Key for a cylinder lock and cylinder lock

Abstract

The invention relates to a key (1) for a cylinder lock (9) comprising at least one lateral surface (2) running along the longitudinal extension of the key (1), on which at least one coding (3) is provided for scanning in the cylinder lock (9), wherein the coding (3) has multiple control points (4) which are provided along the longitudinal extension in defined scanning positions and transverse to the longitudinal extension at defined control heights, wherein the coding (3) comprises at least one groove section N and a curved section L along the longitudinal extension, wherein the groove section N has a control groove (5) that is bordered on both sides and the curved section K has a control curve (6) that is open on one side, and wherein at least one control point (4) is arranged in a groove section N and at least one other control point (4') is arranged in a curved section K of the same coding (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a key for a cylinder lock and a cylinder lock for such a key.

[0002] A generic key comprises at least one side surface extending along the length of the key, on which at least one code is provided for interrogation in the cylinder lock. The code comprises several control points located at defined scanning positions along the length and at defined control heights transverse to the length.

[0003] Such keys are generally known from the prior art. Cylinder locks for accommodating such keys have a keyway with at least one side wall, with scanning positions provided along the length of the keyway. At each scanning position, at least one control element is provided for querying the corresponding control point of a code on a side surface of the key. The cylinder lock is provided with at least one locking element, which, when all control elements are correctly positioned, can be brought into the release position to actuate the cylinder lock.

[0004] Known systems are shown in DE 36 03 687A1, WO 2019 / 077285 A1, WO 2017 / 153557 A1, US 2011 / 126600 A1 and WO 2020 / 001901 A1.

[0005] One problem with such keys, however, is that modern, especially high-resolution, photographic techniques make it easy to create copies of the keys. Another problem with cylinder locks is that they can be operated by unauthorized persons using specialized tools.

[0006] An object of the invention is to solve this problem and to provide a key and a cylinder lock which solves the above-mentioned problems and creates improved devices.

[0007] These and other objects are achieved according to the invention by the features of the characterizing parts of the independent patent claims.

[0008] In a key according to the invention, the coding comprises at least one groove section N and one curved section K along the longitudinal extent. The groove section N has a control groove delimited on both sides. The curved section K has a control cam open on one side. At least one control point is arranged in a groove section N, and at least one other control point is arranged in a curved section K of the same coding.

[0009] One Steuernut refers to a track-like depression that is defined by two opposing surfaces that are essentially perpendicular to the groove base. In contrast, a Steuerkurve a track-like depression which is bounded on one side only by a surface lying essentially normal to the bottom of the track, and is open on the opposite side.

[0010] For interrogation in the cylinder lock, movably mounted control elements can be provided at the control points, which are guided either on the control groove or on the control cam when the key is inserted into the cylinder lock. This means that different interrogation elements can be provided in the cylinder lock, namely, on the one hand, control elements that are positively guided in the control groove, and on the other hand, control elements that are oriented on the single surface of the control cam and are, for example, preloaded against it. Such a design of the key according to the invention with a groove section N and a cam section K ensures greater security of the key compared to a photographic reproduction, since it is difficult to trace the transition between the groove section with the control groove and the cam section with the control cam from a photo.

[0011] Such combinations of control groove and control cam can therefore only be copied under difficult conditions.

[0012] According to the invention, it can be provided that two or more groove sections N, N', N", each with at least one control groove, are provided along the longitudinal extent of the key. According to the invention, it can also be provided that two or more curve sections K, K', K", each with at least one control curve, are provided along the longitudinal extent. According to the invention, it can be provided that groove sections N, N', N" and curve sections K, K', K" are provided alternately along the longitudinal extent of the key. This makes it particularly difficult to copy the key.

[0013] According to the invention, the control cam is formed by a partial opening of a control groove in the region of one or more scanning positions. This means that in these embodiments, the control cam represents a continuation of an existing control groove, which, however, is open on one side. This can be achieved by the control groove extending at least partially beyond the side surface of the key, or by the groove base of the control groove extending in one direction to the edge of the key.

[0014] According to the invention, at least four, preferably six, scanning positions A - F and at least four, preferably six control heights a - f can be provided. These discrete scanning positions thus define a two-dimensional grid of predetermined positions at which the control points can be arranged on the side surface of the key. The spacing of the scanning positions A - F, like the spacing of the control heights a - f, can be the same or variable.

