ELECTRONIC LOCKING CYLINDER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electronic locking cylinder with a core rotatable in a housing, with an electronic locking mechanism for selectively blocking or releasing the movement of the core, with a locking element movable into one of the components of the housing or the core, and with a locking recess arranged opposite the locking element in the component of the core or the housing, and with an electrically controllable actuator, wherein the actuator is arranged within the locking recess to support the locking element, wherein the actuator has a locking element that can be driven by a motor between two positions, wherein one position of the locking element corresponds to a blocking position of the movement of the locking element, in which the locking element is held in the locking recess, and the other position of the locking element corresponds to the release position of the locking element, in which the locking element can be moved out of the locking recess.

[0002] Such a locking mechanism is known, for example, from WO 2010 / 063 050 A2. The locking mechanism has a release position and a locking position. To switch between these positions, the locking mechanism is driven by a piezoelectric motor, which enables a particularly fast changeover between the locking and release positions.

[0003] A locking mechanism is known from CN 109 025 517 A, which monitors the closed position of components by means of magnetic elements and magnetic sensors. The locking mechanism has locking elements in the form of balls, which can be secured against displacement by a blocking element.

[0004] DE 198 35 508 A1 discloses a locking mechanism comprising a locking element and a blocking element, wherein the blocking element, in its initial state, bears radially against locking pins mounted in the locking element. The locking and blocking elements are connected by a spring, so that during an actuation attempt while the locking mechanism is in the locked position, both the locking and blocking elements move synchronously. This prevents the movement from being blocked early on by the radial bearing of the blocking element against the locking pins. By activating an electromagnet, the locking element can be moved into a release state. The activated electromagnet locks the blocking element in place, so that it is held in its initial position when the locking element is moved against the spring force. As a result, the blocking element no longer bears against the locking pins, and the movement of the locking element is no longer blocked.

[0005] EP 0 709 533 A2 discloses a locking cylinder which has a locking mechanism for selectively blocking or releasing the cylinder. The locking mechanism is connected to a locking element designed as a pin of the cylinder, which is supported by a blocking element of the locking mechanism. The blocking element has a tapered tip. The locking mechanism is controlled electromagnetically. If an authorized key is presented to the cylinder, the blocking element is moved so that the locking element rests against the tapered tip of the blocking element, thereby allowing rotation of the cylinder core. If no authorized key is presented, the blocking element is in a position in which it rests against a non-tapered section.Thus, it extends further into the cylinder core and blocks rotation of the core.

[0006] A locking mechanism for such a cylinder is known, for example, from EP 1 626 142 A2. In this locking mechanism, a retaining element, controllable by the actuator, is guided parallel to the axis of rotation of the core into a recess in a housing pin. When the actuator is de-energized, the retaining element engages in the recess in the housing pin, thereby holding a core pin in a separating plane between the housing and the core. This blocks the movement of the core, and the cylinder is in a locked position. In the locked position, the core is thus directly and positively connected to the housing. A disadvantage is that this locking mechanism requires many components to be assembled.

[0007] The invention is based on the problem of further developing an electronic locking cylinder of the type mentioned above in such a way that it is particularly simple in design and particularly tamper-proof.

[0008] This problem is solved according to the invention in that the locking element has at least one shoulder and that one of the components of the locking element or the blocking element has a radially projecting projection and the respective opposite component of the blocking element or the locking element has a recess corresponding to the projection, and if in one rotational position of the blocking element the projection is opposite the recess and in another rotational position the projection is opposite the shoulder.

[0009] The described design requires only a single locking element, resulting in a particularly simple cylinder. Furthermore, in the best-case scenario, the actuator only requires electrical current when its position is changed. Preferably, the locking recess is designed as a blind hole in the core and is therefore not accessible via a keyway. This significantly increases the tamper resistance of the electronic cylinder.

[0010] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retention of the locking element in both the locked and unlocked positions can be permanently ensured if the locking element is self-locking in both positions. This eliminates the need for an electrical current to permanently hold the locking element in either position. Thanks to the self-locking mechanism, vibrations do not lead to manipulation of the lock cylinder.

[0011] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, controlling the locking element is particularly simple if the actuator's motor is designed as a piezoelectric motor. Such a piezoelectric motor utilizes the physical piezoelectric effect to generate linear or rotary movement and can be easily switched between two positions that remain independently in their position. Furthermore, such a piezoelectric motor consists of a particularly small number of components requiring assembly.

[0012] The locking element can be easily pushed out of the locking recess when the blocking element is in the release position during the initial movement of the core, provided that the locking recess is designed as a funnel-shaped depression and the end of the locking element projecting into the locking recess is hemispherical.

