Arrangement of electromechanical lock

Abstract

According to the invention, there is provided an arrangement of an electromechanical lock (100) comprising a rotor (102) comprising at least one movable magnet (104) and at least one actuation element (106), at least one stationary magnet (108) with a coil (110), wherein the coil (110) is configured, under control of a processing circuitry (122), to change a polarity of the stationary magnet (108) between a first and a second magnetization configuration (MC1, MC2), wherein the first magnetization configuration (MC1) is configured to turn the movable magnet (104) with the rotor (102) to a first position (P1), and the second magnetization configuration (MC2) is configured to turn the movable magnet (104) with the rotor (102) to a second position (P2), and a coupling element (112), wherein in the first position of the rotor (P1) the actuation element (106) is positioned to enable moving of the coupling element (112) towards the rotor (102) to set the coupling element (112) to an uncoupled state (US), and in the second position of the rotor (P2) the actuation element (106) is positioned to limit moving of the coupling element (112) towards the rotor (102) such that the coupling element (112) stays in a coupled state (CS).

Description

FIELD

[0001] Various embodiments relate to a field of electromechanical locks.BACKGROUND

[0002] There is a plurality of different types of electromechanical locks available in the market. The known issue with self-powered electrotechnical locks is to keep consumption of power low and at the same time provide a robust and reliable structure against tampering.

[0003] Hence, there is a need for the more sophisticated electromechanical lock structure.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, 2 and 3 illustrate an arrangement of an electromechanical lock according to an embodiment of the invention; Figures 4 and 5, illustrate the arrangement of the electromechanical lock according to an embodiment of the invention; Figures 6, 7A and 7B, illustrate moving of a coupling element according to embodiments of the invention; Figure 8, illustrates the arrangement of the electromechanical lock according to an embodiment of the invention; Figures 9A and 9B illustrate magnets of the arrangement of the electromechanical lock according to embodiments of the invention; Figures 10A and 10B illustrate moving of a rotor of the arrangement of the electromechanical lock according to an embodiment of the invention; Figures 11A, 11B, 12A and 12B illustrate the arrangement of the electromechanical lock according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figures 13A and 13B illustrate the arrangement of the electromechanical lock according to an embodiment 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.

[0010] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an arrangement of an electromechanical lock comprising a rotor having at least one movable magnet and at least one actuation element, and at least one stationary magnet with a coil, wherein the coil is configured to change a polarity of the stationary magnet between a first and a second magnetization configuration, wherein the first magnetization configuration is configured to turn the movable magnet with the rotor to a first position, and the second magnetization configuration is configured to turn the movable magnet with the rotor to a second position. The arrangement further comprises a coupling element, wherein in the first position of the rotor the actuation element is positioned to enable moving of the coupling element towards the rotor to set the coupling element to an uncoupled state, and in the second position of the rotor the actuation element is positioned to prevent, at least partly, moving of the coupling element towards the rotor such that the coupling element stays in a coupled state.

[0011] Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the rotor 102 (rotator) is a rotating part in the arrangement 100 and it comprises at least one movable magnet 104 and at least one actuation element 106. The rotor may rotate about (around) a rotation axis (middle axis) A1 in a direction R1 when turned between the first and the second positions. Figure 6 is a side view of the arrangement illustrating the rotation axis A1. The rotor may rotate freely around the rotation axis hence rotation may not be limited with other components. The movable magnet may be arranged such that a first pole is within a first half of the rotor, and a second pole is within a second half of the rotor. The movable magnet may be arranged stationarily in relation to the rotor, in other words, the movable magnet may not move in relation to the rotor. The rotor further comprises the actuation element that can interact (cooperate) with the coupling element such that the coupling element can be moved to the uncoupled state or kept in the coupled state. The actuation element is a feature that, when positioned correctly in relation to the coupling member, allows or prevents (limits) moving of the coupling element towards the rotor. The actuation element may be integrated within the rotor, or it may be a separate part arranged within the rotor. In embodiment, the rotor is made of magnetic or ferromagnetic material. When the rotor is made of magnetic or ferromagnetic material, it protects the movable and / or the stationary magnet against external manipulation. In other words, manipulation of the movable and / or stationary magnet by applying an external magnet field is very difficult. The manipulation refers to actions in which the position of the rotor is tried to change by the external magnetic field to set the lock to an open position, for example.

