Lock arrangement
The lock arrangement with a dual-pin mechanism and magnetic control enhances security by requiring sequential manipulation of locking and security pins, addressing vulnerabilities in existing lock systems.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2024151925
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-15
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-16
AI Technical Summary
Existing lock arrangements lack sophisticated safety features to prevent unauthorized tampering, making them vulnerable to manipulation.
A lock arrangement with a core that rotates within a core body, featuring a locking pin and a security pin that require sequential manipulation to enable core rotation, enhanced by magnetic mechanisms and geometric configurations to secure the locking pin's movement, ensuring dual security before unlocking.
The dual-pin mechanism significantly complicates unauthorized access by requiring precise manipulation of both pins, enhancing the security and reliability of the lock against tampering.
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Figure IMGAF001_ABST
Abstract
Description
FIELD
[0001] Various embodiments relate to a field of lock arrangements.BACKGROUND
[0002] Lock arrangements are used, for example, in doors to prevent access of unauthorized persons. The unauthorized person may attempt to temper with the lock arrangement to get it open. The lock arrangement may comprise safety features intended to prevent or at least make it more difficult to tamper with the lock arrangement. The known safety features of lock arrangements have some drawbacks.
[0003] Hence, there is a need for more sophisticated safety features of the lock arrangements.BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0004] The present invention is defined by the subject matter of the independent claim. Embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
[0005] The embodiments and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claim are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the invention.LIST OF DRAWINGS
[0006] Some embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 - 5 illustrate a lock arrangement with a locking and a security pin according to embodiments of the invention; Figures 6 - 16 illustrate the locking and the security pin according to embodiments of the invention; and Figures 17 - 26 illustrate the lock arrangement with the locking and a clutch pin according to embodiments of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0007] The following embodiments are only examples. Although the specification may refer to "an" embodiment in several locations, this does not necessarily mean that each such reference is to the same embodiment(s), or that the feature only applies to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments may also be combined to provide other embodiments. Furthermore, words "comprising" and "including" should be understood as not limiting the described embodiments to consist of only those features that have been mentioned and such embodiments may contain also features / structures that have not been specifically mentioned.
[0008] Reference numbers, both in the description of the embodiments and in the claims, serve to illustrate the embodiments with reference to the drawings, without limiting it to these examples only.
[0009] The applicant, iLOQ Oy, has invented many improvements for the electromechanical locks, such as those disclosed in various European and US patent applications and patents. A complete discussion of all those details is not repeated here, but the reader is advised to consult those publications. The reader is advised to consult at least the following patent publications of the applicant EP3118977B1, EP3480396A1, EP3480395A1, EP4269725A1, EP3825496A1 and EP3530847A1.
[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a lock arrangement comprising a lock cylinder, a core arranged, at least partly, inside a core body wherein the core is configured to rotate in relation to the core body about a longitudinal axis of the core, a locking pin configured to move between a first and a second position, wherein in the first position the locking pin is configured to prevent rotation of the core in relation to the core body, and in the second position the locking pin is configured to enable rotation of the core in relation to the core body, and a security pin configured to move between a first and a second position, wherein in the first position the security pin is configured to prevent moving of the locking pin to the second position, and in the second position the security pin is configured to enable moving of the locking pin to the second position.
[0011] Referring to Figure 1, the lock arrangement 100 comprises the core 102 and the core body 104 wherein the core 102 is arranged, at least partly, inside the core body 104. The core body may be arranged within a lock cylinder (not illustrated in Figures). Hence, the lock arrangement illustrated in Figure 1 may be part of the lock cylinder. The core is configured to rotate around its longitudinal axis 102_L (center line) in relation to the core body. The core may comprise a front end 102_FE configured to be connected with an operation knob. The operation knob is configured to enable a user to rotate the operation knob such that the core rotates with the knob. In other words, the user provides the rotational movement of the core via operation knob that may set the lock to an open state. For example, electromechanical locks may be keyless, wherein instead of having a key, the operation knob may be used. The operation knob may include an antenna to receive the electric energy. The electric energy may be harvested from an NFC (Near-Field Communication) signal transmitted by a user apparatus, for example. A back end of the core 102_BE is configured to be coupled with a tailpiece or any other mechanism configured to set the lock to the open state when the user applies rotational force to the operation knob, for example.
