Electric locking unit

Abstract

An electric locking unit (1) with a coupling device (8) is described, wherein the coupling device (8) has an electric motor (9) with a worm shaft (11) with a helical winding, a spring element (18), and a coupling member (19). The coupling member (19) is mounted so as to be axially displaceable in the direction of extension of the worm shaft (11) and has a contour designed for mechanical coupling to a closure element (4). The spring element (18) is connected to the coupling member (19) by a distal end section (24) and is coupled to the worm shaft (11) of the electric motor (9) by the opposite proximal end section (26) so as to be axially displaceable in order to convert a rotation of the worm shaft (11) into a linear movement of the proximal end section (26) of the spring element (18).The worm shaft (11) is in freewheeling mode when the spring element (18) is compressed or stretched into a pre-tensioned position and one of the two end positions of the locking cylinder (2) is reached in the engaged or disengaged state. The proximal end section (26) of the spring element (18) has a reduced diameter over more than one wrap of the worm shaft (11) such that the spring element (18) can engage with the worm shaft (11) with this at least one wrap.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electric locking unit with a coupling device, wherein the coupling device has an electric motor with a worm shaft with a helical winding, a spring element and a coupling member, wherein the coupling member is mounted axially displaceably in the direction of extension of the worm shaft and has a contour designed for mechanical coupling with a closure element, and wherein the spring element is connected to the coupling member with a distal end section and is coupled to the worm shaft of the electric motor with the opposite proximal end section in an axially displaceable manner in order to convert a rotation of the worm shaft into a linear movement of the proximal end section of the spring element, wherein the worm shaft is in freewheeling mode,when the spring element is compressed or stretched into a pre-tensioned position and one of the two end positions of the locking cylinder is reached in the engaged or disengaged state.

[0002] EP 1 576 246 B1 discloses such a locking device for a locking system by actuating a locking cylinder of a lock by turning a key or doorknob. A coupling element and electronically controlled drive means connected to the housing with propulsion means for moving the coupling element are provided. In the second coupling state, in which an output element couples with the rotor, the coupling element can be moved away from the propulsion means by a rotational movement of the rotor. This ensures that the coupling only occurs in a single, singular state and reduces the probability that the coupling element enters the second coupling state due to random excitations. This is achieved by a coupling element mounted so as to be movable radially relative to the direction of extension of the rotor.

[0003] EP 1 522 658 B1 discloses an electric lock in which a slider can be linearly displaced by means of a spring element. The spring element engages with an end portion in a spindle shaft of an electric motor to displace the slider coupled to the spring element upon rotation of the spindle shaft.

[0004] WO 98 / 15703 A1 describes an electromechanical lock with an electric motor whose shaft is connected to a compression spring. This compression spring forms a flexible shaft, which is connected at its distal end to a knob shaft. A pin of an axially displaceable coupling element engages a worm shaft of a helically shaped wire on the knob shaft to axially displace a coupling element.

[0005] EP 2 927 395 A1 discloses a locking cylinder with a clutch arrangement in which a slide element engages with a worm shaft to convert a rotary movement of the worm shaft into an axial movement of the slide element relative to the switching axis. A clutch device can be displaced parallel to the switching axis via the slide element by means of a drive device. The slide element is loaded in both axial directions by two spring elements with energy storage devices.

[0006] DE 10 2019 113 666 B4 discloses a locking cylinder with a cylinder housing, a locking bit rotatably mounted in the cylinder housing, a knob shaft rotatably mounted in the cylinder housing, a coupling device in the knob shaft for mechanically coupling the knob shaft to the locking bit, and control electronics connected to the coupling device for electronically coupling and decoupling the knob shaft and locking bit with the coupling device. The coupling device has an electric motor with a shaft, a spring element, and a coupling member. The coupling member is mounted on the knob shaft so as to be axially displaceable in the direction of extension of the knob shaft and has a contour designed for mechanical coupling to the locking bit. The spring element is connected to the coupling member by a distal end portion and is axially displaceably coupled to the shaft of the electric motor by the opposite proximal end portion.to convert a rotation of the shaft into a linear movement of the proximal end section of the spring element.

[0007] Based on this, it is the object of the present invention to provide an improved electrical locking unit which, with a simple and compact design, ensures an improved interaction of components for reliable operation and easy assembly.

