An electric door lock unit comprising a reversible dual-bevel latch

Abstract

The invention relates to an electric door lock unit (1) comprising - a casing (10), - a reversible dual-bevel latch (20), - a latch retainer (30) configured to retain the latch (20) in a first and a and second angular orientation (20A, 20B), the latch retainer (30) being movably held in the casing (10) such that the latch (20) is movable between a retracted position (20r) and an extended position (20e) with respect to the casing (10), and - an electric actuator unit (40), wherein the latch (20) comprises a latch distal portion (20d) comprising two opposing bevelled faces (22a, 22b) and a latch proximal portion (20p) configured to be retained by the latch retainer (30), the latch retainer (30) comprises a retainer interface (32) configured to retain the latch proximal portion (20p), and the latch proximal portion (20p) of the latch (20) and the retainer interface (32) of the retainer (30) are configured such that the latch (20) may be selectively retained in the first and second angular orientation (20A, 20B).

Description

CO-PENDING RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present Swedish patent application is filed concurrently with the following related Swedish patent applications by the same applicant. The features of these patent applications are to be considered incorporated by reference into each other. The related patent applications, including the present one, are titled: SE2451036-4: An electric door lock unit comprising a reversible dual-bevel latch SE2451037-2: An electric door lock unit comprising a four-bar linkage SE2451038-0: An electric door lock unit with switchable power-to-open and power-to-lock function SE2451039-8: A door lock unit configured to block a latch when a bolt is extended TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention generally pertains to door lock units, and more precisely to an electric door lock unit that comprises a reversible dual-bevel latch. The electric door lock unit may typically be adapted for installation in a door leaf.BACKGROUND

[0003] Door lock units have a vast range of applications, such as at hotels, hospitals, offices, or the like. For certain applications, electric door lock units, for example solenoid or motor locks, are particularly popular. A common type of electric door lock units is activated, e.g. locked or unlocked, by means of a magnetic card, a mobile phone, an RFID tag, a security system, or the like. In other applications, the door lock unit may be operated manually, i.e. without a solenoid or the like.

[0004] Even though today's door lock units generally function satisfactorily, there is still room for improvement in terms of security, durability, ease of installation, and cost.SUMMARY

[0005] A general object of the invention is to meet the challenges mentioned above. In particular, an object is to facilitate installation and keep costs down by providing a door lock unit that is highly adaptable to various applications, such as both left-hand and right-hand opened doors. Preferably, the invention of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanical mechanism that is compact, robust, reliable, and easy to manufacture and assemble. In particular, the number of components, especially moving components, is intended to be reduced. Compact mechanical mechanisms are particularly beneficial in modern electric door units, where space is needed for electric and electronic equipment.

[0006] In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided an electric door lock unit for installation in a door leaf. The electric door lock unit is typically to interact with a strike plate of a door frame. The door lock unit comprises a casing, a reversible dual-bevel latch, which is configured to be selectively repositionable between a first angular orientation and a second angular orientation for interaction with the strike plate in two opposite operational directions of the door blade, and a latch retainer which is configured to retain the latch in its first and second angular orientations. The latch retainer is movably held in the casing such that the latch is movable between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the casing. The electric door lock unit further comprises an electric actuator unit configured to block and / or unblock the latch in its extended position. The latch comprises a latch distal portion comprising two opposing bevelled faces, and a latch proximal portion configured to be retained by the latch retainer. The latch retainer comprises a retainer interface configured to retain the latch proximal portion, and the latch proximal portion of the latch and the retainer interface of the retainer are configured such that the latch may be selectively retained in the first angular orientation and in the second angular orientation.

[0007] Advantages involve ensured compact, robust, reliable design, and that the electric door lock unit allows for operation in two opposite operational directions of the door blade. The electric door lock unit may be used in both left-hand and right-hand opened doors, with no need to set the electric door lock unit up for a left / right-hand door. Further, the electric door lock unit makes possible a door being opened and closed without a latch being retracted by means of a handle or an electric drive means, instead the reversible dual-bevel latch may be pushed in by a strike plate or the like both when the door is opened and closed. The electric door lock unit may be referred to as a bi-directional electric door lock unit. Further, the electric door lock unit and its latch and latch retainer are particularly suitable for doors that open and close automatically, operated by door openers.