[0012] Still referring to Figure 1, the lock arrangement 100 further comprise the lock pin 106 configured to enable or disable rotation of the core 102 in relation to the core body 104. The lock pin comprises the first position 106_P1 and the second position 106_P2 and is configured to move between the positions as illustrated in Figures 2 and 4, for example. The first position of the locking pin prevents (disenables) rotation of the core. Then rotational force applied to the operation knob by the user cannot set the lock to the open state since the core does not rotate and cannot transmit rotation to the other components of the lock which are configured to set the lock to the open state. The second position of the locking pin allows (enables) rotation of the core. Then rotational force applied to the operation knob by the user can set the lock to the open state since the core is capable of rotating and transmitting rotational movement to the other components of the lock which are configured to set the lock to the open state. As described above, the locking pin is configured to lock or unlock the core in relation to the core body. When the core is locked by the locking pin, the lock cannot be set to the open state, and when the core is unlocked, the lock can be set to the open state.
[0013] Still referring to Figure 1, the lock arrangement 100 comprises the security pin 108 configured to control moving of the locking pin between the first and the second positions 106_P1, 106_P2. The security pin 108 comprises the first position 108_P1 and the second position 108_P2 and is configured to move between the positions as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, for example. In the first position the security pin is configured to prevent movement of the locking pin from the first position to the second position. In the second position the security pin is configured to enable moving of the locking pin from the first position to the second position. Hence, when the lock arrangement is going to be set to the unlocked state, the security pin must be set to the second position which releases the locking pin to move to the second position allowing rotational movement of the core.
[0014] The locking and the security pin may have a cylindrical shape and comprise a first and a second ends 106_E1 - E2, 108_E1 - E2. Between the ends is a body part 106_B, 108_B having a round shape. The shape of the locking pin and / or the security pin may also be other than cylindrical / round.
[0015] The locking pin together with the security pin makes manipulation (tampering) of the lock arrangement very difficult since the security pin must first be manipulated to the correct position before the locking pin can be tried to manipulate. Hence, there is a double securing before the locking pin can be released such that the core can rotate to set the lock arrangement to the open state.
[0016] In an embodiment, a longitudinal axis of the locking pin 106_L is unparallel with a longitudinal axis of the security pin 108_L as illustrated in Figure 5, for example. Hence, moving directions of the pins are different when the pins are moved between the first and the second positions.
[0017] In another embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the locking pin 106_L is substantially perpendicular in relation to the longitudinal axis of the security pin 108_L. The locking pin and the security pin are configured to move along their longitudinal axis, meaning that the locking pin and the security pin moves perpendicularly in relation to each other. This makes tampering even more difficult. When the locking pin and the security pin are arranged substantially perpendicularly (in 90 degrees angle) in relation to each other, then security pin must be manipulated to move in a first direction which is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the core, and the locking pin must be manipulated to move perpendicularly in relation to the longitudinal axis of the core, for example.
[0018] In an embodiment, illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the locking pin 106 comprises a protrusion 118 configured to interact with the security pin 108. The protrusion is configured to be in contact with the security pin when the locking pin is tried to move to the second position and the security pin is in the first position. In other words, when the security pin blocks movement of the locking pin to the second position. The protrusion may extend away from the locking pin substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the locking pin.
[0019] As illustrated in an embodiment of Figure 5, the protrusion may be arranged to one end of the locking pin 106_E1, and it may cover the whole circumference of the pin. Hence, a diameter of the cylindrical locking pin may be larger in the point of the protrusion than outside of the protrusion. The part of the locking pin which have the larger diameter may be used to prevent rotational movement of the core in relation to the core body, for example. Larger diameter can tolerate bigger forces.
[0020] In an embodiment, the protrusion covers just partly the circumference of the locking pin. The protrusion may be arranged on one side of the locking pin, for example. It may be arranged on the side where the security pin is, making possible interacting of the security pin with the locking pin.