[0008] The object is achieved by the electric locking unit having the features of claim 1 and by the electric locking unit in the form of a locking cylinder having the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

[0009] It is proposed that the proximal end section of the spring element has a reduced diameter over at least one wrap of the worm shaft such that the spring element can engage with the worm shaft with this at least one wrap.

[0010] This improves the coupling of the spring element to the worm shaft. In particular, the threading of the proximal end from the freewheel into the engaged state is improved. The risk of jamming is reduced and the transition from the disengaged to the engaged state is smoothed. The improved threading also makes mounting the spring element on the worm shaft very simple and reliable. For the freewheel, the angular degree of more than 320°, i.e. at least a single wrap, is limited to a maximum angular degree that allows the section of the spring element to be accommodated axially next to the helical turn of the worm shaft. The wrap should preferably not exceed three wraps, i.e. an angular degree of 960°.

[0011] The worm shaft can be in freewheel mode when one of the two end positions of the clamping unit is reached in the engaged or disengaged state. The worm shaft is in freewheel mode when the coupling member is disengaged from the closure element in its end position displaced away from the closure element; the coupling member is engaged in its end position displaced into the coupling contour of the closure element; the coupling member is moved to a block on the closure element but is not engaged in the coupling contour of the closure element, whereby the spring element is compressed and acts as an energy store; the coupling member is jammed on the coupling contour of the closure element when moving back into the disengaged end position and is thereby prevented from disengaging, whereby the spring element is compressed and acts as an energy store.

[0012] The spring element is compressed or stretched into a pre-stressed position.

[0013] Preferably, the proximal end section of the spring element has a diameter reduced to such an extent that the spring element can engage the worm shaft with this 1.5- to 2-fold wrap. However, a more extensive wrap is also conceivable, for example, a 2- to 3-fold wrap, i.e., an angle of 640° to 960°, but not a wrap over the entire length of the helical winding of the worm shaft.

[0014] The coupling member can have a polygonal outer contour. This allows the coupling member to be mounted in a rotationally fixed and axially displaceable manner. The polygonal shape distributes the positive engagement of the coupling member's outer contour over the outer circumference and is not limited to sharp-edged guide areas. This reduces the risk of the coupling member becoming jammed in its mounting, for example, in a coupling shaft. This ensures low frictional resistance for axial displacement.

[0015] A cylindrical outer contour of the coupling member is advantageous, with at least one projection protruding from the outer circumference of the cylinder. At least one cuboid-shaped projection is arranged on the outer circumference of the cylindrical outer contour to engage a correspondingly contoured locking recess and form a positive connection there for mechanical coupling.

[0016] For this purpose, a pair of cuboid-shaped projections on the outer circumference of the cylindrical outer contour of the coupling member can protrude from the outer circumference in opposite directions from each other.

[0017] The coupling member can comprise a spring retaining core and a coupling element, wherein the coupling element has a receiving opening for receiving the spring retaining core, which is pressed into the receiving opening with a press fit. The spring retaining core can have a support section projecting toward the worm shaft. The distal end of the spring element wraps around the support section with at least two wraps and is non-positively connected to the support section. This achieves a reliable non-positive connection of the spring element to the coupling member.

[0018] The coupling member can have a receiving opening for receiving the distal end of the spring element, which rests against a pipe wall delimiting the receiving opening. The coupling member can have at least one deformation region, at which the pipe wall is deformed into the interior of the receiving opening by means of a deformation section. The distal end of the spring element received in the receiving opening is thus positively connected to the coupling member by means of the deformation section protruding into the interior of the receiving opening. The assembly with a stable connection of the spring element to the coupling member is achieved in a simple manner by deforming the coupling member at the at least one deformation region after the spring element has been inserted into the receiving opening.

[0019] The distal end of the spring element can rest against the end face delimiting the receiving opening, wherein at least two wraps of the distal end of the spring element are arranged between the end face and the deformation section.

[0020] The spring element is preferably a compression spring, i.e. a spiral spring which expands in the direction of extension due to its spring elasticity and can be compressed against the spring force.

[0021] The electric locking unit can be designed as a locking cylinder with a cylinder housing, a locking cam mounted for rotation in the cylinder housing, and a knob shaft mounted for rotation in the cylinder housing. The coupling device is formed in the knob shaft for mechanically coupling the knob shaft to the locking cam. Control electronics are connected to the coupling device for electronically coupling and decoupling the knob shaft and locking cam. With a simple and robust design, such a locking cylinder can be inserted into a lock, e.g., a door lock, in order to open or close it using the locking cam. For this purpose, the locking cam is rotated by turning the knob shaft when the locking cam is coupled to the knob shaft in the engaged state.