[0012] Still referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the arrangement 100 further comprises at least one stationary magnet 108 with an electrically powered magnetization coil 110 wherein the coil 110 is used to change / switch the polarity of the stationary magnet 108. The coil may be controlled by the processing circuitry. For example, the processing circuitry, when authorized, may provide a control signal to change the polarity of the stationary magnet. Changing the polarity of the magnet by the coil is well known in the different solutions. For example, the applicant's patent publication EP3825496 discloses use of the coil for changing the polarity of the magnets. The stationary magnet may be arranged substantially stationarily within the arrangement such that it can interact with the movable magnet. In other words, the movable and the stationary magnet are placed in the vicinity of each other such that magnetic fields at least partly overlap. The movable magnet may move (with the rotor) in relation to the stationary magnet. It is important to realize that the stationary magnet may also slightly move within the arrangement but is not configured to change its position in the arrangement like the movable magnet. The stationary magnet is configured to stay put in the arrangement and by switching its polarity, to get the movable magnet moving.

[0013] Figure 1 illustrates the first position of the rotor P1 and the first magnetization configuration MC1. As described above, the movable magnet is movable in relation to the stationary magnet and when the movable magnet is arranged within the rotor, the rotor moves (rotates, turns) with the movable magnet. In the first magnetization configuration, a first pole of the stationary magnet 108_P1 is north (N) attracting a first of the movable magnet 104_P1 that is south (S), a second pole of the stationary magnet 108_P2 is south (S) attracting a second pole of the movable magnet 108_P2 that is north (N).

[0014] Figure 2 illustrates the second position of the rotor P2 and the second magnetization configuration MC2. In the second magnetization configuration, the polarity of the stationary magnet is switched the other way around compared to the first magnetization configuration. In other words, the first pole of the stationary magnet 108_P1 is now switched to south (S) and the second pole 108_P2 is switched to north (N). This forces the movable magnet with the rotor to turn to the second position P2 such that the second pole of the movable magnet 104_P2 (N) is aligned with the first pole of the stationary magnet 108_P1 (S), and the first pole of the movable magnet 104_P1 (S) is aligned with the second pole of the stationary magnet 108_P2 (N).

[0015] As described above, the stationary magnet may not move in relation to the movable magnet, and the movable magnet is arranged within the rotating rotor, then switching of the polarity of the stationary magnet turns the movable magnet with rotor between the first and the second positions. In an example of Figures 1 and 2, the rotor is turned about 180 degrees around the rotation axis A1 when switching between the first and the second positions by the magnetization configurations. 180 degrees is just one example, and the turning angle may also be less than 180 degrees.

[0016] As the rotor turns due to the movement of the movable magnet, a position of the actuation element changes in the arrangement. For example, Figure 1 illustrates the first position of the rotor in which the actuation element is upwards, and Figure 2 illustrates the second position of the rotor in which the actuation element is downwards. So, the position of the actuation element is changed (turned) when the position of the rotor is changed between the first and the second positions. This enables allowing and limiting of moving of the coupling member towards the rotor in the arrangement.

[0017] Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the arrangement 100 further comprises the coupling element 112 arranged to interact with the actuation element of the rotor 106. The coupling element can move in a first direction D1, and movement of the coupling element can be limited (or allowed) by the actuation element. In the first position of the rotor P1 the actuation element 106 is positioned such that it enables moving of the coupling element 112 towards the rotor 102 (direction D1) to the uncoupled state US as illustrated in Figure 3. In the second position of the rotor P2 the actuation element 106 is positioned to limit moving of the coupling element 112 towards the rotor 102 (direction D1), then the coupling element 112 stays in the coupled state CS as illustrated in Figure 2. The coupling element 112 can also move back to the coupled state CS in the direction D1 from the uncoupled state US.

[0018] Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, in an embodiment, a first end of the coupling element 112_E1 interacts with the actuation element, and a second end of the coupling element 112_E2 interacts with a counterpart 120. Hence, when the actuation element 106 is positioned to allow moving of the coupling element 112 in the first direction D1 towards the rotor 102, the second end of the coupling element 112_E2 moves away from the counterpart 120 such that the coupling element 112 is not coupled (is uncoupled) with the counterpart 120. This situation is illustrated in Figure 3. When the actuation element 106 is positioned to limit or prevent moving of the coupling element 112 in the first direction D1 towards the rotor 102, the second end of the coupling element 112_E2 stays within the counterpart 120 such that the coupling element 112 is coupled with the counterpart 120. This situation is illustrated in Figure 2. Hence, the coupling element has the coupled state (CS) in which it is coupled with the counterpart, and the uncoupled state (US) in which it is not coupled with the counterpart. The uncoupled state is possible when the rotor with the actuation element is in the first position, the coupled state when the rotor with the actuation element is in the second position. So, the terms "uncoupled and coupled state" refers to the interaction of the coupling element 112 with its counterpart 120.