[0021] In an embodiment of Figures 6, 7 and 8, the locking pin 106 comprises a first groove 120 configured to receive the security pin 108 in the first position of the security pin 108_P1. So, the security pin may enter, at least partly, inside the groove in the first position. Then the first end of the security pin may enter the groove and go through the groove such that the body part of the pin is substantially in the groove as illustrated in Figure 7, for example. The longitudinal centrelines of the locking pin and the security pin 106_L 108_L may not intersect as can be seen in Figure 6.
[0022] In an embodiment of Figure 12, the first end of the security pin 108_E1 is configured to enter the groove 120 and to stay there in the first position of the security pin 108_P1. In this embodiment, the groove may be like a cavity on the body of the locking pin which is configured to receive the first end of the security pin as illustrated in Figures 12 and 13. Then longitudinal centrelines of the locking pin and the security pin 106_L. 108_L may intersect as can be seen in Figure 13.
[0023] In an embodiment of Figures 9, 10 and 11, the security pin 108 further comprises a second groove 122 configured to receive the locking pin 106 to enable moving of the locking pin between the first and the second position pin 106_P1, 106_P2. The first groove 120 in the locking pin 106 enables movement of the security pin 108 in the direction of its longitudinal axis 108_L, in other words between the first and the second positions 108_P1, 108_P2. In the first position of the security pin, the second groove is not aligned with the locking pin as illustrated in Figure 9, and in the second position the security pin is moved such that the second groove is aligned with the locking pin as illustrated in Figure 10. This means that when the security pin is in the second position and the locking pin is in the first position, the first and the second grooves are aligned enabling movement of the locking pin to the second position. When the locking pin can enter the second position, the lock arrangement can be set to the open state. Because of the second groove in the security pin, there is no need to pull the security pin out of the first groove, instead the security pin is moved such that the first and the second grooves are aligned which enables moving of the locking pin.
[0024] Figure 9 illustrates a situation in which the locking and the security pin are in the first position, and the grooves are not aligned. This means that the locking pin cannot move from the first to the second position since the body part of the security pin prevents it. Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a situation where the security pin is in the second position and the locking pin is in the first position such that the grooves are aligned. Now the locking pin is capable of moving in the second groove of the security pin to the second position. Figure 10 is from a top view of the security pin, and the Figure 11 is from one side of the security pin.
[0025] Referring to Figure 1, in an embodiment, the locking pin 106 and the security pin 108 are arranged within the core 102. The locking and the security pin may be placed inside the core such that the locking pin in the first position can prevent rotational movement of the core in relation to the core body. The core body may be a stationary part in the lock arrangement in a normal use, and the core may be movable part such that it can rotate about its longitudinal axis in the lock arrangement. The locking pin may enter from the core into the core body in the first position.
[0026] Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, in an embodiment, the core 102 comprises a hole 124 and the core body comprises a cavity 126, wherein the locking pin 106 is configured to enter through the hole 124 into the cavity 126 in the first position of the locking pin 106_P1. As described above, the core body may be the stationary part and when the locking pin is arranged in the core such that it can enter from the core into the core body, the rotational movement of the core is blocked. Then the locking pin may enter some other stationary counterpart than the core body, for example.
[0027] In an embodiment, illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the longitudinal axis of the locking pin 106_L is unparallel with the longitudinal axis of the core 102_L. Then the locking pin in the second position may extend through a curved side wall of the core into the core body. As described, the core may be a cylindrical part having the front and back ends and the round body between them. In an embodiment, the locking pin may enter the core body substantially perpendicularly in relation to the longitudinal axis of the core. Then the hole in the core may be in the round shaped core body.
[0028] In another embodiment, the hole in the core for the locking pin may be in the front and / or the back end of the core and the locking pin may move substantially in parallel with the longitudinal axis of the core. In other words, the longitudinal axis of the locking pin is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the core.