[0015] According to the invention, the key can be a flat key. The coded side surface can be arranged on a flat side of the flat key. However, the coded side surface can also be arranged on a narrow side of the flat key. The narrow side can also be referred to as the back side of the flat key.

[0016] In particular, it can be provided that the key has two side surfaces. The side surfaces can be arranged opposite one another or adjacent to one another. Coding can be provided on at least one or both side surfaces. For example, two opposite coded or uncoded flat sides and two opposite coded or uncoded narrow sides can be provided. In various embodiments of the invention, it can be provided that one or more side surfaces have a coding according to the invention with curved sections and groove sections, and the remaining side surfaces have no codes or only conventional codes. The key can in particular have a substantially rectangular cross-section.

[0017] The coding on the side surfaces can be designed in such a way that the key can be used as a reversible key. In other words, the coding on the side surfaces can be identical from the perspective of the cylinder lock when the key is rotated 180° around its longitudinal axis.

[0018] According to the invention, two or more different codes can be provided on the same side surface of the key. Each code can comprise control points located at defined scanning positions along the longitudinal extension and at defined control heights transverse to the longitudinal extension. The codes can be designed as independent control grooves and control curves that preferably do not intersect. However, embodiments are also provided in which the codes intersect or at least touch.

[0019] According to the invention, it can further be provided that at least one magnetic, magnetizable, or magnetically repellable region is provided on the key. Such a region can, in particular, be designed to magnetically interact with an element in the cylinder lock.

[0020] This makes it possible, in particular, to ensure that a control element arranged in the cylinder lock is held in a defined position by magnetic force during the transition from a groove section to a curve section and back, and does not fall out of a control curve - for example due to gravity or vibrations - or become jammed or assume an undefined position during the transition from a control curve to a control groove.

[0021] For this purpose, it can be provided in particular that the magnetic, magnetizable or magnetically field-attractable or repulsive region is located approximately in the region of the transition from a groove section to a curved section of a coding.

[0022] The invention further relates to a Zylinderschloss for receiving a key according to the invention, comprising a key channel with at least one side wall, with scanning positions provided along the longitudinal extent of the key channel, wherein at each scanning position at least one control element is provided for querying control points of at least one coding on at least one side surface of a key according to the invention. A cylinder lock according to the invention further includes a locking element which, when the control elements are correctly positioned, can be brought into a release position for actuating the cylinder lock.

[0023] According to the invention, at least one first control element has a first control member for engaging a control groove of the coding, and at least one second control element has a second control member for engaging a control curve of the coding. In other words, a first control element in the cylinder lock is designed to query a control point in a groove section N of the key, and a second control element in the cylinder lock is designed to query a control point in a curve section K of the key.

[0024] The first control element and the second control element can be designed differently. This provides the additional advantage—in addition to compatibility with the key described above—that a cylinder lock designed this way offers greater security against unauthorized operation than conventional cylinder locks with identical control elements, since an unauthorized person attempting to open the cylinder lock has no idea of ​​the specific design of the internal control elements.

[0025] According to the invention, the control elements can have engagement means, in particular one or more interrogation grooves, which interact with the locking element in one or more positions of the control elements such that the locking element can be brought into a release position for actuating the cylinder lock. The interrogation grooves can be designed, in particular, as circular projections whose dimensions are adapted to the corresponding control points on the key.

[0026] According to the invention, the first control element is freely movable transversely to the longitudinal extent of the keyway. Preloading of this first control element is not absolutely necessary, since it is generally guided in the control groove in a form-fitting manner anyway, and there is no risk of the first control element escaping from the control groove due to the two-sided limitation of the control groove.

[0027] According to the invention, however, the second control element is preloaded transversely to the longitudinal extent of the keyway. Such preload can be achieved, for example, by supporting the second control element on a cylinder core of the cylinder lock via a coil spring. Preload will generally be necessary because the second control element is not guided in a form-fitting manner, but rather scans a control curve in the curved section, i.e., it only rests against one side edge of the control curve, thus creating a risk that the second control element could escape from the control curve due to gravity or vibration.

[0028] According to the invention, it can also be provided that the second control element comprises a magnetic element that is magnetizable, or can be attracted or repelled by a magnetic field, which element is designed to magnetically interact with an area on the key. The magnetic element can ensure, in particular, that the second control element does not assume an incorrect position due to gravity or vibrations when leaving a control groove and entering a control curve. Instead, it will assume a predefined position due to the magnetic effect, so that it is correctly inserted when the key is further inserted. It is irrelevant whether a permanent magnet is provided on the key and a ferromagnetic element on the control element, or vice versa.

