Control device for an electronic lock

Abstract

Object of the invention is a control device (10) for an electronic lock (60) that can be applied to a door (20), the aforesaid control device (10) comprising: - a first electronic component (A) placed on board the door (20) and connected to an electric control for unlocking the lock (60) - a second electronic component (B) placed on a jamb (30) of the door (20), the second component being connected to an access control system (40) via an electric cable, wherein the aforesaid first electronic component (A) is placed at the second electronic component (B) when the door (20) is in the closed position, characterized in that the second electronic component (B) comprises an energy transmitter configured to send electromagnetic waves to the first electronic component (A) in order to trigger an electric control for unlocking the lock (60).

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for an electronic lock that can be applied to a door.

[0002] Specifically, the present invention relates to a control device for an electronic lock that may have important (although not exclusive) applications in the hospitality sector.

[0003] In particular, reference is made to applications in public environments such as conference rooms, hotels and hospitality facilities in general.

[0004] For example, in hotels and hospitality facilities, the device can be used to control the opening of hotel room doors.

[0005] The control device for a lock can also be used in health care facilities such as hospitals and nursing homes or the like.

[0006] Finally, applications may also concern safes and / or personal lockers.KNOWN PRIOR ART

[0007] As well known, currently, in many hotels (or at any rate in applications involving the management of multiple apartments or private rooms), electronic locks are equipped with power supply batteries.

[0008] These batteries discharge at different times, and this forces the manager to carry out preventive battery replacements and, in some cases, to handle issues concerning locks that suddenly stop working.

[0009] Document DE102007021919 describes a lock equipped with a mounting unit with a locking zone. The door locking unit is firmly connected on or next to a door frame. During closing, the locking unit engages with the door leaf or slides over the leaf in the closed condition of the door. The door locking unit acts on the deadbolt to control the locking process directly or remotely. The deadbolt locking area is described to be preferably located on the door leaf in the handle area, i.e., approximately at the center of the door, since this is where the highest forces are expected to be applied under external loads. The locking unit is equipped with control elements, which allow the door lock to be opened and / or closed or which allow various properties and behaviors to be programmed (for example by placing the deadbolt in neutral zone to prevent the door from being accidentally locked). A locking unit is equipped with an electric drive, which engages the deadbolt of the locking area when driven. Using appropriately sized screws, the unit can be securely connected to the frame or walls.

[0010] Object of the present invention is to provide a solution that allow the need for battery or mains-connected power supply to be eliminated and, at the same time, makes it easy to retrofit existing structures.

[0011] Further object is to improve ergonomics and accessibility of existing door-opening systems, integrating them into the home environment while maintaining a fine appearance.

[0012] Further object of the invention is to achieve the aforesaid result in a practical and economical way.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] These and other objects are achieved by a control device for an electronic lock that can be applied to a door, the aforesaid control device comprising: a first electronic component placed on board the door and connected to an electric control for unlocking the lock, a second electronic component placed on a jamb of the door, the second component being connected to an access control system via an electric cable, wherein the aforesaid first electronic component is placed at the second electronic component when the door is in the closed position, characterized in that the second electronic component comprises a wireless energy transmitter configured to send electromagnetic waves, for example but not limited thereto, at low frequency, to the first electronic component in order to trigger an electric control for unlocking the lock, the transmitted energy being enough at least to trigger said lock.

[0014] An advantage of this embodiment is that it provides an innovative and practical solution for managing electronic locks, while improving operational efficiency and security in facilities that require the management of multiple entrances.

[0015] Further advantage of the invention is that it eliminates the need for complex solutions inside handles or locks, as well as the need to install mechanical contacts between the door and its frame.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the invention, the second electronic component is configured to send, not necessarily exclusively, an infrared code to authorize the triggering of the electric control for unlocking the lock.

[0017] An advantage of this solution is that it allows only authorized persons to open the door. According to another embodiment of the invention, the second electronic component is connected to the mains.