[0019] Referring now to Figure 8, the coupling element 112 may be used to prevent movement in the lock, and / or it may be used to transfer movement in the lock. Figure 8 illustrates the rotor 104 in the second position P2 that keeps the coupling element 112 in the coupled state CS. In a first embodiment, the coupling element 112 in the coupled state CS is coupled with the counterpart 120 such that movement of the coupling element 112 (and the arrangement in which it is assembled) is blocked. In the uncoupled state US, the coupling element 112 is not in connection with the counterpart 120 that allows movement of the coupling element 112. For example, Figure 8 illustrates a core 122 in which the arrangement 100 may be assembled and the core 122 may be configured to rotate around its longitudinal axis A2 when the lock is set to unlocked state, for example. In the coupled state of the coupling element CS rotational movement of the core 122 is prevented since the coupling element goes inside its counterpart 120 that may be a core body. The core may be arranged, at least partly, inside the core body, for example. The coupling element 112 in the coupled state may be in a slot of the core body 120_S that prevents rotational movement of the core since the core body may not rotate around axis A2 (is stationary). When the coupling element is not in the slot, in other words is in the uncoupled state, the rotational movement of the core is possible since the coupling element does not take contact to the core body anymore. The actuation element in the second positions of the rotor may keep the coupling element in the slot, and in the first position it allows moving of the coupling element out of the slot. Hence, the coupling element may be used as a locking pin for disabling rotational movement of the core (keeping the lock in the locked state) when the coupling element is in the coupled state, and for enabling rotational movement of the core (setting of the lock to the open state) when the coupling element is in the uncoupled state.

[0020] Still referring to Figure 8, in a second embodiment, the coupling element 112 in the coupled state CS is coupled with the counterpart 120 such that it enables transfer of rotational movement of the coupling element 112 to its counterpart 120, and in the uncoupled state US the coupling element 112 is not coupled with the counterpart 120 and then rotational movement of the coupling element 112 is not transferred to the counterpart 120. For example, Figure 8 illustrates the core 122 in which the arrangement 100 may be assembled and the core 122 may be configured to rotate around its longitudinal axis A2. In this embodiment, the core body 120 is configured to be rotated around its longitudinal axis A2 by the core 122. In the coupled state of the coupling element CS (the second position of the rotor) rotational movement of the core 122 is transferred to the core body 120 since the coupling element 112 is inside the slot of the core body 120_S and the actuation element 106 keeps the coupling element in the coupled state CS as illustrated in Figure 8 since the coupling element 112 cannot move towards the rotor 104. Then the coupling element connects the core and the core body together enabling transferring of movement between them. When the coupling element is not in the slot, in other words, is in the uncoupled state (the first position of the rotor), rotational movement of the core is not transferred to the core body since the coupling element does not take contact with the core body. Hence, the coupling element may be used as a coupling pin for enabling transferring of rotational movement from the core to the core body (setting of the lock to the open state) when the coupling element is in the coupled state, and for disabling transferring of rotational movement from the core to the core body (keeping the lock in the locked state) when the coupling element is in the uncoupled state.

[0021] In an embodiment, the rotation axis of the rotor A1 is substantially perpendicularly arranged in relation to the rotation axis of the core A2 as illustrated in Figures 6 and 8. Or at least the rotation axes are not parallel in the arrangement. When the rotation directions are not parallel, rotating of the rotor by applying an external force is very difficult, especially if the axes are substantially perpendicular in relation to each other.

[0022] In an embodiment, the rotor comprises two movable magnets arranged on the opposite sides (halves) of the rotor such that opposite poles of the movable magnets are arranged to point away from the rotor. The poles that are pointing away from the rotor is configured to interact with the one or more stationary magnet. The arrangement may further comprise two stationary magnets that may be arranged such that a first stationary magnet may interact with a first movable magnet and a second stationary magnet may interact with a first movable magnet. Switching the polarity of the stationary magnets turn the rotor with the movable magnets between the first and the second positions. This embodiment is not illustrated in Figures.