[0008] The latch and the latch retainer may be applicable to other kinds of lock units. Therefore, according to a general aspect, there is provided a reversible dual-bevel latch, which is configured to be selectively repositionable between a first angular orientation and a second angular orientation for interaction with a strike plate in two opposite operational, and a latch retainer which is configured to retain the latch in its first and second angular orientations. The latch comprises a latch distal portion comprising two opposing bevelled faces, and a latch proximal portion configured to be retained by the latch retainer. The latch retainer comprises a retainer interface configured to retain the latch proximal portion, and the latch proximal portion of the latch and the retainer interface of the retainer are configured such that the latch may be selectively retained in the first angular orientation and in the second angular orientation. The latch and latch retainer may form a latch assembly. The latch assembly may be referred to as a bi-directional latch assembly.

[0009] Further advantages and advantageous features of the invention are disclosed in the following description and in the dependent claims.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Below embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which figure 1shows a latch and a latch retainer, figure 2an exploded view of the latch and a latch retainer of figure 1, figures 3 to 5show the latch and latch retainer of figures 1 and 2, with the latch in various angular orientations with respect to the latch retainer, figures 6 and 7are detailed views of the latch of the preceding figures, figure 8is a detailed view of the latch retainer of figures 1 to 5, figure 9shows the latch and the latch retainer of the previous figures, together with a section of a faceplate and a cover plate of an electric door lock unit, figure 10is a complete view of the internal components of an electric door lock unit, showing also the latch and the latch retainer of the previous figures, figures 11 and 12illustrate an operation of the electric door lock unit of figure 10, in particular that the latch may be blocked in an extended position unless an auxiliary latch interacts with e.g. a strike plate, figures 13 and 14show the electric door lock unit of figures 10 to 12 in two perspective views, figures 15 and 16illustrate a door frame for a door leaf in which the electric door lock unit may be installed, figures 17 to 19show an alternative, two-part, latch, also shown in figures 11 and 12, that comprises a first latch part and a second latch part (see especially figure 19) and which may assume a folded state (figures 11, 12 and 17) and a spread state (figure 18), figures 20 and 21show an adjustable variant of the latch and the latch retainer, figures 22 to 24show, similarly to figures 3 to 5, the adjustable latch and latch retainer of figures 20 and 21 with the latch in various angular orientations with respect to the latch retainer, figure 25shows the adjustable variant of the latch and retainer of figures 20 to 24 with an adjustment screw in a first setting preventing the latch retainer from fully reaching an outer position, figure 26is a detailed view of the adjustable variant of the latch of figures 20 to 25, and figure 27is an exploded view of the adjustable latch and latch retainer of figures 20 to 26. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Referring initially to figures 10 to 16, there is shown an electric door lock unit 1 designed for installation in a door leaf 100 to interact with a strike plate 120 of a door frame 110. The electric door lock unit 1, or lock unit 1, comprises a reversible dual-bevel latch 20. A standard latch may be referred to as a single-bevel latch. Referring especially to figures 3 to 5, the reversible dual-bevel latch 20, or latch 20, is configured to be selectively repositionable between a first angular orientation 20A and a second angular orientation 20B, allowing it to interact with the strike plate 120 in two opposite operational directions of the door blade 100.

[0012] Referring to figures 1 to 9, the latch 20 includes a distal portion 20d with two opposing bevelled faces 22a, 22b and a proximal portion 20p configured to be retained by a latch retainer 30 within a casing 10 (denoted in figure 13) of the lock unit 1.

[0013] As is illustrated, the latch retainer 30 may retain, or hold, the latch 20 in its first and second angular orientations 20A, 20B. The latch retainer 30 is movably held within the casing 10 such that the latch 20 can move between a retracted, or inner, position 20r and an extended, or outer, position 20e relative to the casing 10, as is clear from figure 10. It is to be noted that the latch 20 may protrude from the casing, including its faceplate 12, even when in its retracted position 20r. Typically, in this position the latch may protrude a few millimetres, e.g. below 3 millimetres, from the faceplate 12.