[0013] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, blocking the locking element in the position located in the locking recess is particularly simple if the shoulder is engaged behind the blocking element in the blocking position.

[0014] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, further structural simplification of the locking mechanism is achieved if the blocking element is rotatably mounted.

[0015] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking mechanism is particularly compact when the longitudinal axes of the locking element and the blocking element are aligned. This design enables the locking mechanism to withstand particularly high forces even with small dimensions in the lock cylinder, thus increasing tamper resistance.

[0016] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the design effort required to move the locking element can be kept particularly low if the locking element is pre-tensioned into the locking recess by a spring element.

[0017] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the tamper resistance of the locking cylinder can be increased by minimizing the potential energy of the blocking element in the blocked position. This design ensures that the blocking element always tends to assume the blocked position. Thus, for example, overcoming the self-locking mechanism, such as through external vibration, cannot lead to the release position being reached. Structurally, the minimum potential energy can be achieved by a restoring force. This can be generated, for example, by a torsion spring that biases the blocking element towards the blocked position. Alternatively, the blocking element can be displaced against gravity via a ramp within the locking mechanism as it moves into the release position.

[0018] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the locking cylinder can be mounted particularly easily if the locking mechanism has an actuator housing for receiving the actuator, the blocking element, and the locking element. This allows the actuator housing, the actuator, the blocking element, and the locking element to be combined into a pre-assembled unit and mounted together.

[0019] According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, further simplifying the assembly of the locking mechanism is achieved if the actuator housing has an external thread and a bore in the housing has a correspondingly designed internal thread.

[0020] The invention allows for numerous embodiments. To further illustrate its basic principle, two of these are shown in the drawing and described below. This shows in Fig. 1 shows a partial section through an electronic locking cylinder, Fig. 2 enlarges a section view through an actuator of the locking cylinder. Figure 1 in blocking position, Fig. 3 a sectional view through the actuator from Figure 2 along line III - III, Fig. 4, the actuator from Figure 2 in a release position, Fig. 5 shows a sectional view through the actuator. Figure 4 along line V - V, Fig. 6 another embodiment of an actuator of the electronic locking cylinder in blocking position, Fig. 7 the actuator from Figure 6 in release position.

[0021] Figure 1Figure 1 shows an electronic locking cylinder with a core 2 rotatable within a housing 1 and an electronic locking mechanism 3 for selectively blocking or releasing the movement of the core 2. The locking mechanism 3 has a locking element 4 guided longitudinally within the housing 1 and a locking recess 5 opposite the locking element 4 in the core 2. The locking recess 5 is designed as a funnel-shaped depression in its side walls, while the end of the locking element 4 projecting into the locking recess 5 is hemispherical. The locking element 4 is biased into the locking recess 5 by a spring element 6. When the movement of the locking element 4 is not blocked by the locking mechanism 3, the locking element 4 can be pushed out of the locking recess 5 against the force of the spring element 6 when the core 2 is rotated.When the locking element 4 is blocked by the locking mechanism 3, it is prevented from being pushed out of the locking recess 5 and thus prevents the core 2 from rotating. The electronic locking mechanism 3 has an actuator housing 7 with an external thread 8 for screwing into a correspondingly designed internal thread 9 of the housing 1. The electronic locking mechanism 3 can be controlled, for example, by a key (not shown) inserted into the core 2 or by a transponder chip reader (also not shown). For the sake of simplicity, an energy storage device, for example, located in the housing 1, and electrical lines for supplying the electronic locking mechanism 3 with electrical current and control signals are not shown.

[0022] Figure 2 shows the electronic locking mechanism 3 out Figure 1The diagram shows an enlarged sectional view through the actuator housing 7 with an actuator 10 arranged therein. The actuator housing 7 is cup-shaped to accommodate a motor 11 designed as a piezoelectric motor and an outer guide element 12. The outer guide element 12 supports a rotatably mounted locking element 13 and a drive shaft 14 which can be rotated by the motor 11 in two positions. An inner guide element 15 is fixed in the outer guide element 12 and guides the locking element 4. The inner guide element 15 also supports the spring element 6. The drive shaft 14 is positively coupled to the locking element 13 in the direction of rotation via a coupling device 16. In the shown locking position, the locking element 13 is supported by several projections 17 against a shoulder 18 on the underside of the locking element 4. This prevents the locking element 4 from engaging with the locking element 13.The blocking position can be defined as the most energy-efficient position of the blocking element 13 by means of elements not shown, such as a torsion spring. Typical mechanical manipulation attempts would thus lead to the locking mechanism being moved into the blocking position, and the lock cylinder could not be easily released.