[0022] The invention is further achieved by an electric locking unit in the form of a locking cylinder, which has a cylinder housing, a locking bit rotatably mounted in the cylinder housing, a knob shaft rotatably mounted in the cylinder housing, and a coupling device. The coupling device is arranged in the knob shaft and designed for the mechanical coupling of the knob shaft to the locking bit. The coupling device has an electric motor with a worm shaft with a helical winding, a spring element, and a coupling member. The coupling member is mounted axially displaceably in the direction of extension of the worm shaft and has a contour designed for mechanical coupling to a closure element.The spring element is connected to the coupling member by a distal end section and is axially displaceably coupled to the worm shaft of the electric motor by the opposite proximal end section in order to convert a rotation of the worm shaft into a linear movement of the proximal end section of the spring element, wherein the worm shaft is in freewheeling mode when one of the two end positions of the locking cylinder is reached in the coupled or uncoupled state. Freewheeling of the worm shaft can also occur when the coupling member on the locking element has moved to the block without being coupled, whereby the spring element is compressed and acts as an energy store, or is blocked by clamping on the locking element upon uncoupling, whereby the spring element is stretched and acts as an energy store.

[0023] It is proposed that the coupling member has a polygonal outer contour.

[0024] This allows the coupling element to be mounted in a rotationally fixed manner and axially displaceable. The polygonal shape ensures that the positive locking of the outer contour of the coupling element is distributed over the outer circumference and not limited to sharp-edged guide areas. The risk of the coupling element becoming jammed in its bearing, for example, in a coupling shaft, is reduced. This ensures low frictional resistance for axial displacement.

[0025] A drill protection element can be installed in the knob shaft on the side of the electric motor opposite the shaft. This prevents tampering by drilling from the unsecured side of the electric locking unit, especially the locking cylinder.

[0026] The electric locking unit can have control electronics, preferably integrated into the locking unit, which are connected to the electric motor and configured for electronically coupling and decoupling the coupling member. The control electronics can optionally also be located outside the electric locking unit and connected to the electric motor either wired or wirelessly.

[0027] The invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment with the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 -Side sectional view of a locking cylinder in the uncoupled state; Fig. 2 -Side detail view of the locking cylinder from Figure 1 in the area of ​​the coupling device; Fig. 3 -Side sectional view of a locking cylinder with pre-tensioned spring element; Fig. 4 -Side detail view of the locking cylinder from Figure 3in the area of ​​the coupling device; Fig. 5 -Side sectional view of a locking cylinder in the coupled state; Fig. 6 -Side detail view of the locking cylinder from Figure 5 in the area of ​​the coupling device; Fig. 7 - Front view of the polygonal coupling member; Fig. 8 - Side sectional view of the coupling member with spring retaining core and coupling element and spring element non-positively connected to a support section of the spring retaining core; Fig. 9 - Side view of the coupling member from Figure 8 ; Fig. 10 - Side view of another embodiment of a coupling member with a spring element connected thereto; Fig. 11 - Side sectional view of the coupling member from Figure 10 with deformation areas; Fig. 12 -Side detail view of the coupling member from Figure 11in the area of ​​a deformation area with a spring element positively connected there; Fig. 13 -perspective view of a cylindrical coupling member with a pair of cuboid-shaped projections; Fig. 14 -front view of the cylindrical coupling member from Figure 13 ; Fig. 15 -Side view of the coupling member from Figure 13 with spring retaining core and coupling element and spring element connected to a support section of the spring retaining core; Fig. 16 - Side sectional view of the coupling element from Figure 15 ; Fig. 17 -Side cut-out view of the coupling member from Figure 16 in the area of ​​a deformation area with a spring element positively connected there.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a side sectional view of an electrical locking unit 1 in the form of a locking cylinder 2 for a lock (not shown) in the uncoupled state.

[0029] The locking cylinder 2 has a cylinder housing 3 in which a locking element 4 in the form of a locking bit 4a is rotatably mounted. The locking bit 4a typically has a finger 5 protruding from the rotational axis of the locking bit 4a for actuating a bolt of a lock when the locking cylinder 2 is installed in a lock.