[0014] The retainer interface 32 of the latch retainer 30 is configured to engage with the proximal portion 20p of the latch 20, allowing the latch 20 to be retained in the first and second angular orientations 20A, 20B.

[0015] The lock unit 1 also includes an electric actuator unit 40 that is configured to block and / or unblock the latch 20 when it is in its extended position 20e. In the present example, the electric actuator unit 40 is a solenoid. As is customary, the latch may be resiliently biased towards the extended position. The latch may be straight linearly movable between its retracted and extended positions.

[0016] As may be particularly clear from figures 1 and 2, the proximal portion 20p and the retainer interface 32 may be mutually shaped with respect to one another. They may be shaped such that the proximal portion 20p may be selectively retained in both angular orientations 20A, 20B. Thereby, the latch 20 may be securely held by the latch retainer 30 in both angular orientations 20A, 20B. There may be a form fit connection between the proximal portion 20p and the retainer interface 32.

[0017] The present latch proximal portion 20p comprises two opposing latch cam faces 24a, 24b arranged to engage the retainer interface 32, enabling the retainer 30 to securely hold the latch 20 in both angular orientations 20A, 20B. The latch cam faces may form part of a form fit connection.

[0018] Referring in particular to figures 6 and 7, the latch proximal portion 20p may comprise a latch cam 24 on which the latch cam faces 24a, 24b are arranged. The latch cam 24 and the latch distal portion 20d may extend in a direction Z across a longitudinal latch direction X. In the present example, the extension Hc of the latch cam 24 is less than the extension Hd of the latch distal portion 20d in the direction Z across the longitudinal latch direction X. In some embodiments, the extension Hc of the latch cam 24 is may be between 25 to 50 percent of the extension Hd of the latch distal portion 20d. The end of the latch cam 24 may be rounded. The radius of curvature may be above 1 mm, ensuring high reliability and longevity.

[0019] The latch proximal portion 20p may comprise a bearing feature 26, or bearing pin, that protrudes from the latch cam 24 in the direction Z across the longitudinal latch direction X. The bearing feature 26 may comprise a bearing face 26b, which is designed to bear against the retainer interface 32 when the latch 20 is positioned in either the first angular orientation 20A or the second angular orientation 20B. In the present example, the bearing face is semicircular in cross-section, as shown.

[0020] As illustrated, the bearing feature 26 may protrude from the latch distal portion 20d in the direction Z across the longitudinal latch direction X. When the latch 20 is repositioned between the angular orientations 20A, 20B, the latch cam faces 24a, 24b slide against the retainer interface 32, causing the retainer 30 to be temporarily pushed away from the latch 20. This may facilitate the latch being securely held in the retainer interface in the two angular orientations, yet allowing a repositioning there between.

[0021] As is shown, see in particular figure 8, the retainer interface 32 may comprise a retainer cam 34, which comprises two opposing retainer cam faces 34a, 34b that engage the latch cam faces 24a, 24b. The inclinations of the retainer cam faces 34a, 34b may be substantially the same as the inclinations of the latch cam faces 24a, 24b, ensuring proper alignment and secure engagement. Additionally, the retainer interface 32 may include first and second support faces 36a, 36b positioned on either side of the retainer cam 34. An inner end, or back, of the distal portion 20d may bear against the support faces 36a, 36b, see figures 1 and 2.

[0022] The latch 20 and / or the latch retainer 30 may comprise a magnet 38 for holding the latch 20 securely to the latch retainer 30, which may in particular facilitate handling. At least one of the support faces 36a, 36b may comprise a magnet 38 arranged to magnetically engage with the bearing feature 26 of the latch proximal portion 20p.

