Method for supplying an electronic cylinder of a lock

Abstract

This method of powering an electronic cylinder of a lock includes the following steps when a power transmission link is established with the electronic cylinder: - placing (352) a mobile phone equipped with a near-field transceiver within 20 cm of the key, and - converting (354) the electromagnetic radiation of the near-field transceiver into electrical energy by an auxiliary generator housed inside the key, and transmitting this electrical energy, as it is produced, to the electronic cylinder via the power transmission link to power the electronic cylinder.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for powering an electronic cylinder of a lock. It also relates to a key and an assembly for implementing this method.

[0002] Common access control systems include a master key and an electronic cylinder. For example, such a system is described in application EP3220362. In this system, the electronic cylinder is battery-powered. During normal operation, this battery powers both the electronic cylinder and the master key used to unlock it. When the battery fails, for example, because it is discharged, the electronic cylinder loses power and cannot be unlocked with the master key.

[0003] To unlock the electronic cylinder even if its battery is faulty, a backup power supply can be implemented. In the case of application EP3308104, this backup power supply involves inserting a special key into the electronic cylinder. This key is equipped with a blade and electrical contacts that establish a wired electrical connection with the cylinder. This special key also has a battery that powers the electronic cylinder. Furthermore, this special key can simultaneously transmit an access code to the electronic cylinder, allowing it to be unlocked.

[0004] However, this backup power supply isn't always practical. For example, if a user discovers they can't unlock the electronic cylinder with their main key because the battery is dead, they might not have the special key with them. They could therefore be temporarily unable to unlock the electronic cylinder. Furthermore, the special key uses a battery to power the electronic cylinder. This battery, even when not in use, naturally discharges over time. So, when the user needs to use the special key, its battery might be dead, making it temporarily impossible to unlock the cylinder again.

[0005] The state of the art is also known from: DE19918817C1, WO2022 / 225435A1 and EP2674552A1. The intermediate document WO2022 / 225435A1 describes an example of a method for powering an electronic cylinder from a mobile phone via a removable handle. WO2022 / 225435A1 Access rights are contained solely within the mobile phone.

[0006] The invention aims to address the problems of the backup power supply phase of the EP3308104 application.

[0007] The invention is described in the attached set of claims.

[0008] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the drawings in which: there figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a door equipped with an electronic cylinder; the figure 2 is a schematic, perspective illustration of an access control system including the cylinder of the figure 1 and a key; the figure 3is a schematic illustration, in vertical and longitudinal section, of the electronic cylinder of the figure 1 ; there figure 4 is a schematic illustration of an electronic circuit of the key of the figure 2 ; THE figures 5 and 6 are schematic illustrations, in partial cross-section, of the key to the figure 2 ; there figure 7 is a schematic illustration, in longitudinal and partial section, of the key to the figure 2 ; there figure 8 is a schematic, perspective illustration of an electrical power generator implemented in the key of the figure 2 ; THE figures 9 to 13 These are schematic illustrations, in vertical cross-section, of different operating states of the generator. figure 7 ; there figure 14 is a flowchart of a process for the operation of the system of the figure 2 .

[0009] In these figures, the same numerical references are used to designate the same elements. In the remainder of this description, the characteristics and functions well known to a person skilled in the art are not described in detail.

[0010] This description first presents detailed examples of embodiments in Chapter I, with reference to the figures. Then, in Chapter II, variations of these embodiments are presented. Finally, the advantages of the different embodiments are presented in Chapter III. Chapter I: Examples of Implementation Methods

[0011] There figure 1Figure 2 represents a door 2 providing access to a building. This door 2 has an interior side, typically located inside a room, and an exterior side on the opposite side. Hereafter, the terms "interior" and "exterior" refer to the interior and exterior sides of door 2, respectively. Door 2 extends in a vertical plane. The vertical direction is subsequently designated by the Z direction of an orthogonal coordinate system XYZ. The X direction is perpendicular to the vertical plane in which door 2 primarily extends. All figures representing an electronic lock are oriented with respect to this XYZ coordinate system.

[0012] Door 2 is equipped with a handle 4 and an electronic lock 6. To simplify the figure 1 , only part of gate 2 is shown.