[0030] A knob shaft 6 is also inserted into the cylinder housing 3 and mounted there for rotation. An operating knob 7 can be attached to the end of the knob shaft 6 protruding from the cylinder housing 3.

[0031] A coupling device 8 is installed in this knob shaft 6, which is designed to mechanically couple the knob shaft 6 to the locking bit 4a. This coupling device 8 has an electric motor 9 with a shaft 10 onto which a worm shaft 11 is pressed. However, the worm shaft 11 can also be formed integrally with the shaft 10 of the electric motor 9. The worm shaft 11 has a threaded web that extends circumferentially around the circumference of the worm shaft 11 in the direction of extension of the worm shaft 11, i.e., a helical thread.

[0032] The electric motor 9 is controlled by control electronics 12. This control electronics 12 can preferably have a radio signal receiver 13 for wirelessly receiving opening and closing signals. The radio signal receiver 13 can be configured for near-field (NFC, e.g., RFID) and / or far-field reception (e.g., Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi).

[0033] The coupling device 8 is installed in a knob shaft 14 for rotation therewith. An actuating knob 15 is mounted in a rotation therewith. The knob shafts 6, 14 are each installed in an aligned bore in the cylinder housing 3 and are each positively secured against axial displacement with a locking screw 16a, 16b. The knob shafts 6, 14 have a circumferential groove 17a, 17b on their outer circumference, into which the respective locking screw 16a, 16b engages without any contact force being exerted in the radial direction on the respective knob shaft 6, 14. This ensures that the knob shafts 6, 14 are mounted in the cylinder housing 3 for rotation about their axes.

[0034] The coupling device 8 has a spring element 18 in the form of a helical spring (e.g., a compression spring). The proximal end portion of the spring element 18 closest to the electric motor 9 can engage the worm shaft 11 with at least a single wrap to cause an axial displacement upon rotation of the worm shaft 11.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the distal end of the spring element 18 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a coupling member 19. The coupling member 19 has a spring retaining core 20 and a coupling element 21. The spring retaining core 20 is received with a press fit in a receiving opening of the coupling element 21. The distal end of the spring element 18 wraps around the spring retaining core 20 and is mounted in a form-fitting and force-fitting manner between the spring retaining core 20 and the inner wall of the coupling element 21 surrounding the spring retaining core 20. The distal end of the spring element 18 is thus connected to the coupling member 19.

[0036] The coupling member 19 is mounted axially displaceably in the knob shaft 14 and has an outer contour that, together with an inner wall contour of the knob shaft 14, forms a stop to prevent rotation of the coupling member 19 in the interior of the knob shaft 14. For this purpose, the outer contour of the coupling element 21 can, for example, be polygonal. The inner wall of the knob shaft 14 has a corresponding polygonal cross-section in the section in which the coupling member 19 is received.

[0037] The proximal end section 26 of the spring element opposite the coupling member 19 has at least one turn at the outgoing end, preferably a wrap in the range of 360° to 720° (1-fold to 2-fold wrap), and particularly preferably of approximately 500° to 700°, a diameter which is reduced compared to the adjoining section, through which the proximal end section 26 enters the space between the helical turns of the worm shaft 11 and thus engages with the web-shaped threads of the worm shaft 11.

[0038] Thus, the proximal end portion 26 of the spring element 18 can be guided in the space between the helical winding of the worm shaft 8 in order to tension or relax the spring element 18 upon rotation of the worm shaft 8 and thus to move the coupling member 19 back and forth axially along the longitudinal axis of the knob shaft 14. The coupling of the proximal end portion 26 of the spring element 18 to the worm shaft 11 causes the spring element 10 to be tensioned or relaxed, and the coupling member 19 at the distal end of the spring element 10 is moved toward the interior of the knob shaft 14 or out of the front opening of the knob shaft 14 for engagement with the locking bit 4a.

[0039] In the disengaged state shown, the coupling member 19 is largely accommodated in the interior of the knob shaft 14 and spaced from a coupling contour 22 of the locking element 4.

[0040] The engaged state is reached at the latest when the coupling member 19 protrudes as far as possible from the knob shaft 14 on the front side and is positively connected to the coupling contour 22 of the locking element 4, for example the locking bit 4a.

[0041] In the disengaged state, the proximal end portion 26 of the spring element 19 is in freewheeling mode and is not engaged with the screw shaft 11. The at least single wrap is located behind the helical winding on a tubular portion of the worm shaft 11, which is present between the front end wall of the electric motor 9 and the beginning of the helical winding.

