invention, the multi-part coupling device comprises at least one annular crown gear and at least one coupling sleeve received in the annular crown gear for establishing a rotationally fixed, mechanical operative connection between the annular crown gear and the rotary receiving unit, which is at least partially received in the coupling sleeve. The combination of a crown gear with an integrated coupling sleeve enables a space-saving and reliable controllable coupling with the rotary receiving unit, which is at least partially received in the coupling sleeve.

[0011] Furthermore, the at least one controllable drive motor unit is advantageously designed to generate a drive movement about a drive axis oriented radially to the rotational axis. The arrangement of the controllable drive motor unit, in particular of several drive units, according to the invention enables a further reduction in the installation space height.

[0012] Particularly advantageously, the multi-part coupling device can be transferred from a first or second coupled state to a decoupled state, and vice versa, by controlled rotation of the annular crown gear clockwise or counterclockwise about the rotation axis. In the first coupled state, the rotation receiving unit is rotationally fixed to the annular crown gear upon clockwise rotation. In the second coupled state, the rotation receiving unit is rotationally fixed to the annular crown gear upon counterclockwise rotation. In contrast, in the decoupled state, the rotation receiving unit is decoupled from the annular crown gear such that the rotation receiving unit can rotate freely about the rotation axis.The multi-part coupling device according to the invention thus enables both a controlled, motorized rotation of the key accommodated in the rotary receiving unit around the rotation axis and a free rotation thereof independently of the existing coupling mechanism.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, at least one controllable drive motor unit has a drive gear that is in driving engagement with, or can be brought into engagement with, the annular crown gear. The drive gear is preferably formed by a drive pinion or a cylindrical pinion. Particularly advantageously, the annular crown gear and the drive gear form an angular gear.

[0014] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, three controllable drive motor units are provided in the key actuation device according to the invention, which are configured to synchronously drive the annular crown gear. This allows the use of drive motor units with reduced power, which require less installation space, so that, with radial alignment, a further reduction in the height of the installation space in the area of ​​the drive mechanism is possible.

[0015] In a further development of the invention, the annular crown gear has a rotating gear ring with a plurality of teeth on the upper side running perpendicular to the rotational axis. The annular crown gear further includes a through-hole with a circular cross-section, in which the coupling sleeve is accommodated in such a way that the rotating gear ring remains freely accessible. Drive by means of the radially arranged controllable drive units can be particularly advantageously achieved via the rotating gear ring.

[0016] Furthermore, the rotary receiving unit advantageously has a flat, circular-cross-sectional receiving section on its upper side, a transition section directly adjacent thereto along the rotation axis, and an adjoining coupling section. The cross section of the transition section is reduced compared to the receiving section, and the cross section of the coupling section is also reduced compared to the transition section. The circular receiving section further has a slot-shaped recess or a slot-shaped opening for receiving the free end of the key.

[0017] Further advantageously, the circular receiving section forms a rotating gear ring on a front edge, which is operatively connected to a gear for determining the rotational position of the rotary receiving unit relative to the rotation axis. For this purpose, the position sensor unit comprises a gear that can be brought into engagement with the rotating gear ring of the circular receiving section of the rotary receiving unit.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the coupling section is at least partially sleeve-shaped and extends concentrically to the rotation axis, with the cross-section of the coupling section being configured such that it fully engages the area of ​​the through-opening of the coupling device exposed by the coupling sleeve. This results in a reduction in the overall height.

[0019] Furthermore, the coupling section advantageously has an outer circumferential surface with a plurality of partially spherical recesses, wherein the partially spherical recesses are arranged at a distance from one another and are evenly distributed over the entire outer circumferential surface. One partially spherical recess is designed to accommodate a coupling ball.

[0020] Furthermore, appropriately configured guide openings are advantageously provided in the coupling sleeve for guiding a coupling ball, for example, having a rectangular or square cross-section. In a coupling section accommodated in the coupling sleeve, the guide openings are particularly advantageously located at the level of the partially spherical recesses, specifically such that a coupling ball accommodated in one of the partially spherical recesses extends through an opposite guide opening and protrudes radially from the guide opening in the direction of the inner surface of the annular crown gear.

[0021] In an advantageous addition, the annular crown gear has at least one groove-shaped guideway which is introduced into an inner surface of the annular crown gear and extends concentrically around the axis of rotation. To realize a controllable coupling connection, the spherical section of the coupling ball protruding radially from the guide opening engages in the at least one groove-shaped guideway of the annular crown gear and is guided therein. Particularly advantageously, the groove-shaped guideway extends only over an annular section of the annular crown gear and is delimited by stop areas. The engagement of the coupling ball guided in the groove-shaped guideway advantageously creates a rotationally fixed operative connection via the coupling ball between the annular crown gear and the coupling section of the rotary receiving unit in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

[0022] In one embodiment, a brake can be provided to prevent the coupling sleeve from rotating with the annular crown gear during a change in rotation direction. This brake applies a predetermined braking force to the coupling sleeve. Particularly preferably, the brake is formed as a single piece with a protective cover.