[0013] The general mechanical architecture of lock 6 is, for example, identical to that described in applications FR3025236 and EP3431684. For this reason, only the details necessary for understanding the invention are given here. For further details, the reader is referred to those applications.

[0014] The lock 6 has a bolt 10 that can be moved in translation, parallel to the Y direction, alternately and reversibly between an extended and a retracted position. In the extended position, the bolt 10 protrudes beyond the edge of door 2 to engage in a strike plate fixed without any degree of freedom to the door frame 2. In the extended position, the bolt 10 locks door 2 in its closed position. In the retracted position, the bolt 10 is retracted inside door 2 and no longer protrudes beyond its edge. In the retracted position, door 2 can be moved by a user from a closed position to an open position by operating the handle 4.

[0015] The lock 6 also includes an electronic cylinder 12 and a screw 14 for fixing the cylinder 12 in the door 2.

[0016] Cylinder 12 can be moved between an unlocked position and, alternately, a locked position. In the unlocked position, it allows the opening of door 2 and therefore access to the building. In the locked position, it prevents the opening of door 2 and therefore access to the building. To achieve this, cylinder 12 moves the bolt 10 from its extended position to its retracted position when a key 16 ( figure 2 An authorized key, which unlocks lock 6, is inserted and then turned inside cylinder 12. Cylinder 12 also moves bolt 10 from its retracted position to its extended position when the authorized key is inserted and then turned in the opposite direction inside this cylinder. Conversely, when an unauthorized key is inserted into cylinder 12, this cylinder prevents bolt 10 from moving from its extended position to its retracted position.

[0017] Here, the key 16 can be inserted into the cylinder 12 from the outside and, alternately, from the inside of door 2. For this purpose, the cylinder 12 opens from each side of door 2.

[0018] The screw 14 has a head that is flush with the edge of the door 2. The threaded end of the screw 14 is screwed into the cylinder 12 to hold it in place inside the door 2.

[0019] Cylinder 12 lacks an internal power source. In particular, it lacks: of a battery capable of storing enough energy to allow the cylinder 12 to switch more than a hundred times between its unlocked and locked positions without external energy input, and of a mechanism capable of generating enough electricity to move the cylinder 12 into its unlocked position from, for example, the movement of the key inside the cylinder. Cylinder 12 is also not connected to an electricity distribution network.

[0020] There figure 2 represents in more detail the access control system implemented using lock 6 and key 16.

[0021] Here, the cylinder 12 conforms to the European format. The cylinder 12 extends along a longitudinal axis 20 parallel to the X direction. It has a stator 22 fixed without any degree of freedom to the door 2 by means of the screw 14 and a cam 24 housed inside a transverse notch 26.

[0022] The notch 26 extends in a transverse plane 28 parallel to the Y, Z directions. Here, only a part of the plane 28 is shown on the figure 2 Plane 28 is a plane of symmetry for the bit 24.

[0023] The cam 24 rotates counterclockwise around the axis 20 to move the bolt 10 from its extended position to its retracted position and in the opposite direction to move the bolt 10 from its retracted position to its extended position.

[0024] Plane 28 also divides stator 22 into two parts. The part of stator 22 located on the inner side of gate 2 is called the "inner half-stator" and is designated by reference numeral 30. The part of stator 22 located on the outer side of gate 2 is called the "outer half-stator" and is designated by reference numeral 32. In this particular embodiment, half-stators 30 and 32 are almost symmetrical to each other with respect to plane 28. Thus, only half-stator 32 is described in more detail hereafter.

[0025] The half-stator 32 has a front cover 34 parallel to plane 28 and directly exposed on the outside of the door 2. This front cover prevents direct access to the moving parts located inside the cylinder 12, thus protecting them against break-in attempts. This cover 34 has an opening 36 through it, designed to receive a blade 38 of the key 16. The opening 36 is centered on the axis 20. The opening 36 is shaped to allow the blade 38 to be inserted into the cylinder 12 by a translational movement along the axis 20. The axis 20 is therefore an axis for inserting the key 16 into the cylinder 12. The opening 36 is also shaped to allow the key 16, once inserted into the cylinder 12, to rotate about the axis 20.