[0029] The invention further relates to a system comprising at least one key according to the invention and at least one cylinder lock according to the invention.

[0030] Further features of the invention will become apparent from the patent claims, the drawings, and the description of the embodiments. The invention is explained in more detail below using several non-exclusive embodiments. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic three-dimensional view of part of an embodiment of a key according to the invention; Fig. 2 a schematic three-dimensional view of a part of an embodiment of a key according to the invention with embodiments of control elements of a cylinder lock according to the invention; Fig. 3 a schematic three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a system according to the invention comprising a key according to the invention and a cylinder lock according to the invention; Figs. 4a - 4b schematic three-dimensional views of embodiments of control elements of a cylinder lock according to the invention; Figs. 5a - 5c a schematic three-dimensional view and a sectional view of an embodiment of a key according to the invention in combination with a control element according to the invention; Fig. 6 a further embodiment of a key according to the invention in combination with elements of a cylinder lock according to the invention.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of part of an embodiment of a key according to the invention.

[0032] The key 1 is designed as a flat key and comprises two opposing side surfaces 2, 2' running along its longitudinal extent. The side surfaces 2, 2' are each arranged on a flat side of the flat key. Two codes 3, 3' are provided on the side surface 2 for interrogation in the cylinder lock 9 (not shown). In this embodiment, the codes 3, 3' are formed by several control points 4, 4', which are provided along the longitudinal extent at defined scanning positions A - F and transversely to the longitudinal extent at defined control heights a - f.

[0033] The approximate positions of the scanning positions A - F and control heights a - f are indicated schematically. The control points 4, 4' are indicated purely schematically as dashed circles and symbolize those points on the key 1 that are scanned by discrete control elements 11, 11' in the cylinder lock 9 to actuate the cylinder lock 9.

[0034] For each of the two codes 3, 3', groove sections N, N', N" and curve sections K, K', K" are provided along the longitudinal extent. The groove sections N, N', N" each have a control groove 5 limited on both sides. The curve sections K, K', K" each have a control curve 6 open on one side. Control points 4 are arranged in the control grooves 5 of the groove sections N, N', N". Control points 4' are arranged in the control curves 6 of the curve sections K, K', K".

[0035] In the specific example, for coding 3, starting from the key tip, a curve section K with two control points 4', a groove section N with two control points 4 and a further curve section K' with two control points 4' are provided.

[0036] For coding 3', in this embodiment, starting from the key tip, a groove section N with a control point 4, a curved section K with a control point 4', another groove section N' with a control point 4, another curved section K' with a control point 4', as well as another groove section N" with a control point 4 and a final curved section K" with a control point 4' are provided. With coding 3, two control points 4, 4' are therefore provided alternately in each section; however, with coding 3', one control point 4, 4' is provided alternately in each section.

[0037] In this exemplary embodiment, the control groove 5 and the control cam 6 are each formed as a narrow recess with a rectangular cross-section on the side surface 2 of the key 1, wherein the control groove 5 has a base surface and two opposite and essentially parallel side surfaces, while the control cam 6 has only a single side surface. In other words, the recess of the side surface 2 is limited for the control cam 6 only on one side and is open on the other side towards the narrow side (back side) of the key 1. In the specific exemplary embodiment, the control cam 6 is therefore formed by a one-sided opening of a control groove 5 in the region of one or more scanning positions.

[0038] Fig. 2 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of the embodiment of a key 1 according to the invention from Fig. 1 in combination with embodiments of control elements 11, 11' according to the invention of a cylinder lock 9 (otherwise not shown). The control elements 11, 11' are essentially cylindrical core pins which are mounted in the core of the cylinder lock 9 so as to be displaceable along their longitudinal direction and which interact with a locking element 12 (not shown) of the cylinder lock 9 via query grooves 14.

[0039] A first control element 11 with a (not visible) first control member 13 for engagement in a control groove 5 of the coding 3 and second control elements 11' with (not visible) second control members 13' for engagement in control cams 6 of the coding 3 are provided. Specifically shown are a non-preloaded or non-spring-loaded first control element 11 in the area of ​​the key tip and two preloaded second control elements 11' in the area of ​​the key blade.