[0023] Further developments, advantages, and possible applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the figures. All described and / or illustrated features, individually or in any combination, are fundamentally part of the invention, regardless of their summary in the claims or their reference back to them. The content of the claims is also incorporated into the description.

[0024] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the figures. They show: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a key actuating device according to the invention mounted on a door, Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of a key actuating device according to the invention, Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of a key actuating device according to the invention according to the Figure 2 , Fig.4 a perspective front view of the key operating device according to the invention with the housing front and housing side wall removed, Fig. 5 a perspective side view of the key operating device according to the invention according to Figure 4 , Fig. 6 a schematic front view of the key actuating device according to the invention according to Figure 5 without protective cover, Fig. 7 a schematic front view of the key actuating device according to the invention according to Figure 5without locking cylinder, key, rotary receiving unit and energy supply unit, Fig. 8 a schematic plan view of the released multi-part coupling device and the controllable drive motor units connected to it, Fig. 9 a perspective view of the released multi-part coupling device and the controllable drive motor units connected to it according to Figure 8 , Fig. 10 a perspective view of the released multi-part coupling device with the rotary receiving unit accommodated therein, Fig. 11 a schematic plan view of the released rotary receiving unit, Fig. 12 a schematic side view of the released rotary receiving unit according to Figure 11 , Fig. 13 a perspective view of the underside of the released rotary receiving unit according to Figures 11 and 12, Fig. 14 a perspective view of an isolated coupling sleeve with coupling balls, Fig. 15 a perspective view of an isolated annular crown gear with coupling balls, Fig. 16 a schematic plan view of the isolated annular crown gear with coupling balls according to Figure 15 , Fig. 17a-c schematic sectional views through the multi-part coupling device in a first and second coupled state and a decoupled state, Fig. 18 a schematic plan view of the released multi-part coupling device and the associated protective cover with integrated brake and Fig. 19 a perspective view of the released multi-part coupling device with associated protective cover with integrated brake according to Figure 18 .

[0025] Identical reference numerals are used in the figures for identical or equivalently functioning elements of the invention. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures that are necessary for the description of the respective figure. The invention is also illustrated by way of example in the figures using schematic views to explain the basic principle of the invention.

[0026] In Figure 1 is a perspective view of a key actuating device 1 according to the invention for actuating or turning a key 8 of a door, in particular a house or apartment door, located in a door lock 2, shown by way of example in a usual assembly situation, namely the Figure 1The key actuating device 1 shown is mounted, for example, on the inside of the door 3. For mounting the key actuating device 1 according to the invention on the door 3, a mounting plate 4 can be used, for example. A door 3 in the sense of the invention is understood in particular to mean the door leaf or the wing of a door 3, which is usually accommodated in a door frame.

[0027] Such key actuating devices 1 are basically known from the prior art with regard to their structure and mode of operation, and they are preferably designed in a modular manner and have a corresponding housing 5.

[0028] In Figure 21 shows, by way of example, a front view of a key actuating device 1 according to the invention, in particular its housing front 5.1 with a cover 5.2. The cover 5.2 serves to cover a circular opening in the housing front 5.1, through which access to the drive mechanism and the key 8 accommodated therein and in the locking cylinder 2.1 is possible. For this purpose, the cover 5.2 has, for example, a flat, circular cover section from which a cuboid-shaped cover section protrudes outwards. The cuboid-shaped cover section encloses a slot-shaped receiving space for receiving the free end of the key 8, which is open towards the underside of the cover 5.2. The cover 5.2 is preferably detachably connected to the drive mechanism, so that the cover 5.2 can rotate about the rotation axis RA during operation of the key actuating device 1 according to the invention.Preferably, a plug-in connection is provided. The cuboid-shaped cover section also visually indicates the current rotational position of the key 8.

[0029] The housing 5 serves to accommodate all essential components of the key operating device 1 according to the invention, including the power supply, so that autonomous operation without additional cable connections is possible. The key operating device 1 is mounted on the door 3 or on parts of its door fitting 6 via the housing 5 directly or via a Figure 1 shown mounting plate 4. The door fitting 6 comprises a door handle 6.1 and an associated long or short plate (not shown in the figures) or two rosettes 6.2, whereby one rosette 6.2 accommodates a section of the door handle 6.1 and the other rosette (not shown in Figure 1 shown) is designed to receive the free end of the locking cylinder 2.1.