[0042] Figure 2 shows a side view of the locking cylinder 2 from Figure 1 in the area of ​​the coupling device 8.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling member 19 is constructed in several parts to facilitate assembly. It comprises the polygonal coupling element 21 with a receiving opening 23 into which the spring retaining core 20 is received. The connection between the spring retaining core 20 and the coupling element 21 can be achieved by a press fit. However, a material connection, e.g., by welding, or a positive and possibly non-positive connection by screwing, pinning, or riveting is also conceivable. However, it is also conceivable for the coupling element 21 to be constructed in one piece with the spring retaining core 20.

[0044] The distal end portion 24 of the spring element wraps around a support portion 25 projecting into the receiving opening 23 of the coupling element 21 toward the electric motor 9 with at least one wrap, preferably with more than two wraps, i.e., with a wrap angle of more than 720°. The distal end 24 is clamped force-fittingly onto the support portion 25 and positively received in the space between the support portion 25 and the inner wall of the coupling element 21 defining the receiving opening 23.

[0045] In the illustrated disengaged state, the proximal end 26 of the spring element 18 opposite the coupling member 19 is in freewheeling mode without engaging with the helical winding of the worm shaft 11. The reduced-diameter proximal end section 26 is positioned between the beginning of the helical winding of the worm shaft 11 and the end wall of the electric motor 9.

[0046] It can be seen that the diameter of the section of the spring element 18 that adjoins the proximal end section 26 and extends to the distal end section 24 is larger than the outer diameter of the helical winding of the worm shaft 11. Thus, the spring element 18 engages positively with the helical winding of the worm shaft 11 only in the region of the proximal end section 26.

[0047] Figure 3 shows a side sectional view of a locking cylinder 2 with pre-tensioned spring element 18.

[0048] The coupling contour of the coupling member 19 is not yet precisely aligned with the corresponding coupling contour 22 of the closure element 4. The coupling member 19 is therefore not yet axially displaced far enough to engage with the closure element 4. However, the spring element 18 is already preloaded by the proximal end section 26 being moved away from the electric motor 9 and toward the coupling member 19 by rotation of the worm shaft 11. For this purpose, the wraps of the spring element 18 positioned between the thread flanks of the helical winding are moved axially.

[0049] Figure 4 shows a side view of the locking cylinder 2 from Figure 3 in the area of ​​the coupling device 8 in the preloaded state.

[0050] In the end position shown, the worm shaft 11 is again in freewheeling mode, in that the proximal end section 26 is again disengaged from the thread flanks of this helical turn at the end of the helical turn and is arranged between the end of the helical turn and the coupling member 19 on a tubular end section of the worm shaft 11.

[0051] Figure 5 shows a side sectional view of a locking cylinder 2 in the engaged state. The coupling contour of the coupling member 19 is now aligned by the relative rotation of the knob shafts 6, 14 to one another such that it is adapted to the corresponding coupling contour 22 of the locking element 4. This allows the polygonal coupling member 19 to engage a correspondingly polygonal recess in the locking bit 4a. This creates a positive connection between the coupling member 19 and the locking element 4.

[0052] In the two coupled and uncoupled end positions, which are in the Figures 1 and 5 are shown, the spring element 18 is no longer engaged with the worm shaft 11. The worm shaft 11 is in freewheel mode, in particular, when one of the end positions is reached and the electric motor 9 continues to rotate. This ensures a defined pressure force of the spring element 18. In addition, power consumption during idle operation is reduced. Overloading of the spring element 18 is prevented. The end positions simplify temperature compensation. At lower temperatures, the guide is stiffer, so that the electric motor 9 must be operated for a longer time than at higher temperatures. The running time of the electric motor 9 no longer needs to be adjusted - or not as precisely - due to the freewheel in the end positions.

[0053] It can also be seen that on the side of the knob shaft 14 facing away from the coupling device 8, a drilling protection element 27 is arranged in the interior of the knob shaft 14. The drilling protection element 27 separates the unsafe side facing the actuating knob 15 from the unsafe side of the locking cylinder 2 located behind the drilling protection element 27, as seen from the actuating knob 15, on which the coupling device 8 is located.