[0029] Referring now to Figure 2, in an embodiment, the lock arrangement 100 further comprises a first stationary magnet 110 with a first coil 112 and a first movable magnet 128 arranged in the locking pin 106, wherein the first coil 112 is configured change a polarity of the first stationary 110 magnet to move the first movable magnet 128, wherein the movement of the first movable magnet 128 is further configured to move the locking pin 106 between the first and the second positions 106_P1, 106_P2, and a second stationary magnet 114 with a second coil 116 and a second movable magnet 130 arranged in the security pin 108, wherein the second coil 116 is configured change a polarity of the second stationary magnet 114 to move the second movable magnet 130, wherein moving of the second movable magnet 130 is further configured to move the security pin 108 between the first and the second positions 108_P1, 108_P2.
[0030] The movable magnets 128, 130 may be permanent i.e., they are made from a material that is magnetized and creates its own persistent magnetic field. Permanent magnets are made from magnetically "hard" materials (like ferrite) that are processed in a strong magnetic field during manufacture to align their internal microcrystalline structure, which makes them very hard to demagnetize. Magnetically "soft" materials (like annealed iron) can be magnetized but do not tend to stay magnetized. To demagnetize a saturated magnet, a magnetic field with an intensity above a coercivity of the material of the magnet is applied. Magnetically "hard" materials have a high coercivity, whereas magnetically "soft" materials have a low coercivity. The stationary magnets 110, 114 may be magnetically "semi-hard" material which coercivity is between the "soft" magnetic materials and "hard" magnetic materials.
[0031] In an embodiment, the movable permanent magnet 128, 130 is made of "magnetically" hard material. In an embodiment, the movable permanent magnet 128, 130 is an SmCo (samarium-cobalt alloy) magnet, whose coercivity is 40-2800 kA / m (typically between 400 - 2800kA / m).
[0032] In an embodiment, the stationary permanent semi-hard magnet 110, 114 is an AlNiCo (aluminium-nickel-cobalt alloy) magnet, whose coercivity is typically 30-150 kA / m.
[0033] Note that according to some classifications, the AlNiCo magnet is counted as a hard magnet, but in this application, the semi-hard magnet is such magnet that is nottoo soft, so that it easily becomes demagnetized, but not too hard either, so that its polarity may be reversed with the electrically powered magnetization coils using an appropriate current.
[0034] The coils 112, 116 are electrically powered magnetization coils configured to switch the polarity of the stationary permanent semi-hard magnets 110, 114 between a first magnetization configuration S-N and a second magnetization configuration N-S. N and S refers to the North pole N and the South pole S of the magnet, and the opposite poles (S-N, N-S) attract each other, whereas similar poles (N-N or S-S) repel each other. The lock may further comprise or is connected with a processor configured to provide a control signal to the coil(s) to switch the polarity of the magnet(s). Change of the magnetization configuration causes moving of the movable magnets, which also moves the pins between the first and the second positions since the movable magnets are within the pins. In an embodiment, the electrically powered magnetization coil operates so that a flow of electricity in one direction causes the first magnetization configuration S-N, and a flow of the electricity in an opposite direction causes the second magnetization configuration N-S.
[0035] The electrically powered magnetization coil may be a part of a magnetizer (not illustrated in Figures). The magnetizer generates a very short pulse of a very high electric current, which causes a brief but very strong magnetic field. The electric pulse may be caused by storing up electric current in a bank of capacitors at high voltage and then suddenly discharging the capacitors through an electronic switch. The electric pulse is applied to the electrically powered magnetization coil, which may be at its simplest form a coil of wire.
[0036] The reader is advised to consult the patent applications EP3825496A1 of the applicant wherein moving of the pins by the magnets in the electromechanical lock is described in detail.
[0037] In an embodiment, the security pin 108 in the first position 108_P2 is further configured to prevent moving of the locking pin 106 from the second position 106_P2 to the first position 106_P1. For example, the locking pin may be forced to stay in the open position by the security pin. The security pin may be first moved to the second position which allows moving of the locking pin to the second position, and when the locking pin is in the second position, the security pin is moved to back to the first position. The security pin in the first position prevents moving of the locking pin back to the first position. This embodiment is not illustrated in Figures. Any of the features described in this application may be used to implement this embodiment.