[0030] Figure 3 shows a side view of the key operating device 1 according to Figure 2 with an indicated locking cylinder 2.1 of the door lock 2, the free end of which is accommodated in the housing 5. The housing 5 comprises a housing rear 5.3 with a recess or an opening, wherein the recess or the opening is designed for the positive reception of the locking cylinder 2.1 in order to ensure a rotationally fixed reception of the locking cylinder 2.1 in the housing 5. The housing front 5.1 and the housing rear 5.3 are connected by a circumferential

[0031] Housing side walls 5.4 are connected to each other so that a substantially closed housing 5 is created.

[0032] Particularly preferably, the housing front side 5.1 and the housing side wall 5.4 are formed in one piece and form a hood-like housing cover which can be detachably connected to the housing rear side 5.3 forming a dimensionally stable carrier plate.

[0033] The housing 5 of the key actuating device 1 is directly connected to the rear side 5.3 of the housing 5 facing the door 2, either to the door 2 and / or to a long or short plate or rosette mounted on the door 2, wherein the long or short plate or the corresponding rosette encloses the free end of the locking cylinder 2.1 of the door lock 2. To create a rotationally fixed, direct connection, adhesive and / or clamping connections are preferably used, for example by applying an adhesive coating to the rear side 5.3 of the housing and / or providing a form-fitting recess 5.3' in the rear side 5.3 of the housing to accommodate the protruding free end of the locking cylinder 2.1 of the door lock 2. Particularly preferably, an adhesive layer 5.5 is also applied to the rear side 5.3 of the housing, which adhesive layer 5.5 is used to create an adhesive connection with the rosette surrounding the locking cylinder 2.1 or with a rosette surrounding the locking cylinder 2.1 receiving plate is provided.

[0034] The door lock 2 is designed, for example, in the form of a rim lock and, in addition to the locking cylinder 2.1, in the present embodiment comprises a latch 2.2 and a bolt 2.3. In conventional doors 3, at least one standardized recess open at the front is provided in the door 3 to accommodate the door lock 2. Analogously, there are also standardized through-holes for mounting the door fitting 6, in particular the rosettes 6.2. The locking cylinder 2.1 is usually operatively connected to the latch 2.2 and the bolt 2.3 of the door lock 2 in order to enable the door 3 to be locked or blocked and opened. In the locked state, the door 3 can therefore no longer be opened by correspondingly actuating the latch 2.2 by means of the door handle 6.1.

[0035] According to the invention, the key actuating device 1 has a rotary receiving unit 7 for rotationally fixedly receiving the free end of the key 8, at least one controllable drive motor unit 9, 9', 9", a multi-part coupling device 10 for the mechanical, driving coupling of the at least one controllable drive motor unit 9, 9', 9" with the rotary receiving unit 7. Furthermore, a control unit 11 is provided for controlling the at least one controllable drive motor unit 9, 9', 9", which is also accommodated in the housing 5. In the present exemplary embodiment, the control unit 11 is implemented in the form of a circuit board with corresponding electronic components, integrated circuits and, if applicable, memory components, which is supplied with the electrical energy required for operation via a power supply unit 13, which is also accommodated in the housing 5.

[0036] In Figure 4, a perspective front view of the key actuating device 1 is shown by way of example without the housing front 5.1, cover 5.2 and housing side wall 5.4, wherein the key 8 inserted in the locking cylinder 2.1 is guided through a slot-shaped opening 7a in the rotary receiving unit 7 and protrudes with its free end beyond the rotary receiving unit 7 so that even after the key actuating device 1 according to the invention has been mounted on the door 3, the key 8 can still be gripped by the user and manually pulled out of the locking cylinder 2.1. Parallel to the slot-shaped opening 7a, two further slot-shaped recesses or openings 7b, 7c are provided by way of example, which serve to establish a plug-in connection with the cover 5.2. For this purpose, the cover 5.2 has corresponding nose-like projections that engage in the two further slot-shaped recesses or openings 7b, 7c.

[0037] Figure 5 shows an example of a perspective side view of the key actuating device 1 according to Figure 3 . In the illustrated embodiment, a protective cover 12 is provided, by means of which the at least one controllable drive motor unit 9, 9', 9" and the control unit 11 continue to be protected from external access even after removal of the housing front 5.1 and the housing side wall 5.3. The protective cover 12 is preferably detachably connected to the housing rear 5.3, particularly preferably by means of screw connections.