[0054] To adapt the length of the locking cylinder 2 to a particular door leaf thickness, the cylinder housing 3 can optionally be extended by means of extension discs, which are screwed onto the front side adjacent to the actuating knob 7, 15. For this purpose, the cylinder housing 3 has threaded holes 28a, 28b on the front side to accommodate fastening screws for the extension discs.

[0055] The operating knob 15 can be fixed at several positions on the knob shaft 14. For this purpose, locking grooves 29 are provided on the knob shaft 14 in the specified locking positions.

[0056] Figure 6 shows a side view of the locking cylinder 2 from Figure 5 in the area of ​​the coupling device 8.

[0057] It can be seen that the coupling member 19 has now moved away from the electric motor 9 into the recess in the closure element 4 due to the spring pressure force of the spring element 18. The worm shaft 11 continues to be in freewheeling mode, in that the proximal end section 26 of the spring element 18 is not in engagement with the helical winding of the worm shaft 11.

[0058] Figure 7 shows a front view of the polygonal coupling element 21 with the section line BB.

[0059] The coupling element 21 has a central receiving opening 23 into which the spring retaining core 20 is installed. The outer circumference has a polygonal contour with, for example, three protruding elevations 30. Additional recesses 32 can optionally be provided in the reduced-diameter intermediate areas 31.

[0060] Figure 8 shows a side sectional view of the coupling member 19 with spring retaining core 20 and coupling element 21 and spring element 18 non-positively connected to a support section 25 of the spring retaining core 20 in section BB.

[0061] It can be seen that the diameter of the spring element 18 in the proximal end region 26 is significantly reduced over more than one wrap, i.e., more than 360°. In the illustrated embodiment, the proximal end region 26 extends over approximately 400° to 540°, i.e., more than one to 1.5 times the wrap.

[0062] Furthermore, it is clear that the distal end portion 24 is non-positively connected to the support portion 25 of the spring retaining core 20 by more than two turns. The distal end portion 24 can also rest against an end wall of the spring retaining core 20.

[0063] The spring retaining core 20 is received in the receiving opening 23 and pressed onto the coupling element 21. However, it is also conceivable that the coupling element 21 has an internal thread and the spring retaining core 20 has a corresponding external thread, and the spring retaining core 20 is screwed into the coupling element 21. Other types of fastening the spring retaining core 20 to the coupling element 21 are also conceivable.

[0064] Figure 9 shows a side view of the coupling member 19 from Figure 8 with built-in spring element 18.

[0065] The polygonal outer contour of the coupling element 21 is visible.

[0066] Figure 10shows a side view of another embodiment of a coupling member 19 with spring element 18 connected thereto and a section line CC.

[0067] This embodiment is suitable for an electric locking unit 1, which is used, for example, without a rotatable knob shaft 6, 14, by linear displacement of a pressure element 4b, which at least partially forms the locking element 4, in a fitting, for example, in a furniture lock. The coupling member 19 can be used directly as a bolt of a lock and thus form the locking element 4.

[0068] The pressure element 4b has protruding lugs 33 that are received in a guide opening to support the pressure element 4b in a linearly displaceable and rotationally fixed manner. The spring element 18 is received in a receiving opening 23 of the pressure element 4b.

[0069] Deformation regions 34 are present on the pressure element 4b, which, through deformation, provide a positive connection of the spring element 18 to the pressure element 4b.

[0070] Figure 11 shows a side sectional view of the coupling member 19 from Figure 10 in section CC with the opposing deformation regions 34. The deformation regions 34 have a blind hole 35, the edge regions of which can be caulked to the inner distal end portion 24 of the spring element 18 by the application of force. For this purpose, a punch is inserted into the blind holes 35, which deforms the inner wall 36 of the coupling element 19 adjacent to the distal end portion 24.

[0071] This type of fastening of the spring element 18 to the coupling member 19 can also be used in a corresponding manner in the first embodiment. Thus, the polygonal coupling member 19 can have blind holes 35 on its outer circumference, which fasten the distal end portion 24 to the coupling member 19 by deforming the inner walls 36 delimiting the blind holes 35.

[0072] Figure 12 shows a side cut-out view of the coupling member 19 from Figure 11 in the area of ​​a deformation area 34 with a spring element 18 positively connected there.

[0073] It can be seen that the inner wall 36 of the blind hole 35 is deformed into the receiving opening 23 of the coupling member 19 in order to compress the outer diameter of the windings of the spring element 18 at the distal end section 24 and in this way to receive the distal end section 24 in a form-fitting and friction-locking manner in the interior of the coupling member 19.