[0023] Referring to Figure 1, in an embodiment, the rotor 102 with the movable magnet 104 is physically contactless with the stationary magnet 108 at least in the first and the second position P1, P2. As described above, the rotor may be arranged to rotate freely in the arrangement and this rotational movement may not be limited by the stationary magnet(s). Also, the rotor (with the movable magnet) may not be in physical contact with the stationary magnet. The term "physically contactless" means that there is an air gap between the movable and the stationary magnet (and / or the rotor and the stationary magnet) at least in the first and the second positions of the rotor. Still, the movable and stationary magnets are arranged such that they can interact, in other words, their magnetic fields at least partly overlap. In an embodiment, the movable magnet is physically contactless with the stationary magnet in any situation. Hence, the movable and stationary magnets and / or the rotor and stationary magnet are not in contact at all in the arrangement. The gap improves security of the lock arrangement. For example, if the lock is tried to open violently by hitting the lock, force caused by hitting is not (directly) transferred from the stationary magnet to the movable magnet and / or the rotor. Then the position of the rotor cannot be easily manipulated, for example, by applying external force to the lock. In other words, the position of the rotor is very difficult to manipulate by hitting the lock, for example. Due to the structure of the invention, impulses of the hits are not transferred to the rotor such that its position can be (easily) changed since the rotor (its circumference) is not in contact with the stationary magnet, or any other parts.

[0024] Still referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, in an embodiment, the actuation element 106 is a slot S within the rotor 102 and is aligned with the coupling element 112 in the first position of the rotor P1 for enabling moving of the coupling element 112 towards the rotor 102. The slot may be arranged on an outer surface of the rotor that is towards the coupling element. The coupling element may comprise a protrusion that is configured to enter the slot when the slot and the protrusion are aligned in the first position of the rotor. For example, the protrusion may be within the first end of the coupling member. Aligning of the slot and protrusion allows moving of the coupling element in the first direction D1 towards the rotor such that the coupling element moves away from its counterpart to the uncoupled state as illustrated in Figure 3. The coupling element may also move away from the rotor and the slot towards its counterpart in the direction D1 such that the coupling element is again coupled with its counterpart. Then the coupling element goes again into the coupled state with the counterpart as illustrated in Figure 1.

[0025] Referring now to Figure 4 and 5, in an embodiment, the actuation element 106 is a protrusion P within the rotor 102 and is aligned with the coupling element 112 in the second position of the rotor P2 for limiting (or preventing) moving of the coupling element 112 towards the rotor 102. The protrusion may be arranged within the outer surface of the rotor, and it may extend towards the coupling element in the second position of the rotor such that when aligned with the coupling member, it can block, at least partly, moving of the coupling element towards the rotor. As described above, the coupling element may also comprise the protrusion, for example, within the first end. Hence, in the second position of the rotor P2 the actuation element 106 is aligned with the coupling element 112 meaning that the protrusion in the actuation element P is aligned with the protrusion of the coupling element 120_E1 as illustrated in Figure 4. Then the protrusion in the actuation element limits (prevents) moving of the coupling element towards the rotor and to the uncoupled state and keeps the coupling element in the coupled state. In the first position of the rotor P1, the protrusion is positioned such that it is not aligned with the coupling element 112 allowing moving of the coupling element 112 towards the rotor 102 in the first direction D1 to set the coupling element 112 to the uncoupled state as illustrated in Figure 5.

[0026] Referring to Figure 6, in an embodiment, the coupling element 112 is configured to move substantially perpendicularly in relation to the rotation axis of the rotor A1. Hence, when the coupling element 112 moves between the coupled and uncoupled states CS, US in the first direction D1, it moves perpendicularly in relation to the rotation axis of the rotor A1.

[0027] Referring to Figures 7A and 7B, in an embodiment, the coupling element 112 is configured to move parallelly with the rotation axis of the rotor A1. Then the coupling element 112 may move in a second direction D2 that is perpendicular to the first direction D1. Hence, when the coupling element 112 moves between the coupled and uncoupled states CS, US in the second direction D2, it moves parallelly in relation to the rotation axis of the rotor A1.

[0028] Referring to Figure 1 and 6, in an embodiment a shape of the rotor 102 is substantially circular. The shape may be a circular disc (cylinder), for example. The actuation element may be arranged in an outer curved surface of the circular rotor. The actuation element may be the slot or protrusion arranged on the curved outer surface of the rotor as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, for example. The shape of the rotor may also be rectangle, oval or square, for example. Whatever the shape is, the same functional principles of the invention are still valid.