[0038] The power supply unit 13 accommodated in the housing 5 is designed, for example, in the form of a battery or rechargeable battery and is arranged beneath the protective cover 12, preferably connected to the control unit 11 via two corresponding contact elements located opposite one another and protruding from the circuit board. The protective cover 12 is preferably recessed so that the battery or rechargeable battery is freely accessible, allowing the user to change the battery or rechargeable battery without having to remove the protective cover 12.

[0039] Figure 6 shows a perspective front view of the key actuating device 1 according to the invention according to Figures 4 and 5, but with the protective cover 12 removed. The at least one controllable drive motor unit 9, 9', 9" is arranged below the protective cover 12 and is in driving connection with the multi-part coupling device 10 in order to bring about a controlled rotation of the rotary receiving unit 7 and thus of the key 8 received therein about the rotation axis RA in a correspondingly controlled manner. The key actuating device 1 according to the invention particularly preferably has a plurality of controllable drive motor units 9, 9', 9" which are received in the housing and are provided for driving the rotary receiving unit 7 via the coupling device 10.

[0040] According to the invention, the at least one controllable drive motor unit 9, 9', 9" is designed to generate a drive movement about a drive axis AR oriented radially to the rotation axis RA. In the present exemplary embodiment, the at least one controllable drive motor unit 9, 9', 9" is arranged radially to the rotation axis RA in the housing and a rotary movement about the drive axis AR can be generated therethrough, which is translated by the coupling device 10 into a rotary movement of the rotary receiving unit 7 about the rotation axis RA.

[0041] Furthermore, the rotary receiving unit 7 and the multi-part coupling device 10 are mounted relative to one another for rotation about the rotation axis RA, wherein the rotary receiving unit 7 is at least partially accommodated in the multi-part coupling device 10 for rotation about the rotation axis RA. The inventive integration of the rotary receiving unit 7 into the multi-part coupling device 10, which is designed to establish a drive connection between the rotary receiving unit 7 and the at least one controllable drive motor unit 9, 9', 9", significantly reduces the overall height of the drive mechanism, resulting in an extremely compact design of the key actuation device 1 according to the invention.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the key actuating device 1 has a plurality of controllable drive motor units 9, 9', 9", namely a first, second and third controllable drive motor unit 9, 9', 9", which are each arranged or aligned radially to the rotation axis RA in the housing and are designed to generate a drive movement about a drive axis AR oriented radially to the rotation axis RA.

[0043] Advantageously, due to the radial arrangement according to the invention relative to the rotation axis, controllable drive motor units 9, 9', 9" with low drive power can be used, whose space requirements are significantly lower than those of drive motor units with higher drive power, so that the installation space requirements can be significantly reduced. Preferably, the first, second, and third controllable drive motor units 9, 9', 9" are designed for the synchronous drive of the rotary receiving unit 7 via the multi-part coupling device 10. The controllable drive motor units 9, 9', 9" are preferably formed by electric motor units, for example servo motors or stepper motors, which can be jointly controlled via the control unit 11. The electrical energy is supplied via the energy supply unit 13 accommodated in the housing.

[0044] The multi-part coupling device 10 has at least one annular crown gear 10.1 and at least one coupling sleeve 10.2 received in the annular crown gear 10.1 for establishing a rotationally fixed, mechanical operative connection between the annular crown gear 10.1 and the rotary receiving unit 7, which is at least partially received in the coupling sleeve 10.2. The annular crown gear 10.1 is rotatably mounted and preferably laterally guided by a corresponding design of the inside of the housing rear side 5.3.

[0045] The annular crown gear 10.1 has, on its upper side extending perpendicular to the rotation axis RA, a rotating gear rim 10.11 with a plurality of teeth, which preferably extend obliquely to a line oriented radially to the rotation axis RA. Furthermore, the annular crown gear 10.1 forms a through-opening 10.12 with a circular cross-section, in which the coupling sleeve 10.2 is received such that the rotating gear rim 10.11 remains freely accessible and can be engaged with at least one drive gear 14, 14', 14" connected to a drive shaft of a controllable drive motor unit 9, 9', 9". The respective drive gear 14, 14'. 14" of the controllable drive motor units 9, 9', 9" also comprises a plurality of teeth which are adapted in terms of shape, dimensions and orientation to the teeth of the rotating gear ring 10.11 of the annular crown gear 10.1.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the first controllable drive motor unit 9 has a first drive gear 14, the second controllable drive motor unit 9' has a second drive gear 14' and the third controllable drive motor unit 9" has a third drive gear 14", which are each mounted on a drive shaft of the respective controllable drive motor units 9, 9', 9" extending radially to the rotation axis RA.