[0023] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view through the electronic locking mechanism 3. Figure 2 along line III - III to the coupling device 16. The coupling device 16 has positively interlocking coupling claws 19, 20 arranged on the drive shaft 14 and the locking element 13.

[0024] Figure 4 Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view through the electronic locking mechanism 3 in a position releasing the movement of the locking element 4. The blocking element 13 is opposite the one shown in Figure 1. Figure 2The depicted position with the projections 17 is rotated into a position in which these projections 17 are aligned with elongated recesses 21 in the locking element 4. This allows the locking element 4 to be rotated by turning the Figure 1 The depicted core 2 is pushed out of the locking recess 5 and plunges into the blocking element 13.

[0025] Figure 5 shows in a cross-sectional view through the locking mechanism 3. Figure 4 along the line V - V, that the inner contour of the blocking element 13 with the projections 17 corresponds to the outer contour of the locking element 4 with the recesses 21, so that the locking element 4 can only dip into the blocking element 13 in the intended rotational position shown.

[0026] Figure 6 Figure 1 shows a sectional view through another embodiment of a locking mechanism 103 with an actuator 110 in a blocking position. This embodiment differs from the one shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 by means that a projection 117 of a locking element 113 is designed as a flag extending radially from a drive shaft 114. In the illustrated locking position, the projection 117 is supported against a shoulder 118 arranged in the central region of a locking element 104. A motor 111 designed as a piezoelectric motor drives the drive shaft 114 in two directions. Figures 6 and 7 The positions shown are shown.

[0027] Figure 7 shows the locking mechanism 103 from Figure 6 in a release position. Compared to the one in Figure 6 In the position shown, the drive shaft 114 is rotated by 90° so that the projection 117 of the locking element 113 is moved out of the movement range of the locking element 104. This allows the locking element 104 to be removed from the position shown. Figure 1 The depicted locking recess 5 is pushed out and immerses in the locking mechanism 103.

Claims

1. Electronic locking cylinder comprising a core (2) rotatable in a housing (1), comprising an electronic locking mechanism (3) for selectively blocking or releasing the movement of the core (2), comprising a locking element (4) movable into one of the components of the housing (1) or of the core (2), and a locking recess (5) arranged opposite the locking element (4, 104) in the component of the core (2) or of the housing (1), and comprising an electrically controllable actuator (10, 110), the actuator (10, 110) being arranged within the locking recess (5) to support the locking element (4, 104), the actuator (10, 110) having a blocking element (13, 113) that can be driven between two positions by a motor (11, 111), one position of the blocking element (13) corresponding to a blocking position of the movement of the locking element (4, 104) in which the locking element (4, 104) is held in the locking recess (5), and the other position of the blocking element (13, 113) corresponding to the release position of the locking element (4, 104), in which the locking element (4, 104) can be moved out of the locking recess (5), characterized in that the locking element (4, 104) has at least one shoulder (18, 118) and in that one of the components of the locking element (4) or of the blocking element (13) has a radially projecting projection (17) and the particular opposite component of the blocking element (13) or of the locking element (4) has a wide recess (21) corresponding to the projection (17) and in that in one rotational position of the blocking element (13) the projection (17) is opposite the recess (21) and in another rotational position the projection (17) is opposite the shoulder (18).

2. Locking cylinder according to claim 1, characterized in that the blocking element (13, 113) is held in a self-locking manner in both positions.

3. Locking cylinder according to claim 2, characterized in that the motor (11, 111) of the actuator (10, 110) is designed as a piezo motor.

4. Locking cylinder according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking recess (5) is designed as a funnel-shaped depression and the end of the locking element (4, 104) projecting into the locking recess (5) is hemispherical.

5. Locking cylinder according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shoulder (18, 118) is engaged from behind by the blocking element (13, 113) in the blocking position.

6. Locking cylinder according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blocking element (13, 113) is rotatably mounted.

7. Locking cylinder according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal axes of the locking element (4) and of the blocking element (13) are aligned.

8. Locking cylinder according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (4, 104) is pre-tensioned into the locking recess by a spring element (6).

9. Locking cylinder according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the potential energy of the blocking element (13, 113) has a minimum in the blocking position.

10. Locking cylinder according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking mechanism (3, 103) has an actuator housing (7) for receiving the actuator (10, 110), the blocking element (13, 113) and the locking element (4, 104).

11. Locking cylinder according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator housing (7) has an external thread (8) and a bore in the housing (1) has a correspondingly designed internal thread (9).