[0038] In an embodiment, a moving distance of locking pin 106 between the first and the second position 106_P1, 106_P2 is less than diameter of the secure pin 108. Hence, one end of the security pin 108_E1 is, at least partly, towards the locking pin 106 in the first and the second position of the locking pin 106_P1, 106_P2. Then the security pin is pointing towards the locking pin in both first and second positions of both pins. Hence, the distance which the locking pin moves between the first and the second positions is shorter that a diameter of the security pin. When the distance is short, moving of the pin(s) consumes as less energy as possible which is very essential in self-powered locks.
[0039] Referring now to Figures 14, 15 and 16, in an embodiment, a first end of the security pin 108_E1 comprises at least two projections 132A, 132B having a space S between them, wherein the space S is configured to receive the locking pin at least in its first position 106_P1. In other words, one end of the security pin may comprise a fork shape wherein the locking pin is between tines (spikes) in the first position of the security pin. In an embodiment, the protrusion of the locking pin 118 may interact with the projections 132A, 132B such that the security pin 108 in the second position 108_P2 prevents moving of the locking pin 106 from the first position 106_P1 to the second position 106_P2 as illustrated in Figure 15. In another embodiment, the at least one groove 120 may interact with the projections 130A, 132B such that the security pin 108 in the first position 108_P1 prevents moving of the locking pin 106 from the first position 106_P1 to the second position 106_P2 as illustrated in Figure 16.
[0040] Referring now to Figures 17, 18, 19, 20, 25 and 26 in an embodiment, the lock arrangement 100 comprises a plug 134 and a clutch pin 136 in the core 102 having a first and a second position 136_P1, 136_P2, wherein the clutch pin 136 is configured to enable rotation of the plug 134 with the core 102 in the second position 136_P2, and to prevent rotation in the first position 136_P1, wherein the core 102 comprises a hole 138 having a collar 140 covering a part of a circumference of the hole 138 and the extending parallel with a centreline of the hole CL1, wherein an inner surface of the collar 140_IS is configured to press against the clutch pin 136 in the second position 136_P2 when the clutch pin 136 is used to enable rotation of the plug 134 with the core 102.
[0041] It is important to realize, that in a first embodiment, the lock arrangement may be used with the locking pin which enables or disables rotational movement of the core in relation to the core body, and where the locking pin is secured by the security pin. In other words, the security pin must be in the correct position to enable or disable moving of the locking pin. In this embodiment, the rotational movement of the core may directly be conveyed to lock components that enables opening of the lock.
[0042] In a second embodiment, the lock arrangement may be used with the locking and the security pin, as described above, but in addition the lock arrangement may comprise the clutch pin. Hence, there may be totally three pins in the lock arrangement. The locking pin enables or disables rotational movement of the core in relation to the core body, the security pin enables or disables moving of the locking pin, and the clutch pin enables or disables rotation of the plug with the core. In this embodiment, the rotational movement of the core may not directly be conveyed to lock components, instead the clutch pin is used to enable or disable conveying of the rotational movement of the core to the plug, and the rotation of the plug enables opening of the lock. Hence, there may be the locking pin secured by the security pin but there may also be the clutch pin used for conveying rotational movement of the core to the other components to set the lock to the open state.
[0043] In a third embodiment, the lock arrangement comprises the locking pin and the clutch pin. In this embodiment, the security pin may not be used. So, the lock arrangement may also be operated without the security pin.
[0044] Figures 17, 18, 19, 21 and 22 illustrate the core, the plug and / or the clutch pin from a top view. Figures 20, 23, 25 and 26 illustrates the core, the plug and / or the clutch pin from a side view. Figure 24 illustrates the core and the clutch pin from one end view of the core.