[0023] The latch 20 and the latch retainer 30 may be designed as one-piece components, simplifying the construction and assembly of the lock unit. The latch 20 may be manufactured by moulding, allowing for precise shaping and structural integrity, and low cost. Preferably, the mounding is metal injection moulding, MIM. The latch distal portion 20d and the latch proximal portion 20p may be of substantially the same length along the longitudinal latch direction X, with a length deviation of below 25 percent. Such dimensions may be beneficial for reliability and longevity when the respective portions 20d, 20p of the latch cooperate with a strike plate and the latch retainer.

[0024] The one-piece latch 20 and the latch retainer 30 further bring the advantages that, there is little risk of that dirt or other debris may accumulate and cause malfunction. The latch and latch retainer may form a two-piece latch assembly.

[0025] The latch 20 may be mirror-symmetric. As is indicated in figure 7, the latch 20 may be mirror-symmetric about two orthogonal planes A, B. Symmetry allows for flexibility in positioning and assembly.

[0026] The retainer interface 32 may comprise two separate sections 32A, 32B for retaining the latch 20, such that the latch 20 is positionable in two latch positions that are spaced apart along a longitudinal strike plate direction Z. As is recognised, there exist applications that require the latch to be positioned at different heights of a door leaf. The magnets that may be used to hold the latch to the latch retainer are advantageous also when it comes to arranging the latch in the respective latch position. Generally, the magnets facilitate handling the latch and latch retainer with one hand, which is beneficial during assembly.

[0027] The retainer interface 32 may comprise two separate retainer cams 34, one for each section 32A, 32B. There may be three support faces 36a, 36b,36c, with one of these faces 36b being positioned between the two retainer cams 34. Each of the support faces 36 may be equipped with a magnet 38. See e.g. figure 8.

[0028] The latch 20 and the latch retainer 30 are designed such that the latch 20 is not fixedly attached to the latch retainer 30. Again, the latch proximal portion 20p may include a bearing feature 26 that protrudes from the latch cam 24, and the electric door lock unit 1 may comprise a cover plate 50 that is releasably secured, typically screwed, to the casing 10, preventing the latch 20 from being removed from the latch retainer 30 by engaging the bearing feature 26. When the latch is to be removed, or exchanged, or moved between its sections 32A, 32B, the cover plate 50 may first be removed and then reattached. Thus, the latch 20 and the latch retainer 30 being designed such that the latch 20 is not fixedly attached to the latch retainer 30 means that the latch 20 is retained without any pivot pin, rotation shaft or similar.

[0029] The latch 20 may be configured as a two-part component comprising a first latch part 20' and a second latch part 20", see figures 17 to 19. The parts are configured such that they can assume a folded state and a spread state. Such a latch may be referred to as a tulip latch. As is shown, each latch part 20', 20" is designed with dual-bevels.

[0030] The latch parts 20', 20" may be resiliently biased towards the spread state, ensuring that they assume this position when the latch 20 is not clamped between the latch retainer 30 and the faceplate 12. Apart from any design made for receiving an attachment element, in the present case a screw or bolt that requires threads, the two parts 20', 20" may be of the same shape which is beneficial from a cost perspective. Any threads may be formed after manufacture, typically be mounding (preferably MIM). The two-part latch may be beneficial e.g. since it may ensure that a door blade is closed without any play.

[0031] As is to be appreciated, the lock unit 1 with the reversible dual-bevel latch 20 is configured such that when the latch 20 is in the first angular orientation 20A, the first bevelled face 22a is arranged to bear against the strike plate 120 to hinder movement of the door leaf 100. Simultaneously, the second bevelled face 22b is arranged to slide against the strike plate 120, causing the latch 20 and the latch retainer 30 to be pushed into the casing 10, allowing the door leaf 100 to move freely. Similarly, when the latch 20 is in the second angular orientation 20B, the second bevelled face 22b is arranged to bear against the strike plate 120 to hinder movement of the door leaf 100, and the first bevelled face 22a is arranged to slide against the strike plate 120 to push the latch 20 and the latch retainer 30, allowing the door leaf 100 to move freely.