[0029] In an embodiment, the movable and / or the stationary magnet is diametrically (radially) magnetized. In another embodiment, the movable and the stationary magnet is axially magnetized. In further embodiment, the movable magnet is diametrically magnetized, and the stationary magnet is axially magnetized.

[0030] Referring to Figure 9A, in an embodiment a shape of the movable and / or the stationary magnet 104, 108 is substantially circular (cylinder / disk). The movable and / or the stationary magnet may be diametrically (radially) magnetized such that they may be divided in a diameter direction into two halves (segments) in which the segments have different polarity as illustrated in Figure 9A, for example. Then the magnetic fields of the magnets may be radial.

[0031] Referring to Figures 6 and 9A, in an embodiment, the rotor 102 and / or the movable magnet 104 is at least partly hollow. In other words, there may be an open hollow space in the movable magnet and / or the rotor. The movable magnet may be circular ring (hollow cylinder) as illustrated in Figure 9A, for example. The movable magnet may be arranged within the rotor such that its centreline is aligned with the rotation axis of the rotor, in other words, the rotor and the movable magnet may have the same middle axis.

[0032] Still referring to Figures 6 and 9A, in an embodiment the stationary magnet 108 is arranged substantially inside the movable magnet 104 when assembled in the arrangement. The stationary magnet may be arranged in the hollow space of the movable magnet. The coil may also be inside the movable magnet or at least nearby the stationary magnet. As described above, the shape of the movable magnet may be the hollow cylinder and the stationary magnet, with or without the coil, may be arranged within the hollow space of the movable magnet. The first and the second magnets may not be in physical contact in the arrangement.

[0033] In an embodiment, the stationary magnet with the coil is mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). The rotor may be arranged near by the PCB such that the stationary magnet may stay, at least partly, inside the movable magnet and the rotor can rotate about its rotation axis. As described, still there may not be a physical contact between the movable and the stationary magnets and / or the rotor and the stationary magnet.

[0034] Referring to Figures 11A and 11B, in an embodiment, the at least one stationary magnet 108 with the coil 110 is arranged (integrated) inside the printed circuit board 114. The arranged inside the PCB refers to so called PCB coil in which the coil is produced directly on inner layers of the PCB by using copper strips (wire / line) to form the coiled structure, for example. The shape of the coil may be spiral, for example. The stationary magnet(s) may also be arranged on the inner layers of the PCB in the vicinity of the coil such that coil can change the polarity of the magnet. For example, the stationary magnet may be arranged inside the spiral PCB coil. When the stationary magnet and coil are inside the PCB, they may not extend above the surface of the PCB. Then the rotor may be arranged very close to the PCB even on both sides of the PCB.

[0035] Referring to Figures 9B, 11A and 11B, in an embodiment, the arrangement 100 comprises at least two stationary magnets 108A, 108B with the coils 110A, 110B. The stationary magnets may be axially magnetized having two opposite poles / ends with different polarity, and the movable magnet may be diametrically magnetized having two halves (poles) with different polarity as illustrated in Figure 9B. First poles of the stationary magnets may be arranged to interact with the movable magnet and these poles have the different polarity. The first stationary magnet 108A may be arranged to interact with a first pole (half) of the movable magnet 104_P1, and the second stationary magnet 108B may be arranged to interact with a second pole (half) of the movable magnet 104_P2, for example. Then switching of the polarity of the stationary magnets turn the movable magnet and rotor between the first and the second positions.

[0036] Still referring to Figures 9B, 11A and 11B, in the first magnetization configuration MC1 a first pole of the first stationary magnet 108A_P1 may be south S and the first pole of the second stationary magnet 108B_P1 may be north N, and in the second magnetization configuration MC2 the first pole of the first stationary magnet 108A_P1 may be north N and the first pole of the second stationary magnet 108B_P1 may be south S. Then in the first magnetization configuration MC1 the first pole of the first stationary magnets 108A_P1 attracts the first half of the movable magnet 104_P1 having the north pole N and the first pole of the second stationary magnet 108B_P1 attracts the second half of the movable magnet 104_P2 having the south pole S, and the movable magnet 104 with the rotor 102 may be in the first position P1 as illustrated in Figures 11A and 11B.