[0045] Referring still to Figures 17, 18, 19, 20, 25 and 26, in an embodiment, the arrangement comprises the plug 134 which is configured to rotate with the core 102 when the clutch pin 136 is the second position 136_P2. The plug may be in connection with a cam or a tail piece, for example. At least a part of the core may be arranged to enter inside the plug such that the core and the plug overlap as illustrated in Figures 18 and 20. Figures 18 and 20 are cross sections of the core and the plug with the locking and clutch pin. The clutch pin may be arranged within this overlapped section. A longitudinal axis of the clutch pin 136_L may be perpendicular in relation to the longitudinal axis of the core 102_L1. In the first position 136_P2 the clutch pin 136 stays in the core 102 such that it is not in contact with the plug, and does not convey rotational movement of the core 102 to the plug 134, and in the second position 136_P2 the clutch pin 136 extends into the plug 134 such that when the core 102 rotates, the plug 134 rotates with the core 102. This rotational movement of the plug enables setting of the lock to the open state.
[0046] In an embodiment, the core 102 comprises the front and back ends that are connected by the clutch pin 134 in the second position of the clutch pin 136_P2. In this embodiment, the plug may be the back end and be connectable to the front end such that together they form the core. Hence, the core may comprise two part that are the front end and the back end, and these parts are connected together by the clutch pin in its second position such that rotation of the front end is transferred to the back end.
[0047] Referring now to Figures 19 and 20, the core 102 may comprise the hole 138 for the clutch pin 136 to enable interacting of the clutch pin 136 with the plug 134. The hole 138 may have the collar 140 covering at least part of the circumference of the hole 138 and extending parallel with the centreline of the hole CL1. The collar may then follow an edge of the hole such that it covers part of it and extends away from the hole in the direction of the centre line of the hole. Hence, the inner surface of the collar 140_IS may have a curved shape like the pin as illustrated in Figure 19, for example. In the second position of the clutch pin, the inner surface of the collar is configured to press against the clutch pin when rotation of the core is conveyed (transferred) to the plug by the clutch pin.
[0048] Referring now to Figure 22 that is a simplified illustration of the clutch pin, the core and the plug. In an embodiment, the collar 140 is configured to cover a first part of a diameter of the clutch pin 136_D1 in the second position 136_P1. Hence, the collar also covers a first part of a diameter (circumference) of the hole 138. In Figure 22 is illustrate a centreline CL2 that divides the radius of the clutch pin (and the hole) to two halves. The first part of the diameter of the clutch pin 136_D1 (or the hole) may be a first half or less, and a second part of the diameter of the clutch pin 136_D2 (or the hole) may be a second half or less.
[0049] Still referring to Figure 22, in an embodiment, the plug 134 comprises a cavity 142 configured to receive the clutch pin 136 in the second position 136_P2 such that the cavity 142 covers the second part of the diameter of the clutch pin 136_D2. Hence, the first part of the diameter of the clutch pin 136_D1 is cover by the collar 140, and the second part of the diameter of the clutch pin 136_D2 is covered by the cavity 142. The inner surface of the cavity 142_IS may have a curved shape like the pin. Hence, when the clutch pin 136 is in the second position 136_P2, the first part of the diameter of the clutch pin 136_D1 is covered by the collar 140, and the second part of the diameter 136_D2 is covered by the cavity 142.
[0050] In an embodiment, the inner surface of the collar 140_IS and inner surface of the cavity 142_IS has substantially the same radius (diameter) as the clutch pin 136. As described above, both inner surfaces have the curved shape, and the radius of this curved surface is substantially the same as the clutch pin. The substantially same radius / diameter ensures that the pin's surface touches the inner surface(s) on a large area. Hence, force which is applied to the pin in not a point load, instead force is directed to the larger area of the pin.
[0051] Referring now to Figures 22 and 23, in an embodiment, the first and the second parts of the diameter of the clutch pin 136_D1, 136_D2 are opposite sides of the clutch pin 136. In other words, the first and the second parts of the diameter of the clutch pin are substantially on the same place in the pin in the lengthwise (L) but on the opposite sides as Figure 23 illustrates. Hence, the inner surface of the collar and the cavity are also on the opposite sides of the clutch pin in its second position. The first and the second part of the diameter may be about a half of the diameter of the clutch pins, hence together they may cover substantially the whole diameter of the clutch pin. The clutch pin is then divided into two halves in a width direction W (Figure 23) such that the first half is pressed against the inner surface of the collar, and the second half is pressed against the inner surface of the cavity.