[0047] The drive gear 14, 14', 14" is preferably formed by a drive pinion or a cylindrical pinion. Thus, the annular crown gear 10.1 and the respective drive gear 14, 14', 14" form an angular gear with a predetermined gear ratio. With synchronous control of the three controllable drive motor units 9, 9', 9", a corresponding rotation of the annular crown gear 10.1 occurs around the rotation axis RA.

[0048] In Figure 7is an example of a schematic front view of the key actuating device 1 according to the invention according to Figure 6 without the rotary receiving unit 7, the locking cylinder 2.1 and the key 8 accommodated therein as well as without the power supply unit 13. The annular crown gear 10.1 and the coupling sleeve 10.2 accommodated in its circular through-opening 10.12 as well as the drive gears 14, 14', 14" engaging with the gear ring 10.11 of the annular crown gear 10.1 are the Figure 6 The circular through-opening 10.12 also provides a clear view of the positive-locking recess 5.3' provided in the rear of the housing 5.3 for the passage and positive-locking reception of the locking cylinder 2.1, whereby both the annular crown gear 10.1 and the coupling sleeve 10.2 run concentrically around the rotation axis RA.

[0049] Figure 8shows a further schematic plan view of the released multi-part coupling device 10 and the associated three controllable drive motor units 9, 9', 9". In Figure 9 is a perspective view of the Figure 8 shown arrangement, from which both the design of the drive gears 14, 14', 14" and their engagement with the rotating gear ring 10.11 of the annular crown gear 10.1 can be seen.

[0050] In Figure 9 A perspective side view of the rotary receiving unit 7 accommodated in the multi-part coupling device 10 is shown. To establish the drive connection between the multi-part coupling device 10 and the rotary receiving unit 7, the rotary receiving unit 7 engages in the circular through-opening 10.12 remaining after insertion of the coupling sleeve 10.2 or the through-opening enclosed by the coupling sleeve 10.2.

[0051] The rotary receiving unit 7 has a flat, circular-cross-sectional receiving section 7.1 on its upper side, which includes the slot-shaped recess 7a for receiving the free end of the key 8 and the mounting slots 7b, 7c arranged parallel thereto for mounting the cover 5.2. Furthermore, a rotating gear ring 7.11 is formed on the front edge of the circular receiving section 7.1. This gear ring 7.11 is operatively connected to a position sensor unit 15 for determining the rotational position of the rotary receiving unit 7 relative to the rotation axis RA. In the present exemplary embodiment, this position sensor unit also has a gear 15.1 that engages the rotating gear ring 7.11 of the rotary receiving unit 7. Adjoining the flange-like, circular receiving section 7.1 is a transition section 7 with a reduced cross-section compared to the receiving section 7.1.2, which merges into a coupling section 7.3 with an even further reduced cross-section, which is at least partially sleeve-shaped and runs concentrically to the rotation axis RA. This results in a stepped cross-sectional profile along the rotation axis RA, starting from the circular receiving section 7.1 and ending at the coupling section 7.3, wherein the cross-section of the coupling section 7.3 is configured such that it fully engages the through-opening 10.12 of the coupling device 10, which is exposed by the coupling sleeve 10.2.

[0052] To form a controllable coupling mechanism, a plurality of partially spherical recesses 7.31 are arranged at a distance from one another on the outer circumferential surface of the coupling section 7.3. These recesses are evenly distributed over the entire outer circumferential surface and each form a receptacle for a coupling ball 16. The radius or diameter of the partially spherical recesses 7.31 is selected such that an at least partially positive reception of the coupling ball 16 in a partially spherical recess 7.31 is possible.

[0053] Similarly, guide openings 10.21 are provided in the coupling sleeve 10.2 for guiding a coupling ball 16, which, for example, have a rectangular or square cross-section. If the coupling section 7.3 is accommodated in the coupling sleeve 10.2, the guide openings 10.21 are located at the level of the partially spherical recesses 7.31, so that a coupling ball 16 accommodated in one of the partially spherical recesses 7.31 extends through an opposite guide opening 10.21 and protrudes radially from the guide opening 10.21 in the direction of the inner surface of the annular crown gear 10.1. To create a controllable coupling connection, the ball section of the coupling ball 16 protruding from the guide opening 10.21 engages in a groove-shaped guide track 10.13 of the annular crown gear 10.1, which is recessed into the inner surface of the annular crown gear 10.1 and extends there concentrically around the rotation axis RA, specifically over an annular section of the annular crown gear 10.1. At the opposite ends of the groove-shaped guideway 10.13, stop regions 10.13a, 10.13b are formed, via which a rotationally fixed operative connection is created via the coupling ball 16 between the annular crown gear 10.1 and the coupling section 7.3 of the rotary receiving unit 7 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The coupling ball 16 is partially received in the partially spherical recesses 7.31 and extends through the guide opening 10.21 of the coupling sleeve 10.2 into the groove-shaped guideway 10.13 of the annular crown gear 10.1. If the coupling ball 16 reaches one of the stop areas 10.13a, 10.13b at the end of the groove-shaped guideway 10.13, a drive connection is established between the annular crown gear 10.1 and the rotary receiving unit 7. To release this drive connection, the annular crown gear 10.1 is rotated in the opposite direction of rotation via the controllable drive motor units 9, 9', 9" at least over a predetermined rotation angle range, thus releasing the drive connection again.