[0037] In the second magnetization configuration MC2 polarities of both stationary magnets are switched to the other way around compared to the first magnetization configuration, and then the first pole of the first stationary magnet 108A_P1 is north N, and it attracts the second half of the movable magnet 104_P2 having the south pole S. The first pole of the second stationary magnet 108A_P2 is then south S, and it attracts the first half of the movable magnet 104_P1 having the north pole N. Hence, by switching of the magnetization configuration from the first to second, the movable magnet 104 with the rotor 102 is turned from the first to second position as illustrated in Figure 12A and 12B. By switching the magnetization configuration from the second to first, the movable magnet with the rotor is turned back to the first position P1 as illustrated in Figure 11A and 11B. Hence, switching the polarities of the poles of the stationary magnets by the coils, the movable magnet can be turned that moves also the rotor between the first and the second positions.

[0038] Referring to Figures 13A and 13B, in an embodiment, the arrangement 100 comprises two rotors 102A - B arranged side by side and the at least one stationary magnet 108 with the coil 110 is arranged between them. For example, the arrangement may comprise the PCB and the stationary magnet with the coil may be arranged on the PCB. As described above, the at least one stationary magnet with the coils may also be arranged inside the PCB. Then the PCB may be arranged substantially between the rotors as illustrated in Figure 13A and 13B, for example. Each rotor may comprise the movable magnet and the actuation element.

[0039] Still referring to Figure 13A and 13B, in an embodiment, the arrangement may comprise the first and second stationary magnets 108A, 108B as described above having the axial magnetization. The first pole of the first stationary magnet 108A_P1 (S) is arranged to interact with the first pole of the first movable magnet 104A_P1 (N), and the first pole of the second stationary magnet 108B_P1 (N) is arranged to interact with the second pole of the first movable magnet 104A_P2 (S). The second pole of the first stationary magnet 108A_P2 (N) is arranged to interact with the first pole of the second movable magnet 104B_P1 (S), and the second pole of the second stationary magnet 108B_P2 (S) is arranged to interact with the second pole of the second movable magnet 104B_P2 (N). Then polarity of the first and second movable magnets within the rotors are opposite as illustrated in Figures 13A and 13B, for example. Changing of the magnetization configurations between the first and second, the polarities of the stationary magnets are switched that turns the movable magnets with the rotors between the first and the second positions as described above in this application. With two rotors having one or more stationary magnets between them, very reliable structure against external tampering may be achieved. For example, turning of the two rotors by a magnet from outside of the lock is very difficult.

[0040] In an embodiment, the arrangement comprises more than two stationary magnets with coil(s). In the case of more than two stationary magnets with the coil, the above-described principles are still valid to turn the movable magnet(s) with the rotor(s) between at least the first and the second positions. Using of two or more stationary magnets between the rotors makes it difficult to manipulate the magnetic fields and tampering of the lock is very difficult.

[0041] Referring to Figure 2, in an embodiment the coupling element 112 comprises one or more elastic elements 116 for moving the coupling element 112 away from the rotor 112. The elastic element 116 may move the coupling element 112 towards its counterpart in the direction D1, in other words, towards the coupled state CS. The elastic member is also configured to compress allowing moving of the coupling element towards the rotor as well. The compressed elastic element tries to return its uncompressed state, and this moves the coupling element towards the coupled state. In an embodiment, the elastic member comprises a spring like a coil spring, for example. As described above, the counterpart of the coupling element may comprise the slot for receiving the coupling element in the coupled state. For example, rotational movement between the counterpart and the coupling element may move the coupling element out of the slot from the coupled state to the uncoupled state if the actuation element allows it. So, the counterpart and / or the coupling element may move in relation to each other. One edge / side of the slot in the counterpart and / or one edge / side of part of the coupling element that goes inside the slot may be chamfered, for example. Chamfering enables sliding of the coupling element out of the slot when the counterpart and the coupling element rotate in relation to each other. Then, for example, rotational movement of the coupling element in relation to the counterpart causes sliding of the coupling element out of the slot if the actuation element is in the right position. When the coupling element slides out of the slot, the arrangement in which the coupling member is assembled can rotate in relation to the counterpart of the coupling member (see the locking and coupling pin examples above).

[0042] In an embodiment, the rotor 102 is the movable magnet 104. Then rotor may be made of magnet (magnetic material), for example. In this embodiment, the separate movable magnet within the rotor may not be needed since the rotor itself is the magnet.

[0043] In an embodiment, the movable magnet 104 is a hard magnet, and the stationary magnet 108 is a semihard magnet. The electrically powered magnetization coil 110 may be positioned adjacent to the stationary permanent semi-hard magnet. The term "permanent" means that the magnets are made from a material that is magnetized and creates its own persistent magnetic field.