[0052] Figures 24 illustrates rotation directions of the core RD1, RD2 from the view of one end of the core 102. The rotation directions are also illustrated in Figure 22 from a top view of the clutch pin, Figure 22 further illustrates a rotation axis of the core, the clutch pin, and the plug RA1. Hence, when the core is rotated the clutch pin rotates about (around) the rotation axis RA1. Referring now to Figures 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26, when the clutch pin 136 is in the second position 136_P2 and the core 102 is rotated to the first or the second direction RD1, RD2, the inner surface of the collar 140_IS presses against the clutch pin 136 which also presses the clutch pin 136 against the inner surface of the cavity 142_IS of the plug 134. In this state, the clutch pin is compressed between the inner surfaces of the collar and the cavity which enables transferring of the rotation movement between the core and the plug. In the first position of the clutch pin, rotation of the core cannot be delivered to the plug as can be seen in Figure 25. Then the core can rotate in relation to the plug, if the locking pin is in the second position, but this rotation is not transferred to the plug since the clutch pin does not connect the core with the plug.
[0053] The technical effect of the invention is that when the clutch pin is used to transmit rotation of the core to the plug, the stress, which is directed to the pin, is compressing instead of shearing. Traditionally the pin, when transferring rotation of a first component to a second component, is stressed such that the pin is divided in the length direction L into two halves, and then force which is directed to the pin is more shearing. For example, the first component covers a first half of the pin in the length direction, and the second component covers a second half of the pin in the length direction. Then an interface between the first and the second component is in the width direction of the pin. In the invention, this interface is in the length direction that provides more robust structure compared to the traditionally solution since the pin is pressed between the components (core and plug) that reduces the shear force substantially. This improves reliability and safety of the lock arrangement.
[0054] In an embodiment, the plug 134 comprises an opening 144 on an inner surface to receive the collar 140 and to enable rotational movement of the core 102 when the clutch pin 136 is in the first position 136_P1, and the locking pin 106 is in the second position 106_P2. As described above, the core may extend inside the plug such that there is the overlapped section between them in which the clutch pin and the collar are arranged. The opening may also be arranged in the overlapped section on the plug side. The opening may be arranged on the inner surface of the plug. The opening may cover at least a part of the inner circumference of the inner surface. A length of the opening is configured to enable rotational movement such that the lock can be set to the open state.
[0055] In an embodiment, the arrangement further comprises a third stationary magnet 146 with a third coil 148 and a third movable magnet 150 arranged in the clutch pin 136, wherein the third coil 148 is configured change a polarity of the third stationary magnet 146 to move the third movable magnet 150, wherein moving of the third movable magnet 150 is further configured to move the clutch pin 136 between the first and the second positions 136_P1, 136_P2. Functioning of the third stationary magnet with the third coil and the third movable magnet in the clutch pin is the same as described above with the first and the second magnets and coils.
[0056] An electric energy of the lock arrangement may be harvested by using the Near Field Communication (NFC) from a smartphone or other user apparatus, or the current may be generated from a key insertion, for example. However, other sources of electric energy may be applied as well.
[0057] It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, as the technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A lock arrangement (100), comprising: a core (102) arranged, at least partly, inside a core body (104) wherein the core (102) is configured to rotate in relation to the core body (104) about a longitudinal axis of the core (102_L); a locking pin (106) configured to move between a first and a second position (106_P1, 106_P2), wherein in the first position (106_P1) the locking pin (106) is configured to prevent rotation of the core (102) in relation to the core body (104), and in the second position (106_P2) the locking pin (106) is configured to enable rotation of the core (102) in relation to the core body (104); and a security pin (108) configured to move between a first and a second position (108_P1, 108_P2), wherein in the first position (108_P1) the security pin (108) is configured to prevent moving of the locking pin (106) to the second position (106_P2), and in the second position (108_P2) the security pin (108) is configured to enable moving of the locking pin (106) to the second position (106_P2).
2. The lock arrangement of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of the locking pin (106_L) is unparallel in relation to a longitudinal axis of the security pin (108_L).
3. The lock arrangement of claim 2, wherein the longitudinal axis of the locking pin (106_L) is perpendicular in relation to the longitudinal axis of the security pin (108_L).