[0018] An advantage of this solution is that it avoids the installation of batteries at the door.

[0019] This aspect is of great importance because the invention not only addresses the root cause of technical and mechanical inconveniences caused by battery exhaustion, but is also very eco-friendly since, by abandoning the use of batteries, it avoids the significant issue of battery disposal and thus actively contributes to preserving the Earth from pollution.

[0020] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention can be deduced from the dependent claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0021] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clear from reading the following description provided by way of non-limiting example, with the aid of the figure depicted in the accompanying drawing, wherein: figure 1 is a schematic view of the control device for a lock. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTSOF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0022] Referring first to Figure 1, it should be noted a control device for a lock according to an embodiment of the invention is highlighted, globally denoted by numerical reference 10.

[0023] The control device of the invention consists of two main electronic components A and B.

[0024] The first component is referred to as component A in Figure 1 and is an electronic device located within the edge of the door 20 and connected, via an electrical connection line A', to the electric controls of the lock 60 for unlocking, e.g., to a drive motor of the closing mechanism or to another electrically or electromagnetically driven actuator.

[0025] For example, a linear electromagnetic actuator can be provided to retract or pull out a deadbolt closing the door leaf, the deadbolt engaging a respective seat provided in the door jamb. The electric control for unlocking the lock 60 controls the triggering of this linear electromagnetic actuator.

[0026] The second electronic component is referred to as component B in Figure 1 and is a device located on the jamb 30 of the door 20, to match the component A.

[0027] Specifically, the first electronic component A can be embedded within the leaf of the door 20 and the second electronic component B can be arranged within the jamb 30 of the door 20, so that these components A and B are not substantially visible from the outside.

[0028] In addition to being connected to an electrical power source, the second electronic component B can also be connected to an access control system 40 via an electric cable.

[0029] The access control system 40 includes at least one of a badge reader 50, a numeric keypad, a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection to interface with a smartphone, a push button, a fingerprint reader or retinal scanner, or something else known in the art.

[0030] The access control system 40 can be connected to a remote processor for the access management by an authorized operator. ccording to an embodiment of the invention, the second electronic component B comprises a wireless energy transmitter configured to send electromagnetic waves to the first electronic component A, for example but not exclusively at low frequency, in order to trigger an electric control for unlocking the lock 60.

[0031] In other words, the electromagnetic waves emitted by the second electronic component B and received by the first electronic component A provide the energy needed to unlock the lock 60, that is, at least enough energy to trigger the lock 60, thus bringing it to an open condition.

[0032] In this regard, the second electronic component B may comprise a transmitting antenna or an emitter of low-frequency electromagnetic waves, and the first electronic component A may comprise an antenna, or a detector (sensor), able to receive the electromagnetic waves emitted by the antenna or emitter of the second electronic component B.

[0033] For example, when the electromagnetic waves, transmitted by the second electronic component B, are of low frequency, they may be in the infrared field.

[0034] Alternatively, these electromagnetic waves emitted by the second electronic component B can be simultaneously either in the infrared range or at higher frequencies, such as high frequency. In this case, both the electronic components A and B comprise emitters and receivers of electromagnetic waves of two or more frequencies.

[0035] In the case of electromagnetic waves at frequencies higher than the light field, the electronic components A and B can be equipped with electromagnetic wave transmitting and receiving coils, in which the coil of the second electronic component B is powered by an alternating current of parameters suitable to generate an electromagnetic wave having a frequency, and thus energy, optimal to enable the operation of the lock 60.

[0036] Preferably, the second electronic component B is configured to send an infrared code to authorize the electric control for unlocking the lock 60 to be triggered.

[0037] Preferably, the second electronic component B is connected to the mains 70 of the building where the door 20 is installed.

[0038] Alternatively, the second electronic component B can be connected to a low-voltage DC power supply apparatus.

[0039] Another possibility is to supply 12 volts from a power supply apparatus that is in turn powered by the system connected to the mains.