[0032] The reversible dual-bevel latch 20 may come to use in a mortise lock (or mortice lock), as shown. The reversible dual-bevel latch 20 may be referred to as a mortise latch, or a reversible mortise latch, or a reversible dual-bevel mortise latch. In all examples, the latch may be termed latch bolt or spring latch bolt.

[0033] In use, the lock unit 1 is typically oriented as shown e.g. in figures 10 and 15. There may be a lower hub, or latch hub, that is rotationally journaled in the lock unit 1 and arranged to move the latch 20, the latch hub optionally being connected to a door handle or an undepicted doorknob. Further, there may be an upper hub, or bolt hub, that is rotationally journaled in the lock unit and arranged to move the latch 20, the bolt hub optionally being connected to e.g. an undepicted emergency handle, an undepicted electric actuator, or an undepicted key cylinder.

[0034] Figures 20 to 27 show an alternative variant of the latch 20 and latch retainer 30, referred to as an adjustable variant. The adjustable variant comprises a retainer 30 with a latch interface 32 having one single section only. Thus, the latch 20 is not positionable in two latch positions spaced apart along the strike plate direction Z. It is to be apprehended that the adjustable variant may however be redesigned such that the latch interface provides two spaced apart latch positions, and that the adjustment feature of figures 20 to 27 may be implemented in the design of the previous figures.

[0035] As is clear from a comparison of figures 26 and 6, the latch 20 of the adjustable variant is similar to the initially disclosed latch 20 (figure 6). One difference being that the latch cam 24 of figure 26 is off-centre, while the latch cam of figure 6 is centrally positioned on the latch proximal portion 20p. In other words, in figure 6 the latch cam 24 extends centrally, seen along axis Z, from the latch distal portion 20d while in figure 26 the latch cam 24 extends from an end (here lower) of the latch distal portion 20d. The latch 20 of the adjustable variant is mirror-symmetric about one plane only. The latch 20 of the adjustable variant may, as shown, not comprise any magnet even though one or more magnets may be incorporated to facilitate handling.

[0036] Similar to the above disclosure, in the adjustable variant the latch retainer 30 may retain the latch 20 in its first and second angular orientations 20A, 20B. The latch retainer 30 is movably held within the casing 10 such that the latch 20 can move between a retracted, or inner, position 20r and an extended, or outer, position 20e relative to the casing 10.

[0037] The retainer interface 32 of the latch retainer 30 is configured to engage with the proximal portion 20p of the latch 20, allowing the latch 20 to be retained in the first and second angular orientations 20A, 20B, respectively. The proximal portion 20p and the retainer interface 32 may be mutually shaped with respect to one another, such that the proximal portion 20p may be selectively retained in both angular orientations 20A, 20B. Thereby, the latch 20 may be securely held by the latch retainer 30 in a form fit in both angular orientations 20A, 20B.

[0038] The present latch proximal portion 20p comprises two opposing latch cam faces 24a, 24b arranged to engage two opposing retainer cam faces 34a, 34b of the retainer interface 32, enabling the retainer 30 to securely hold the latch 20 in a form fit in both angular orientations 20A, 20B.

[0039] Now, the adjustable variant of the latch retainer 30 comprises an adjustment screw 35, see in particular figure 27. Depending on a selectable setting of the adjustment screw 35, either the first latch cam face 24a is prevented from engaging the first retainer cam face 34a, or the second latch cam face 24b is prevented from engaging the second retainer cam face 34b.

[0040] Figure 25 illustrates the adjustment screw 35 in a setting that prevents the second latch cam face 24b from engaging the second retainer cam face 34b. In other words, the second latch cam face 24b cannot make contact with the second retainer cam face 34b. Since the adjustment screw 35 prevents the latch 20 from fully seating in the latch retainer, the latch 20 will protrude an additional distance d from the latch retainer 30. That is to say, the combined length of the latch retainer 30 and latch 20 along the longitudinal latch direction X is increased by the distance d.