[0044] 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. Magnetically "semi-hard" materials include alloys whose coercivity is between the "soft" magnetic materials and "hard" magnetic materials.

[0045] In an embodiment, the movable permanent magnet is made of "magnetically" hard material. The movable permanent magnet 100 may be an SmCo (samarium-cobalt alloy) magnet, whose coercivity is 40-2800 kA / m, for example. In an embodiment, the stationary permanent semi-hard magnet is an AINiCo (aluminium-nickel-cobalt alloy) magnet, whose coercivity is 30-150 kA / m, for example.

[0046] Note that according to some classifications, the AINiCo magnet is counted as a hard magnet, but in this application, the semi-hard magnet is such magnet that is not too soft, so that it easily becomes demagnetized, but not too hard either, so that its polarity may be reversed with the electrically powered magnetization coil using an appropriate energy.

[0047] The electrically powered magnetization coil switches the polarity of the one or more stationary permanent semi-hard magnets between the first magnetization configuration and a second magnetization configuration. In an embodiment, the electrically powered magnetization coil operates so that a flow of electricity in one direction causes the first magnetization configuration, and a flow of the electricity in an opposite direction causes the second magnetization configuration. 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. The magnetizer may be operated under the control of the processing circuitry, for example.

[0048] In an embodiment, a single electric pulse having a flow of electricity in one direction causes the first magnetization configuration, and a single electric pulse having a flow of the electricity in an opposite direction causes the second magnetization configuration. In an embodiment, a plurality of consecutive electric pulses having a flow of electricity in one direction causes the first magnetization configuration, and a plurality of consecutive electric pulses having a flow of the electricity in an opposite direction causes the second magnetization configuration. By having two or more magnetization pulses, the resulting magnetic field of the stationary permanent semi-hard magnet becomes stronger than with a single magnetization pulse.

[0049] In an embodiment, the electrically powered magnetization coil consists of a single coil. In an embodiment, the electrically powered magnetization coil comprises a plurality of coils. For example, besides a main coil, an additional shorter coil is wound around the main coil. The additional coil first generates an initial magnetization pulse, followed by a main magnetization pulse generated by the main coil.

[0050] Referring to Figure 10A and 10B, in an embodiment the rotor 102 in the second position P2 is turned from the first position P1 less than 180 degrees. Figure 10A illustrates a middle axis (radial) of the rotor in the first position P1_MA, and Figure 10B illustrates the middle axis of the rotor in the second position P2_MA. The actuation element is on the middle axis. An angle α between the middle axis of the first and the second position is less than 180 degrees when the rotor is turned around its rotation axis. The angle may be between 100 - 140 degrees, preferably 120 degrees, for example. Then the actuation element may be turned about 120 degrees when the rotor moves between the first and second positions, for example.

[0051] Referring to Figure 6, in an embodiment, the rotor 102 comprises a middle axle 118, and the rotor is arranged to rotate freely around the middle axis. Hence, the rotor is physically connected only with the middle axle in the arrangement. The rotor is a floating structure on the axle that can be turned by the stationary magnet. As described above, the stationary magnet may not be in contact with the rotor or its features at all in the arrangement. Furthermore, the rotor may not be in physical contact with any other component than its middle axle in the arrangement. This reduces risk of manipulating the position of the rotor violently like by applying external force for the lock. There may be one axle that may go through the rotor, or the rotor may be coupled with the axle from one side such that the axle does not go through. Instead of one axle, there may be two axles such that a first is coupled with a first side of the rotor and another axle with a second side of the rotor.

[0052] It is important to realize that presented examples of the polarities N - S, N - S may also be the other way around S - N, N - S.

[0053] The above-described invention provides a structure that is difficult to manipulate and provides improved security for the electromechanical lock. Especially when the rotor is made of ferromagnetic material and the movable and / or the stationary magnet is / are, at least partly, inside the rotating rotor in the arrangement. Then the ferromagnetic rotor covers and protects the magnets, and it is very difficult to affect the position of the rotating rotor from outside of the arrangement by applying the external magnetic field, for example. The ferromagnetic material receives the external magnetic field and interacts with it such that the influence of the external magnetic field may not be directed to the movable and / or the stationary magnet, in other words the external magnetic field may not affect the movable and / or the stationary magnets so much, or at all. Therefore, the ferromagnetism in the rotor protects the magnets in the arrangement. Furthermore, the rotor may be arranged such that its rotation axis is perpendicular in relation to the rotation axis of the lock core (Figures 6 and 8). When the rotation axes are about in 90 degrees angle in relation to each other, rotating of the rotor, for example, by applying the external force (by hitting) is very difficult. The above-described structure further enables low power consumption when operated that is very essential especially with the self-powered locks. The self-powered lock refers to the lock that does not require batteries or other power sources. The operating power may be harvested or generated by movements of the lock, for example.