[0054] Figure 10shows a schematic view of the rotary receiving unit 7 accommodated in the multi-part coupling device 10. The outer diameter of the receiving section 7.1 of the rotary receiving unit 7 approximately corresponds to the outer diameter of the annular crown gear 10.1, wherein the diameter of the coupling section 7.3 of the rotary receiving unit 7 is reduced such that it is completely accommodated in the coupling sleeve 10.2 and the outer diameter of the coupling sleeve 10.2 in turn approximately corresponds to the diameter of the transition section 7.2, which has a reduced cross-section compared to the receiving section 7.1. This creates a circumferential free space between the gear ring 10.11 and the underside of the receiving section 7.1, in which the drive gears 14, 14', 14" of the controllable drive motor units 9, 9', 9" are accommodated.This ensures a height-optimized drive connection between the drive motor units 9, 9', 9" and the annular crown gear 10.1 or the multi-part coupling device 10.

[0055] Figure 11 shows a schematic plan view of the rotary receiving unit 7 and Figure 12 a schematic side view of the rotary receiving unit 7 according to Figure 11 . A perspective view of the rotary receiving unit 7 according to the Figures 11 and 12 is finally the Figure 13 In the present embodiment, three coupling balls 16 are provided to establish the coupling connection, which are evenly spaced from one another.

[0056] In Figure 14is a perspective view of the coupling sleeve 10.2, from which the arrangement and design of the guide openings 10.21 in relation to the coupling ball 16 can be seen. In the illustrated embodiment, three guide openings 10.21 are evenly distributed along the circumference of the coupling sleeve 10.2, over each of which a coupling ball 16 is guided laterally. Analogously, the Figure 15 The annular crown gear 10.1 shown in a perspective view also has three groove-shaped guideways 10.13, each extending approximately over one third of the circumference and separated from each other by a stop region 10.13a, 10.13b, 10.13c. From the schematic plan view of the annular crown gear 10.1 according to Figure 16The resulting guideways for the coupling balls 16 are clearly visible. The three groove-shaped guideways 10.13 are approximately identical to one another.

[0057] The described multi-part clutch device 10 enables the selection of different clutch states, namely a first or second coupled state and a decoupled state, by controlled rotation of the annular crown gear 10.1 clockwise or counterclockwise about the rotation axis RA.

[0058] The different clutch states are in Figure 17 (a) to (c) shown, where Figure 17 each shows a schematic section along a sectional plane running perpendicular to the rotation axis RA through the multi-part coupling device 10.

[0059] Figure 17 (a)shows the first coupled state, in which a drive of the annular crown gear 10.1 in the clockwise direction causes a corresponding actuation of the key 8 via the rotary receiving unit 7.

[0060] The second coupled state is in Figure 17 (b) shown, in which, when the annular crown gear 10.1 is driven counterclockwise, the key 8 held in the rotary receiving unit 7 is also rotated counterclockwise around the rotation axis RA.

[0061] Figure 17 (c) shows the decoupled state in which there is no longer any connection between the rotary receiving unit 7 and the multi-part coupling device 10 or the controllable drive motor units 9, 9', 9", ie the key 8 received in the rotary receiving unit 7 can be freely rotated both clockwise and counterclockwise.