[0041] Typically, as in the present examples, the electric door lock unit 1 may be configured to selectively prevent the latch 20 from moving to its retracted position 20r (figure 10). Typically, this is obtained by blocking the latch retainer 30, such that the latch 20 and the latch retainer 30 are prevented from being pushed into the casing 10.

[0042] As is best illustrated in figure 12, an interlock member 920 may be provided to selectively block the latch retainer 30 and thus the latch 20. A transmission assembly may be operatively arranged between the electric actuator 40 and the interlock member 920. In figure 12, the interlock member 920 is in a block position, in which the latch is blocked from movement, and in figure 11 the interlock member 920 is in a release position, in which the latch is not blocked from movement. For further details, reference is made to the co-pending Swedish (and European) patent application SE2451037-2 "An electric door lock unit comprising a four-bar linkage", where the interlock member is denoted reference number 20. It is to be noted that present figures 11 and 12 correspond to figures 2 and 4 in the cross-referenced document. For further details regarding the interlock member and mechanisms associated therewith, reference is thus made to SE2451037-2, the content of which is incorporated by reference.

[0043] As is apprehended e.g. from figures 10 to 12, the interlock member 920 is arranged to block the latch retainer 30 when the latter is in its outer or extended position. The interlock member 920 is arranged to block a bearing surface 39 (e.g. figures 8, 10 and 23) of the latch retainer 30. Thus, the interlock member 920 comprises a block surface or hook feature arranged to bear against the latch, or more precisely the latch retainer 30, to block the latter in its extended position. Next to the bearing surface 39 there may be provided an overtravel protection 39p for the interlock member, which is not disclosed for the alternative variant of the latch 20 and latch retainer 30. Now, if the combined length of the latch retainer 30 and latch 20 along the longitudinal latch direction X has been increased by means of the adjustment screw 35, the interlock member 920 is no longer capable of blocking the latch retainer 30 in its extended position. In other words, the adjustment screw 35 can be set such that the latch 20 cannot be prevented from being pushed into the casing 10.

[0044] Referring to figures 22 to 27, the present adjustment screw 35 extends laterally through the latch retainer 30. The adjustment screw 35 may, as is best shown in figure 27, comprise first and second recesses 35A, 35B arranged to receive the tip of the latch cam 24 such that it may fully seat in the latch retainer 30. When the adjustment screw 35 is rotationally set such that a recess 35A, 35B is not rotationally positioned to receive the latch cam 24, the latch 20 is prevented from fully seating in the latch retainer. The first and second recesses 35A, 35B are angularly and axially separated. In the present example, the recesses are angularly separated by approximately 180 degrees. In the present example, the first and second recesses 35A, 35B are axially separated such that one is positioned to receive the latch cam 24 when the first latch cam face 24a engages the first retainer cam face 34a while the other is positioned to receive the latch cam 24 when the second latch cam face 24b engages the second retainer cam face 34b.

[0045] The arrow in figure 25 illustrates how the adjustment screw 35 has been turned 180 degrees between its first and second settings. When the adjustment screw 35 is in the setting of figures 23 and 24, the latch 20 in its first angular orientation 20A may be fully seated in the latch retainer 30, and when the adjustment screw 35 is in the setting of figures 22 and 25, the latch 20 in its second angular orientation 20B may be fully seated in the latch retainer 30, and vice versa. The adjustment screw 35 may be detachably mounted in the latch retainer 30, such that it may be removed if it is not desirable to be able to prevent the latch 20 from fully seating in the latch retainer 30.

[0046] Also disclosed, see especially figure 27, is a locking mechanism 37, here in the form of a spring-loaded ball catch, arranged to keep the adjustment screw 35 in either of its two settable positions. The enlarged cross-section of the locking mechanism 37 illustrates how the locking mechanism may provide a force towards the adjustment screw 35 by means of an undepicted compression spring. The adjustment screw 35 comprises corresponding detents for receiving the rounded end (or "ball") of the locking mechanism 37. As is also shown, the present adjustment screw 35 comprises a marking indicating the setting of the adjustment screw 35.