4. The lock arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the locking pin (106) comprises a protrusion (118) configured to interact with the security pin (108).
5. The lock arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the locking pin (106) comprises at least a first groove (120) configured to receive the security pin (108) in the first position of the security pin (108_P1).
6. The lock arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the security pin (108) further comprises a second groove (122) configured to receive the locking pin (106) to enable moving of the locking pin (106) between the first and the second position (106_P1, 106_P2).
7. The lock arrangement of claims 5 - 6, wherein aligning of the first and the second groove (120, 122) is configured to enable moving of the locking pin (106) to the second position (106_P2).
8. The lock arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the locking pin (106) and the security pin (108) are arranged within the core (102).
9. The lock arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the longitudinal axis of the locking pin (106_L) is unparallel with the longitudinal axis of the core (102_L).
10. The lock arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein security pin (108) in the second position (108_P2) is further configured to prevent moving of the locking pin (106) from the second position (106_P2) to the first position (106_P1).
11. The lock arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein a moving distance of locking pin (106) between the first and the second position (106_P1, 106_P2) is less than diameter of the secure pin (108).
12. The lock arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein a first end of the security pin (108_E1) comprises at least two projections having a space (S) between them, wherein the space (S) is configured to receive the locking pin at least in its first position (106_P1).
13. The lock arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the lock further comprises a first stationary magnet (110) with a first coil (112) and a first movable magnet (128) arranged in the locking pin (106), wherein the first coil (112) is configured change a polarity of the first stationary (110) magnet to move the first movable magnet (128), wherein the movement of the first movable magnet (128) is further configured to move the locking pin (106) between the first and the second positions (106_P1, 106_P2), and a second stationary magnet (114) with a second coil (116) and a second movable magnet (130) arranged in the security pin (108), wherein the second coil (116) is configured change a polarity of the second stationary magnet (114) to move the second movable magnet (130), wherein moving of the second movable magnet (130) is further configured to move the security pin (108) between the first and the second positions (108_P1, 108_P2).
14. The lock arrangement of any preceding claim, wherein the lock arrangement further comprises a plug (134) and a clutch pin (136) within the core (120) having a first and a second position (136_P1, 136_P2), wherein the clutch pin (136) is configured to enable rotation of the plug (134) with the core (102) in the second position (136_P2) and to disable rotation in the first position (136_P1), wherein the core (102) comprises a hole (138) having a collar (140) covering a part of a circumference of the hole (138) and extending parallel with a centreline of the hole (CL1), wherein an inner surface of the collar (140_IS) is configured to press against the clutch pin (136) in the second position (136_P2) when the clutch pin (136) is used to enable rotation of the plug (134) with the core (102).
15. The lock arrangement of claim 14, wherein the collar (140) is configured to cover a first part of a diameter of the clutch pin (136_D1) in the second position (136_P1).
16. The lock arrangement of claims 14 - 15, wherein the plug (134) comprises a cavity (142) configured to receive the clutch pin (136) in the second position (136_P2) such that the cavity (142) covers a second part of the diameter of the clutch pin (136_D2), and wherein the clutch pin (136) is configured to press against an inner surface of the cavity (142 IS) when the clutch pin (136) is used to enable rotation of the plug (134) with the core (102).
17. The lock arrangement of claims 14 - 16, wherein the inner surfaces of the collar (140_IS) and the cavity (142_IS) has substantially the same radius with the clutch pin (136).
18. The lock arrangement of claims 14 - 17, wherein the first and the second parts of the diameter of the clutch pin (136_D1, 136_D2) are opposite sides of the clutch pin (136).
19. The lock arrangement of claims 14 - 18, wherein the arrangement further comprises a third stationary magnet (146) with a third coil (148) and a third movable magnet (150) arranged in the clutch pin (136), wherein the third coil (148) is configured change a polarity of the third stationary magnet (146) to move the third movable magnet (150), wherein moving of the third movable magnet (150) is further configured to move the clutch pin (136) between the first and the second positions (136_P1, 136_P2).
Citation Information
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