[0074] In order to allow simplified assembly and not to restrict the mobility of the main section of the spring element 18 adjoining the distal end section 24, the diameter of the receiving opening 23 can be conically widened in front of the section with the deformation areas 34.

[0075] The distal end portion 24 of the spring element 18 can rest against the end wall 37 in the interior of the coupling member 19.

[0076] Figure 13 shows a perspective view of a cylindrical coupling member 19 with a pair of cuboid-shaped projections 38 on the outer circumference of the cylindrical base body.

[0077] The coupling member 19 has a central receiving opening 23 into which the spring element 18 is installed. At least one deformation region 34 with a recess 39 is provided on the outer circumference. A blind hole 35 in the recess 39 can be deformed into the interior of the coupling member 19 in order to positively secure the distal end 24 of the spring element 18 to the coupling member 19.

[0078] The cuboidal projections 38, which protrude in opposite directions from the outer circumference of the cylindrical base body, can, when correctly aligned, engage correspondingly contoured receiving openings of a coupling contour 22 in order to couple the coupling member 19 to the knob shaft 6. This creates a positive connection between the knob shaft 6 and the coupling member 19. Due to the symmetrical arrangement of the projections 38, the coupling can take place in two relative angular positions of the knob shaft 6 and the coupling member 19, each rotated by 180° to one another.

[0079] Figure 14 shows a front view of the cylindrical coupling member 19 from Figure 13 .

[0080] It can be seen that a pair of cuboid-shaped projections 38 protrude in opposite directions from the cylindrical outer contour of the base body. The projections 38 may have chamfered edges and a slightly curved radial outer surface.

[0081] Figure 15 shows a side view of the coupling member 19 from Figure 13 with the coupling member 19 and positively connected via a deformation of a blind hole 35 in a recess 39 of a deformation area 34 spring element 18. In addition, the section line AA for the sectional view is Figure 16 shown.

[0082] Figure 16 shows a side sectional view of the coupling member 19 from Figure 15 . It can be seen that on each opposite side there is a recess 39 with a blind hole 35 in a deformation region 34. The blind hole 35 is deformed into the receiving opening 23, i.e., into the interior of the coupling member 19, with a projecting nose in each case engaging with the distal end portion 24 of the spring element 18. As a result, the spring element 18 is connected to the coupling member 19 in a form-fitting and, if necessary, also a force-fitting manner.

[0083] Figure 17shows a side cut-out view of the coupling member 19 from Figure 16 in the region of a deformation region with a spring element 18 positively connected there. It can be seen that the distal end section 24 of the spring element 18 rests against the end wall 37 of the receiving opening 23. The nose formed in the deformation region 34 is clearly visible, which rests on the outer circumference of a spring coil and, for example, positively secures two spring coils 24 between the end wall 37 and the nose or the deformation region 34. List of reference symbols 1 electric locking unit 34 Deformation range 2 Lock cylinder 35 blind hole 3 cylinder housing 36 interior wall 4 locking element 37 front wall 4a locking cam 38 cuboid projection 4b pressure element 39 Deepening 5 finger 6 Knob shaft 7 operating knob 8 Coupling device 9 electric motor 10 Wave 11 Worm shaft 12 Control electronics 13 radio signal receiver 14 Knob shaft 15 operating knob 16a, 16b locking screw 17a, 17b circumferential groove 18 spring element 19 coupling link 20 Spring retaining core 21 coupling element 22 Coupling contour 23 Receiving opening 24 distal end section 25 Support section 26 proximal end section 27 Drill protection element 28 threaded hole 29 locking groove 30 Surveys 31 Intermediate area 32 trough 33 noses

Claims

1. An electric locking unit (1) with a coupling device (8), wherein the coupling device (8) has an electric motor (9) with a worm shaft (11) with a helical winding, a spring element (18), and a coupling member (19), wherein the coupling member (19) is mounted so as to be axially displaceable in the direction of extension of the worm shaft (11) and has a contour designed for mechanical coupling to a closure element (4), and wherein the spring element (18) is connected to the coupling member (19) by a distal end section (24) and is coupled to the worm shaft (11) of the electric motor (9) so as to be axially displaceable by the opposite proximal end section (26) in order to convert a rotation of the worm shaft (11) into a linear movement of the proximal end section (26) of the spring element (18), wherein the worm shaft (11) is in freewheeling mode,when the spring element (18) is compressed or stretched into a pre-tensioned position and one of the two end positions of the locking cylinder (2) is reached in the coupled or uncoupled state, characterized in that the proximal end section (26) of the spring element (18) has a reduced diameter over more than one wrap of the worm shaft (11) such that the spring element (18) can engage with the worm shaft (11) with this at least one wrap.