[0047] The tip of the latch cam 24 may, as shown, comprise a cam recess 25 to facilitate a compact design and yet allow the adjustment screw 35 to have a screw head of sufficient size to allow effective engagement with a tool, here a flat-blade screwdriver, for adjusting the adjustment screw 35.

[0048] To summarise the function of the adjustment screw 35, door lock unit 1 may comprise an interlock member 920 that is movable between a block position, in which the latch retainer 30 and thus the latch 20 are blocked from movement, and a release position 20r, in which the latch retainer 30 and latch 20 are not blocked from movement. The interlock member 920, when in its block position (figure 12), is arranged to bear against a bearing surface 39 of the latch retainer 30 when the latch 20 is in its extended position 20e. The latch retainer 30 further comprises an adjustment screw 35 that is arranged to prevent the latch proximal portion 20p from fully seating in the retainer interface 32 either when the latch 20 is in its first angular orientation 20A or in its second angular orientation 20B, such that the adjustment screw 35 may be set to hinder the latch 20 from fully seating in the latch retainer 30 in one of said angular orientations 20A, 20B whereby the interlock member 920 is prevented from bearing against the bearing surface 39. The adjustment screw 35, as disclosed, act to increase the length of the latch retainer 30 and the latch 20 such that the interlock member 920 is not capable of blocking the latch retainer 30.

[0049] It is to be understood that the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings are non-limiting examples of the invention, and that the latter may be modified in many ways within the scope of the appended claims.

[0050] However, except for the schematic figures 15 and 16, the drawings do disclose a possible actual implementation and should not be regarded as simply serving to give a schematic explanation of the principles of the subject-matter of the invention.

[0051] Not all components of the electric door unit, shown in particular in figures 10 to 12, are described herein, still a skilled person will be able to clearly and unmistakable recognise from the drawings, including figures 10 to 12, how these components are designed and cooperate which is also further disclosed in SE2451037-2. Furthermore, the shapes of e.g. the latch and the latch retainer are not described in full detail herein, and additional features defining their shapes may be derived from in particular figures 1 to 9 and 17 to 26.

Claims

1. An electric door lock unit (1) for installation in a door leaf (100) to interact with a strike plate (120) of a door frame (110), the door lock unit (1) comprising - a casing (10), - a reversible dual-bevel latch (20), configured to be selectively repositionable between a first angular orientation (20A) and a second angular orientation (20B) for interaction with the strike plate (120) in two opposite operational directions of the door blade (100), - a latch retainer (30) configured to retain the latch (20) in its first and second angular orientations (20A, 20B), the latch retainer (30) being movably held in the casing (10) such that the latch (20) is movable between a retracted position (20r) and an extended position (20e) with respect to the casing (10), and - an electric actuator unit (40) configured to block and / or unblock the latch (20) in its extended position (20e), wherein the latch (20) comprises a latch distal portion (20d) comprising two opposing bevelled faces (22a, 22b) and a latch proximal portion (20p) configured to be retained by the latch retainer (30), the latch retainer (30) comprises a retainer interface (32) configured to retain the latch proximal portion (20p), and the latch proximal portion (20p) of the latch (20) and the retainer interface (32) of the retainer (30) are configured such that the latch (20) may be selectively retained in the first angular orientation (20A) and in the second angular orientation (20B).

2. The electric door lock unit (1) of claim 1, wherein the latch proximal portion (20p) of the latch (20) and the retainer interface (32) of the retainer are mutually shaped with respect to one another such that the retainer (30) may selectively retain the latch (20) in the first angular orientation (20A) and in the second angular orientation (20B).

3. The electric door lock unit (1) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the latch proximal portion (20p) of the latch (20) comprises two opposing latch cam faces (24a, 24b) arranged to engage the retainer interface (32) of the retainer, such that the retainer (30) may selectively retain the latch (20) in the first angular orientation (20A) and in the second angular orientation (20B).