[0040] The non-preloaded control element 11 engages in a control groove 5 at the key tip, which is delimited on both sides, and is guided therein essentially in a form-fitting manner. In contrast, the preloaded control elements 11' are each pressed against the single side wall of a control cam 6 (located at the top in this illustration) via coil springs 15 in order to follow this cam during insertion and removal of the key 1. This prevents the control elements 11 from assuming an unguided and thus undefined state when leaving a control groove 5 and entering a control cam 6.

[0041] Fig. 3 shows a schematic three-dimensional view of an embodiment of a system according to the invention comprising a key 1 according to the invention and a cylinder lock 9 according to the invention. The key 1 is designed as a flat key and is inserted into a key channel 10 of the cylinder lock 9. Shown is the inventive interaction of the control elements 11, 11', which are provided at dedicated scanning positions in the key channel 10, with the coding on the side surface 2 of the key 1 and a bar-shaped locking element 12. Only when all control elements 11, 11' are in the correct position can the locking element 12 engage in the query grooves 14 of the control elements 11, 11' and release the parting plane between the cylinder core 16 and the cylinder housing 17, so that the cylinder core 16 can be rotated in the cylinder housing 17.In the present partial sectional view, only the control elements 11' preloaded by spiral springs 15 are visible.

[0042] Figs. 4a - 4b show schematic three-dimensional views of embodiments of first and second control elements 11, 11' according to the invention of a cylinder lock 9 according to the invention. The control elements 11, 11' are essentially cylindrical or pin-shaped and have a longitudinal axis along which they are displaceable during operation. Perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a first and second control member 13, 13' protrude radially outward in the form of circular projections. The first and second control members 13, 13' serve to scan the control points 4, which form the codes 3, 3' on the side surface 2, 2' of the key 1.

[0043] Fig. 4a shows a second control element 11' prestressed by a spiral spring 15 for scanning the side wall of a control cam 6 open on one side, while Fig. 4b a non-preloaded control element 11 for essentially form-fitting guidance in a control groove 5. The dimensions of the control elements 13, 13' are adapted to the dimensions of the control groove 5 or the control cam 6 in order to enable functional scanning of the control points 4.

[0044] Figs. 5a - 5c show a schematic three-dimensional view and a sectional illustration of a further embodiment of a key 1 according to the invention in combination with a control element 11 according to the invention of a cylinder lock 9. In this embodiment, the key 1 is again provided with a plurality of control points 4, which are connected in a groove section N along the longitudinal extent by a control groove 5 delimited on both sides, and with a plurality of control points 4, which are connected in a curve section K along the longitudinal extent by a control curve 6 open on one side. At the key tip, the coding 3' is provided with a funnel-shaped recess in order to enable the control elements 11, 11' to be received when the key 1 is inserted. The control elements 11, 11' are guided in a control groove 5 as the key 1 is further inserted into the key channel 10.

[0045] In the position shown, the control groove 5 merges into a control cam 6 by opening the control groove 5 at its lower side. To prevent the non-preloaded control element 11 from escaping from the control cam in this position (for example due to gravity or vibrations), a magnetic or magnetizable area 7 is provided on the key 1 in the area of ​​the transition from the groove section to the cam section, which area is designed to interact with an element 8 in the control element 11. This is shown in the sectional view according to Fig. 5b as well as in the three-dimensional view of the control element 11 according to Fig. 5c clearly shown.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the magnetic region 7 on the key 1 is a permanent magnet, and the magnetizable element 8 in the control element 11 is an insert comprising ferromagnetic or paramagnetic material. In other embodiments, this can also be reversed, as long as the technical effect is achieved that the control element 11 is held in the intended position in the region of the transition from the groove section to the curved section or is pulled in a designated direction and does not exit the curved section, which is open on one side.

[0047] Fig. 6shows a further embodiment of a key 1 according to the invention in combination with elements of a cylinder lock 9 according to the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the coded side surface 2 is the narrow side (back side) of a flat key. A coding 3 is again provided in the form of a plurality of control points 4, wherein a plurality of control points 4 are connected in at least one groove section N along the longitudinal extent of the key by a control groove 5 delimited on both sides, and further control points 4 are connected in at least one curve section K along the longitudinal extent by a control curve 6 open on one side. First control elements 11 with first control members 13 for engaging in the control groove 5 of the coding 3, and second control elements 11' with second control members 13' for engaging in the control curve 6 of the coding 3 are provided. Otherwise, this embodiment corresponds to the embodiments presented above.