[0062] In order to prevent the coupling sleeve 10.2 from rotating when changing between the coupling states, a brake 17 is provided which applies a predetermined braking force to the coupling sleeve 10.2, which is dimensioned such that a transfer of the multi-part coupling device 10 into the three aforementioned coupling states is ensured by appropriate control of the controllable drive motor units 9, 9', 9", but when the direction of rotation of the coupling sleeve 10.2 changes, the brake 17 prevents it from rotating with the annular crown gear 10.1. The multi-part coupling device 10 is then in idle mode, i.e. the key 8 accommodated in the key actuating device 1 according to the invention can be rotated freely by appropriately rotating the cover 5.2 about the rotation axis RA. The coupling sleeve 10.2 thus only rotates in the first or second coupled state; in the uncoupled state it is held by the brake 15.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment, the brake 17 acts on the upper end face of the coupling sleeve 10.2 and generates a frictional force there, which prevents co-rotation. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the brake 17 is part of the protective cover 12 and extends radially from it to the rotation axis RA. The brake 17 is, for example, formed integrally with the protective cover 12, wherein the protective cover 12 is made of an at least partially elastic material, for example plastic. In the area of ​​the radially projecting cover section forming the brake 12, a mounting screw is then provided in order to be able to manually adjust the generated braking force by appropriately tightening the mounting screw. Figure 18is a schematic plan view and in Figure 19 a perspective view of a correspondingly designed protective cover 12 and the multi-part coupling device 10 operatively connected thereto is shown as an example.

[0064] In a preferred embodiment, the position sensor unit 15 is formed by a Hall sensor unit, which requires minimal installation space. The gear 15.1 of the position sensor unit 15 engages with the gear ring 7.11 of the receiving section of the rotary receiving unit 7, thus enabling a relative angle measurement. The resulting current rotational position of the rotary receiving unit 7 or the key 8 relative to the rotation axis RA is evaluated by the control unit 11 to control the controllable drive motor units 9, 9', 9".

[0065] The invention has been described above using exemplary embodiments. It is understood that numerous changes and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. List of reference symbols

[0066] 1 Key operating device 2 Door lock 2.1 Locking cylinder 2.2 Latch 2.3 Bolt 3 Door or door leaf 4 Mounting plate 5 Housing 5.1 Housing front 5.2 Cover 5.3 Housing rear 5.3 Positive-locking recess 5.4 Housing side wall 5.5 Adhesive layer 6 Door fitting or door fitting 6.1 Door handle 6.2 Rosette 7 Rotary receiving unit 7a Slot-shaped recess 7b Mounting slot 7c Mounting slot 7.1 Receiving section 7.11 Gear rim 7.2 Transition section 7.3 Coupling section 7.31 Partially spherical recess 8 Key 9, 9', 9" Controllable drive motor units 10 Multi-part coupling device 10.1 Annular crown gear 10.13 Grooved guideway 10.13a Stop area 10.13b Stop area 10.13c Stop area 10.11 Gear ring 10.12 Through opening 10.2 Coupling sleeve 10.21 Guide openings 11 Control unit 12 Protective cover 13 Power supply unit 14, 14', 14" Drive gear 15 Position sensor unit 16 Coupling balls 17 Brake AR drive axis RA rotation axis

Claims

1. Key actuating device (1) for turning a key (8) located in a door lock (2) of a door (3), in particular, a house door or the door of a flat, around a rotational axis (RA) comprising a rotary holding unit (7) for a torque-proof accommodation of the free end of the key (8), at least one controllable drive motor unit (9, 9', 9"), a multi-part coupling device (10) for drivingly coupling the controllable drive motor unit (9, 9', 9") with the rotary holding unit (7), a housing (5) and a control unit (11) for controlling the at least one controllable drive motor unit (9, 9', 9"), wherein the rotary holding unit (7) and the multi-part coupling device (10) are rotatably mounted relative to each other around the rotational axis (RA), and wherein the rotary holding unit (7) for rotatably mounting around the rotational axis (RA) is accommodated and integrated in the multi-part coupling device (10) at least in sections, characterized in that the multi-part coupling device (10) comprises at least an annular crown gear (10.1) and at least a coupling sleeve (10.2) accommodated in the annular crown gear (10.1) for establishing a torque-proof mechanical operative connection between the annular crown gear (10.1) and the rotary holding unit (7), which is accommodated in the coupling sleeve (10.2) at least in sections.

2. Key actuating device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one controllable drive motor unit (9, 9', 9") is configured for generating a drive motion around a drive axle (AR) radially orientated towards the rotational axis (RA).

3. Key actuating device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the multi-part coupling device (10) can be converted from a first or second coupled state to a decoupled state and vice versa by means of a controlled rotation of the annular crown gear (10.1) clockwise or counter-clockwise around the rotational axis (RA).

4. Key actuating device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, in the first coupled state, the rotary holding unit (7) is connected in a torque-proof manner to the annular crown gear (10.1) when turning clockwise and / or in that, in the second coupled state, the rotary holding unit (7) is connected in a torque-proof manner to the annular crown gear (10.1) when turning counter-clockwise and / or in that, in the decoupled state, the rotary holding unit (7) is decoupled from the annular crown gear (10.1) and can therefore be rotated freely around the rotational axis (RA).