[0040] It can be seen that the first electronic component A, the electric control for unlocking the lock 60 and the respective actuator, such as an electric motor, are powered by the energy transmitted to first electronic component A itself by the electromagnetic waves which are transmitted by the second electronic component B.

[0041] Therefore, the invention, in a preferred embodiment thereof, consists of an innovative system that uses a wireless transmitter of energy and infrared codes to open electronic locks without the use of traditional batteries inside the locks themselves.

[0042] The system eliminates the need for complex solutions inside the handles or locks, as well as the need to install mechanical contacts between the door and its frame.

[0043] The solution may provide the use of software that manages a powered coil placed inside the door jamb, and specifically the triggering of the door lock.

[0044] This configuration takes advantage of the structural continuity between the door frame and the building walls, thus making the necessary power supply easily available.

[0045] In addition, being in contact when the door 20 is closed, the two electronic components A and B operate as two electronic boards that constantly monitor the status of door 20, for example by measuring the conditions of electrical conductivity or impedance between them, preventing any break-ins and communicating to the access control system 40 the real-time condition of the door (e.g., open or closed).

[0046] In particular, or alternatively, a Hall-effect magnetic sensor 80, configured to detect a magnet 82 integral with the door 20, is placed preferably in the jamb 30 in order to generate an electrical signal representative of the actual closure state of the door 20 and to be able to trigger a break-in alarm, if the door is forced open.

[0047] Indeed, the described device may comprise alarm means that, when the aforesaid control means of the closing of the door 20 are present, can be triggered in the event of the door 20 being forced open and / or the door 20 itself not being completely closed.

[0048] The described device can also be applied to safes, drawers or cabinets of security archives and the like.

[0049] Currently, safes are generally battery powered as, similarly, are all locking protection devices that still require battery power, which the present invention makes it possible to eliminate.

[0050] Obviously, modifications or improvements suggested by incidental or particular reasons can be made to the previously described invention, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as claimed below.

Claims

1. Control device (10) for an electronic lock (60) that can be applied to a door (20), the aforesaid control device (10) comprising: - a first electronic component (A) placed on board the door (20) and connected to an electric control for unlocking the lock (60) - a second electronic component (B) placed on a jamb (30) of the door (20), the second component being connected to an access control system (40) via an electric cable, wherein the aforesaid first electronic component (A) is placed at the second electronic component (B) when the door (20) is in the closed position, characterized in that the second electronic component (B) comprises an energy transmitter configured to send electromagnetic waves to the first electronic component (A) in order to trigger an electric control for unlocking the lock (60), the transmitted energy being enough at least to trigger said lock.

2. Control device for an electronic lock according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic waves transmitted by the second electronic component (B) comprise electromagnetic waves in the infrared field.

3. Control device for an electronic lock according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second electronic component (B) is configured to send an infrared code to authorize the triggering of the electric control for unlocking the lock (60).

4. Control device for an electronic lock according to claim 1, wherein the second electronic component (B) is connected to an external power source selected from the mains (70) and low-voltage DC power supply apparatuses.

5. Control device for an electronic lock according to claim 1, wherein the aforesaid access control system (40) includes at least one of a badge reader (50), a numeric keypad, a Wi-Fi and / or Bluetooth connection to interface with a smartphone, a push button, a fingerprint reader or a retinal scanner.

6. Control device for an electronic lock according to claim 1, wherein since the first (A) and the second (B) electronic component are in contact when the door (20) is closed, they operate as two electronic boards that constantly monitor the status of the door, thereby preventing break-ins and communicating the real-time condition of the door to the access control system (40).

7. Control device for an electronic lock according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a Hall-effect magnetic sensor (80), configured to detect a magnet (82) integral with the door (20), is placed in the jamb (30) to generate an electrical signal representative of the actual closure state of the door (20).

8. Control device for an electronic lock according to any one of claims 6 or 7, comprising alarm means that can be triggered in the event of the door (20) being forced open and / or the door (20) not being completely closed.

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