2. Electric locking unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling member (19) has a polygonal outer contour.

3. Electric locking unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling member (19) has a cylindrical outer contour, with a cuboid-shaped projection being arranged on the outer circumference.

4. Electric locking unit (1) according to claim 3, characterized in thata pair of cuboid-shaped projections on the outer circumference of the cylindrical outer contour of the coupling member (19) protrude from the outer circumference in opposite directions from each other.

5. Electrical locking unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the coupling member (19) has a spring retaining core (20) and a coupling element (21), wherein the coupling element (21) has a receiving opening (23) for receiving a spring retaining core (20) which is installed in the receiving opening (23) in a rotationally fixed manner, and wherein the spring retaining core (20) has a support section (25) projecting towards the worm shaft (11) and the distal end section (24) of the spring element (18) wraps around the support section (25) with at least two wraps and is non-positively connected to the support section (25).

6. Electrical locking unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in thatthe coupling member (19) has a receiving opening (23) for receiving the distal end section (24) of the spring element (18), which rests against a pipe wall delimiting the receiving opening (23), wherein the coupling member (19) has at least one deformation region (34) at which the pipe wall is deformed into the interior of the coupling member (19) with a deformation section, and the distal end section (24) of the spring element (18) received in the receiving opening (23) is positively connected to the coupling member (19) with the deformation section projecting into the interior of the coupling member (19).

7. Electric locking unit (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the distal end section (24) of the spring element (18) rests against the end face (37) delimiting the receiving opening (23) and at least two wraps of the distal end section (24) of the spring element (18) are arranged between the end face (37) and the deformation section.

8. Electrical locking unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring element (18) is a compression spring.

9. Electric locking unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical locking unit (1) is designed as a locking cylinder (2) with a cylinder housing (3), a locking bit (4) rotatably mounted in the cylinder housing (3) and a knob shaft (14) rotatably mounted in the cylinder housing (3), wherein the coupling device (8) is designed in the knob shaft (14) for the mechanical coupling of the knob shaft (14) to the locking bit (4), and wherein control electronics (12) for the electronic coupling and decoupling of the knob shaft (14) and the locking bit (4) are connected to the coupling device (8).

10. An electric locking unit (1) in the form of a locking cylinder (2) with a cylinder housing (3), a locking bit (4) rotatably mounted in the cylinder housing (3), a knob shaft (14) rotatably mounted in the cylinder housing (3), and a coupling device (8), wherein the coupling device (8) is arranged in the knob shaft (14) and is designed for mechanically coupling the knob shaft (14) to the locking bit (4) and has an electric motor (9) with a worm shaft (11) with a helical winding, a spring element (18), and a coupling member (19), wherein the coupling member (19) is mounted axially displaceably in the direction of extension of the worm shaft (11) and has a contour designed for mechanical coupling to a closure element (4),and wherein the spring element (18) is connected to the coupling member (19) by a distal end portion (24) and is coupled to the worm shaft (11) of the electric motor (9) by the opposite proximal end portion (26) in an axially displaceable manner in order to convert a rotation of the worm shaft (11) into a linear movement of the proximal end portion (26) of the spring element (18), wherein the worm shaft (11) is in freewheeling mode when one of the two end positions of the locking cylinder (2) is reached in the coupled or uncoupled state when the spring element (18) is compressed or stretched into a prestressed position, characterized in that the coupling member (19) has a polygonal outer contour or a cylindrical outer contour with a cuboid projection arranged on the outer circumference.

11. Electric locking unit (1) according to claim 10, characterized in thata pair of cuboid-shaped projections on the outer circumference of the cylindrical outer contour of the coupling member (19) protrude from the outer circumference in opposite directions from each other.

12. Electric locking unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a drilling protection element (27) is arranged in the knob shaft (14) on the side of the electric motor (9) opposite the shaft (10).

13. Electric locking unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a control electronics unit (12) which is connected to the electric motor (9) and is configured for the electronic coupling and decoupling of the coupling member (19).

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