[0026] Here, key 16 is an electronic key capable of transmitting an access code to cylinder 12 so that the latter, in response: allows unlocking of cylinder 12 if the access code received is a valid access code that allows the key to open door 2, and alternatively prohibits unlocking of cylinder 12 if the access code received is an invalid access code that does not allow the key to open door 2.

[0027] For this purpose, the key 16 includes a transceiver 40 capable of transmitting, via an electrical link, the access code to the cylinder 12.

[0028] The key 16 comprises a body 39 from which the blade 38 extends. The blade 38 is fixed without any degree of freedom to the body 39. The body 39 forms a means of gripping the key. Thus, the body 39 is shaped to be grasped by the user's fingers in order to insert the blade 38 into the orifice 36. The body 39 is also shaped to allow the user to rotate the blade 38, around the axis 20, inside the cylinder 12. The body 39 also forms a housing inside which an electronic circuit 120 is received ( Figure 4 ) of the key 16. The body 39 mechanically and electrically isolates the electronic circuit 120 from the external environment.

[0029] Here, the blade 38 lacks a raised pattern designed to move the lock pins to mechanically unlock the lock 6. However, the blade 38 has at least one pattern capable of cooperating with a complementary pattern on a rotor of the cylinder 12 to cause this rotor to rotate when the key is turned. Here, this pattern on the blade 38 is a flat 42 located on its distal end.

[0030] The key 16 is used to power the cylinder 12 via electrical connections. These electrical connections are established only when the blade 38 is inserted into the cylinder 12. For this purpose, the blade 38 has electrical contacts adapted to cooperate with corresponding electrical contacts on the cylinder 12 to establish these electrical connections between the key 16 and the cylinder 12. By way of illustration, the blade 38 has six electrical contacts arranged symmetrically on either side of its axis. For example, the symmetrical contacts are part of the same conductive ring. In the figures, only the contacts 44 to 46 located on the same side of the blade 38 are visible.

[0031] In this embodiment, to power the cylinder 12, the key 16 includes a main generator 41 and an auxiliary generator 43. The generator 41 is capable of supplying, on its own, a quantity Q of electrical energy to the cylinder 12. The quantity Q is the amount of electrical energy required for the cylinder 12 to be unlocked upon receipt of a valid access code transmitted by the key 16. The quantity Q therefore corresponds to the amount of energy consumed by the key 16 and the cylinder 12 to move the cylinder 12 into its unlocked position.

[0032] Generator 41 is called "main" because it is the one normally used to power cylinder 12. Here, generator 41 is an energy recovery device capable of generating the quantity Q of energy from the user's movement of key 16. This energy recovery device is described in more detail with reference to figures 8 to 13 .

[0033] Generator 43 is called "auxiliary" because it is used to supply cylinder 12 in case of failure of generator 41. This generator 43 is described in more detail with reference to the figure 4 .

[0034] There figure 3 represents in more detail the interior of the cylinder 12. The stator 22 has a cylindrical channel 50, with a circular cross-section, passing through the stator 22 and therefore through the two half-stators 30 and 32. This channel 50 extends along the axis 20. Here, the axis 20 coincides with the axis of revolution symmetry of the channel 50.

[0035] Channel 50 receives a rotor 52. The rotor 52 is, for example, identical to the one described in more detail, in particular, with reference to the figures 5 and 6of application FR3025236. In particular, the rotor 52 has a housing 96 adapted to receive the end of the blade 38. The cross-section of this housing 96 has at least one shape complementary to the end of the blade 38 so as to be rotationally engaged by the blade 38. Here, this complementary shape is a flat adapted to engage with the flat 42 of the blade 38. Thus, when an authorized key is turned inside the lock 6, the rotation of the key 16 causes the rotation of the rotor 52, which in turn causes the rotation of the bit 24.

[0036] At its ends, channel 50 opens into cover 34 opposite orifice 36.

[0037] Here, the half-stator 32 comprises a shell 54 entirely located on the outside side of the plane 28 and half of a bar 56 located on the outside side of this plane 28. The bar 56 is symmetrical with respect to the plane 28.