5. Key actuating device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the at least one controllable drive motor unit (9, 9', 9") comprises a drive gear (14, 14', 14'), which is drivingly engaged with the annular crown gear (10.1).

6. Key actuating device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the drive gear (14, 14', 14') is formed by a drive pinion or a cylindrical cog wheel and / or in that the annular crown gear (10.1) and the drive gear (14, 14', 14') form an angular gear.

7. Key actuating device (1) according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that a plurality of controllable drive motor units (9, 9', 9"), preferably three of them, are provided, wherein the controllable drive motor units (9, 9', 9") are preferably arranged for the synchronous drive of the annular crown gear (10.1).

8. Key actuating device (1) according to any one of the claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the annular crown gear (10.1) comprises a circumferential gear ring (10.11) with a plurality of teeth on the upper side running perpendicular to the rotational axis (RA) and / or in that the annular crown gear (10.1) comprises a passage opening (10.12) having a circular cross-section, in which the coupling sleeve (10.2) is accommodated in such a way that the circumferential gear ring (10.11) is still freely accessible.

9. Key actuating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotary holding unit (7) comprises, on its upper side, a planar holding section (7.1) which is circular in its cross-section, a transition section (7.2) immediately adjoining along the rotational axis (RA), as well as an adjoining coupling section (7.3) , wherein the cross-section of the transition section (7.2) is reduced in comparison to the holding section (7.1), and the cross-section of the coupling section (7.3) is even further reduced in comparison to the transition section (7.2).

10. Key actuating device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the circular holding section (7.1) comprises a slit-shaped recess or a slit-shaped aperture (7a) for receiving the free end of the key (8) and / or in that the circular holding section (7.1) forms a circumferential gear ring (7.11) at its front edge, which is operatively connected with a position sensor unit (15) for determining the rotational position of the rotary holding unit (7) with respect to the rotational axis (RA) .

11. Key actuating device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the position sensor unit (15) comprises a gear wheel (15.1) which engages with the circumferential gear ring (7.11) of the circular holding section (7.1) of the rotary holding unit (7).

12. Key actuating device (1) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the coupling section (7.3) is designed, at least in sections, sleeve-like and is concentric to the rotational axis (RA) and / or in that the cross-section of the coupling section (7.3) is designed in such a way that the coupling section fully engages in the area of the passage opening (10.12) of the coupling device (10) freed by the coupling sleeve (10.2).

13. Key actuating device (1) according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the coupling section (7.3) comprises an outer circumferential surface with a plurality of semi-spherical recesses (7.31), wherein the semi-spherical recesses (7.31) are respectively arranged in relation to each other and uniformly distributed over the entire outer circumferential surface, wherein a semi-spherical recess (7.31) preferably forms a receptacle for a coupling ball (16).

14. Key actuating device (1) according to any one of the claims 2 to 13, characterized in that correspondingly configured guide openings (10.21) are introduced for the guidance of a coupling ball (16) in the coupling sleeve (10.2), for example, comprising a rectangular or square cross-section.

15. Key actuating device (1) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, in the case of a coupling section (7.3) accommodated in the coupling sleeve (10.2), the guide openings (10.21) are located at a level of the semi-spherical recesses (7.31) in such a way that a coupling ball (16) accommodated in one of the semi-spherical recesses (7.31) extends through an opposite guide opening (10.21) and radially projects over this out of the guide opening (10.21) in the direction of the inner surface of the annular crown gear (10.1).

16. Key actuating device (1) according to any one of the claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the annular crown gear (10.1) comprises at least one groove-shaped guideway (10.13) which is inserted into an inner surface of the annular crown gear (10.1) and extends there concentrically around the rotational axis (RA), wherein, in order to implement a controllable coupling connection, the ball section of the coupling ball (16) radially projecting out of the guide opening (10.21) preferably engages and is guided in the at least one groove-shaped guideway (10.13) of the annular crown gear (10.1).

17. Key actuating device (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that the groove-shaped guideway (10.13) extends only over an annular section of the annular crown gear (10.1) and is delimited by stop areas (10.13a, 10.13b, 10.3c) and / or in that the abutment of the coupling ball (16) guided in the groove-shaped guideway (10.13) establishes a torque-proof operative connection via the coupling ball (16) between the annular crown gear (10.1), and the coupling section (7.3) of the rotary holding unit (7) in a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction.

18. Key actuating device (1) according to any one of the claims 2 to 17, characterized in that, in order to prevent the coupling sleeve (10.2) from rotating with the annular crown gear (10.1) when changing directions, a brake (17) is provided which applies a specified braking force to the coupling sleeve (10.2), wherein the brake (17) is preferably formed as a single piece with a protective cover (12).