[0048] The scope of protection, as defined in the claims, is not limited to the illustrated embodiments but also encompasses combinations of different embodiments. Thus, keys according to the invention can have multiple codings formed in different designs on the flat side and / or on the narrow side of the key. The choice of control points and the design of the control cams and control grooves is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. In particular, different shapes of the control cams and control grooves can be provided, both for different codings and within a single coding. Furthermore, in addition to the control cams and control grooves, further codings can be provided on the flat sides and / or narrow sides of the key. List of reference symbols

[0049] 1Key 2, 2'Side surface 3, 3'Coding 4, 4'Control points 5Control groove 6Control cam 7Magnetic or magnetizable area 8Magnetic or magnetizable element 9Cylinder lock 10Key channel 11, 11'Control element 12Locking element 13, 13'Control element 14Query grooves 15Coil spring 16Cylinder core 17Cylinder housing

Claims

1. A key (1) for a cylinder lock (9), comprising a. at least one lateral surface (2) extending along the longitudinal extension of the key (1), b. on which at least one encoding (3) is provided for reading in the cylinder lock (9), wherein c. the encoding (3) comprises a plurality of control points (4) which are provided along the longitudinal extension at defined reading positions and transversely to the longitudinal extension at defined control levels, wherein d. the encoding (3) comprises at least one groove section N and one curve section K along the longitudinal extension, wherein e. the groove section N has a control groove (5) bounded on both sides and the curve section K has a control curve (6) open on one side, and wherein f. at least one control point (4) is arranged in a groove section N and at least one other control point (4') is arranged in a curve section K of the same encoding (3), characterised in that g. along the longitudinal extension of the key (1), alternating groove sections N, N', N" and curve sections K, K', K" are provided, and that h. the control curve (6) is formed by partially opening a control groove (5) in the area of one or more reading positions.

2. The key (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that two or more groove sections N, N', N" are provided along the longitudinal extension, each with at least one control groove (5).

3. The key (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that two or more curve sections K, K', K" are provided along the longitudinal extension, each with at least one control curve (6).

4. The key (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that at least four, preferably at least six reading positions A - F and at least four, preferably at least six control levels a - f are provided.

5. The key (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the key (1) is a flat key, wherein the lateral surface (2) is arranged on a flat side of the flat key.

6. The key (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the key (1) is a flat key, wherein the lateral surface (2) is arranged on a narrow side of the flat key.

7. The key (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the key (1) has two lateral surfaces (2, 2') which are preferably opposite each other, with encodings (3, 3') provided on at least one, preferably both, lateral surfaces (2, 2').

8. The key (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that the encodings (3, 3') on the lateral surfaces (2, 2') are designed in such a way that the key (1) is usable as a reversible key.

9. The key (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that at least two encodings (3, 3') are provided on the same lateral surface (2, 2') of the key (1).

10. The key (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that at least one area (7), that is magnetic, magnetisable or attractable or repellable by a magnetic field, is provided on the key (1), which is designed to interact magnetically with an element (8) in the cylinder lock (9).

11. A cylinder lock (9) for receiving a key (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a. a key channel (10) with at least one lateral wall, b. with reading positions provided along the longitudinal extent of the key channel (10), c. wherein at least one control element (11, 11') for reading control points (4) of at least one encoding (3) on at least one lateral surface (2) of the key (1) is provided at each reading position, d. wherein at least one locking element (12) is provided which, when the control elements (11, 11') are in the correct position, can be moved into a release position for actuating the cylinder lock (9), e. wherein at least a first control element (11) has a first control member (13) for engaging with a control groove (5) of the encoding (3), and f. at least one second control element (11') has a second control member (13') for engaging with a control curve (6) of the encoding (3) characterised in that g. the first control element (11) is freely movable transversely to the longitudinal extension of the key channel (10), and that h. the second control element (11') is prestressed transversely to the longitudinal extension of the key channel (10), for example by a spiral spring (15), wherein i. the control members (13, 13') extend equally far into the key channel.

12. The cylinder lock (9) according to claim 11, characterised in that the control elements (11, 11') have engagement means, in particular one or more reading grooves (14), which interact with the locking element (12) in one or in a plurality of positions of the control elements (11, 11') in such a way that the locking element (12) can be moved into a release position for actuating the cylinder lock (9).

13. The cylinder lock (9) according to claim 11, characterised in that the second control element (11') comprises a magnetic, magnetisable element (8) or an element (8) attractable or repellable by a magnetic field, which is designed to interact magnetically with an area (7) on the key (1).

14. A system comprising at least one key (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and at least one cylinder lock (9) according to one of claims 11 to 13.

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