4. The electric door lock unit (1) of claim 3, wherein the latch proximal portion (20p) of the latch (20) comprises a latch cam (24) on which the latch cam faces (24a, 24b) are arranged, the latch cam (24) and the latch distal portion (20d) extend in a direction (Z) across a longitudinal latch direction (X), and the extension (Hc) of the latch cam (24) is less than the extension (Hd) of the latch distal portion (20d) in the direction (Z) across the longitudinal latch direction (X).

5. The electric door lock unit (1) of claim 4, wherein the latch proximal portion (20p) comprises a bearing feature (26) that protrudes from the latch cam (24) in the direction (Z) across the longitudinal latch direction (X), the bearing feature (26) comprising a bearing face (26b) arranged to bear against the retainer interface (32) when the latch (20) is in the first angular orientation (20A) and in the second angular orientation (20B).

6. The electric door lock unit (1) of claim 5, wherein the bearing feature (26) protrudes from the latch distal portion (20d) in the direction (Z) across the longitudinal latch direction (X).

7. The electric door lock unit (1) according to any of claims 3 to 6, configured such that when the latch (20) is repositioned between the angular orientations (20A, 20B), the latch cam faces (24a, 24b) are arranged to slide against the retainer interface (32) to cause the retainer (30) to be temporarily pushed away from the latch (20).

8. The electric door lock unit (1) of claim 7, wherein the retainer interface (32) comprises a retainer cam (34) comprising two opposing retainer cam faces (34a, 34b), and the latch cam faces (24a, 24b) are arranged to engage the retainer cam faces (34a, 34b).

9. The electric door lock unit (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the latch (20) and / or the latch retainer (30) comprises a magnet (38) for holding the latch (20) to the latch retainer (30).

10. The electric door lock unit (1) of claim 3, wherein the latch proximal portion (20p) of the latch (20) comprises two opposing latch cam faces (24a, 24b) arranged to engage by means of sliding against the retainer interface (32) of the retainer, such that the retainer may selectively retain the latch (20) in the first angular orientation (20A) and in the second angular orientation (20B).

11. The electric door lock unit (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the retainer interface (32) comprises two separate sections (32A, 32B) for retaining the latch (20), such that the latch is positionable in two latch positions that are distanced from one another along a longitudinal strike plate direction (Z).

12. The electric door lock unit (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the latch (20) is not fixedly attached to the latch retainer (30).

13. The electric door lock unit (1) of any preceding claim, wherein the latch (20) comprises a first latch part (20') and a second latch part (20") and the latch (20) is configured such that the first and second parts may assume a folded state and a spread state.

14. The electric door lock unit (1) of any preceding claim, comprising an interlock member (920) that is movable between a block position, in which the latch retainer (30) and thus the latch (20) are blocked from movement, and a release position (20r), in which the latch retainer (30) and latch (20) are not blocked from movement, wherein the interlock member (920) when in its block position is arranged to bear against a bearing surface (39) of the latch retainer (30) when the latch (20) is in its extended position (20e), and wherein the latch retainer (30) further comprises an adjustment screw (35) that is arranged to prevent the latch proximal portion (20p) from fully seating in the retainer interface (32) either when the latch (20) is in its first angular orientation (20A) or in its second angular orientation (20B), such that the adjustment screw (35) may be set to hinder the latch (20) from fully seating in the latch retainer (30) in one of said angular orientations (20A, 20B) whereby the interlock member (920) is prevented from bearing against the bearing surface (39).

15. The electric door lock unit (1) of any preceding claim, configured such that, when the latch (20) is in the first angular orientation (20A), the first bevelled face (22a) is arranged to bear against the strike plate (120) to hinder movement of the door leaf (100), and the second bevelled face (22b) is arranged to slide against the strike plate (120) to cause the latch (20) and the latch retainer (30) to be pushed into the casing (10) to thereby not hinder movement of the door leaf (100), and when the latch (20) is in the second angular orientation (20B), the second bevelled face (22B) is arranged to bear against the strike plate (120) to hinder movement of the door leaf (100), and the first bevelled face (22A) is arranged to slide against the strike plate (120) to cause the latch (20) and the latch retainer (30) to be pushed into the casing (10) to thereby not hinder movement of the door leaf (100).

Images