[0054] As used in this application, the term 'circuitry' refers to all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations, such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry, and (b) combinations of circuits and software (and / or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of processor(s) or (ii) portions of processor(s) / software including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus to perform various functions, and (c) circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of 'circuitry' applies to all uses of this term in this application. As a further example, as used in this application, the term 'circuitry' would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The techniques described herein may be implemented by various means. For example, these techniques may be implemented in hardware (one or more devices), firmware (one or more devices), software (one or more modules), or combinations thereof. For a hardware implementation, the apparatus(es) of embodiments may be implemented within one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), graphics processing units (GPUs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or a combination thereof. For firmware or software, the implementation can be carried out through modules of at least one chipset (e.g. procedures, functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein. The software codes may be stored in a memory unit and executed by processors. The memory unit may be implemented within the processor or externally to the processor. In the latter case, it can be communicatively coupled to the processor via various means, as is known in the art. Additionally, the components of the systems described herein may be rearranged and / or complemented by additional components in order to facilitate the achievements of the various aspects, etc., described with regard thereto, and they are not limited to the precise configurations set forth in the given figures, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art.

[0055] 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. An arrangement of an electromechanical lock (100), comprising: a rotor (102) comprising at least one movable magnet (104) and at least one actuation element (106); at least one stationary magnet (108) with a coil (110), wherein the coil (110) is configured, under control of a processing circuitry (122), to change a polarity of the stationary magnet (108) between a first and a second magnetization configuration (MC1, MC2), wherein the first magnetization configuration (MC1) is configured to turn the movable magnet (104) with the rotor (102) to a first position (P1), and the second magnetization configuration (MC2) is configured to turn the movable magnet (104) with the rotor (102) to a second position (P2), and a coupling element (112), wherein in the first position of the rotor (P1) the actuation element (106) is positioned to enable moving of the coupling element (112) towards the rotor (102) to set the coupling element (112) to an uncoupled state (US), and in the second position of the rotor (P2) the actuation element (106) is positioned to limit moving of the coupling element (112) towards the rotor (102) such that the coupling element (112) stays in a coupled state (CS).

2. The arrangement (100) of claim 1, wherein the rotor (102) with the movable magnet (104) is physically contactless with the stationary magnet (108) at least in the first and the second position (P1, P2).

3. The arrangement (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the actuation element (106) is a slot (S) within the rotor (102) for receiving the coupling element (112) and is aligned with the coupling element (112) in the first position of the rotor (P1) for enabling moving of the coupling element (112) towards the rotor (102).

4. The arrangement (100) of any of claims 1 - 2, wherein actuation element (106) is a protrusion (P) within the rotor (102) for receiving the coupling element (112) and is aligned with the coupling element (112) in the second position of the rotor (P2) for blocking, at least partly, moving of the coupling element (112) towards the rotor (102).

5. The arrangement (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the coupling element (112) is configured to move perpendicularly and / or parallelly in relation to the rotation axis of the rotor (A1).

6. The arrangement (100) of any preceding claim, wherein a shape of the rotor (102) is substantially circular disk.

7. The arrangement (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the rotor and / or the movable magnet (104) comprise a hollow space.

8. The arrangement (100) of claim 7, wherein the stationary magnet (108) is arranged substantially inside the hollow space.

9. The arrangement (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the arrangement comprises two rotors (102A - B) arranged side by side and the stationary magnet (108) is arranged between them.

10. The arrangement (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the arrangement (100) further comprises a printed circuit board (114), wherein the at least one stationary magnet (108) with the coil (110) is arranged inside the printed circuit board (114).

11. The arrangement (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the coupling element (112) comprises an elastic element (116) for moving the coupling element (112) away from the rotor (112).

12. The arrangement (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the rotor (102) is the movable magnet (104).

13. The arrangement (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the movable magnet (104) is a hard magnet, and the stationary magnet (108) is a semihard magnet.

14. The arrangement (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the rotor (102) in the second position (P2) is turned from the first position (P1) less than 180 degrees.

15. The arrangement (100) of any preceding claim, wherein the rotor (102) comprises a middle axle (118), and the rotor is arranged to rotate freely around the middle axle (118).

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