[0038] The shell 54 comprises the front cover 34, the orifice 36, and half of the channel 50 located on the outer side. Preferably, the shell 54 is formed from a single block of rigid material. "Rigid material" or "rigid material" refers to a material whose Young's modulus at 25°C is greater than 100 GPa or 150 GPa, and preferably greater than 200 GPa.

[0039] The half-stator 32 includes a controllable mechanism 76 for unlocking the cylinder. This mechanism 76 is capable of moving a member 80 that locks the rotation of the rotor 52. This mechanism 76 is fixed, without any degree of freedom, to the shell 54. For example, the mechanism 76 and the member 80 are similar or identical to those described in application FR3025236. To increase the readability of the figure 3 The representations of mechanism 76 and organ 80 have been simplified.

[0040] The component 80 moves in translation between a blocking position (represented on the figure 3and a retracted position. In the locked position, a distal end of the component 80 is received inside a recess in the rotor 52 to prevent the rotor from rotating about the axis 20. In the retracted position, the distal end of the component 80 is located outside the recess, so that the rotor 52 can be driven in rotation by the key 16 about the axis 20. For example, the component 80 moves only in translation between its locked position and its retracted position. Here, this translational movement is parallel to the Z direction.

[0041] The mechanism 76 typically includes an electrically controllable actuator 82 and an electronic control unit 84 for this actuator 82. In response to an unlock command transmitted by the unit 84, the actuator 82 moves from an active position to an inactive position. In the inactive position, the component 80 can be freely moved from its locked position to its retracted position when the key 16 is turned inside the cylinder 12. In its active position, the actuator 82 holds the component 80 in its locked position. In the absence of an unlock command, the actuator 82 is in its active position and the component 80 cannot be moved to its retracted position. Once the actuator 82 has reached its inactive position, it remains in its inactive position until the key 16 is removed from the cylinder 12. Typically, the actuator 82 is held in its inactive position without consuming any electrical power.For example, for this purpose, it includes a magnet mechanism which holds it in its inactive position until the key 16 is removed. The movement of the actuator 82 from its inactive position to its active position is here mechanically driven by the movement of the key when it is removed from the cylinder 12.

[0042] Unit 84 is fit for duty: to receive the access code transmitted by the key inserted into the cylinder 12, then depending on the access code received, to transmit the unlocking command to the actuator 82 and, alternately, to inhibit the transmission of this unlocking command to maintain the component 80 in its locked position.

[0043] To authorize or, conversely, inhibit the transmission of the unlock command, unit 84 compares the received access code to pre-recorded access codes. If the received access code matches one of the pre-recorded access codes, then unit 84 transmits the unlock command. Otherwise, unit 84 does not transmit this unlock command.

[0044] Here, unit 84 communicates with transceiver 40 via an electrical link 106, which is established when key 16 is fully inserted into channel 50. Simultaneously, key 16 transmits the energy required to power mechanism 76 via two electrical links 107 and 108. Link 106 is established via contact 44 and an electrical contact 100 of the half-stator 32. Links 107 and 108 are established via contacts 45, 46, and two electrical contacts 101 and 102 of the half-stator 32. Electrical links 106 to 108 are wired connections.

[0045] Electrical contacts 100 to 102 are, for example, structurally identical to each other. For example, these contacts 100 to 102 are implemented as described in application EP3431684.

[0046] There Figure 4 schematically represents the electronic circuit 120 of key 16.

[0047] Generators 41 and 43 are connected in parallel between electrical terminals 124 and 126. More specifically, each of generators 41 and 43 has a negative electrode and a positive electrode. The negative electrode is at a lower electrical potential than the positive electrode. The negative electrode corresponds to the ground of the electrical circuit of wrench 16. The negative electrodes of generators 41 and 43 are connected to terminal 124, and the positive electrodes of generators 41 and 43 are connected to terminal 126. Terminals 124 and 126 are directly connected, respectively, to electrical contacts 45 and 46 via electrical conductors.

[0048] In this text, unless otherwise indicated, the term "connected" means "electrically connected". In this text, the expression "directly connected" means that two electrical components are connected to each other solely by a wired connection and therefore without passing through any other electrical or electronic component other than a wired connection.

[0049] Here, a wire connection or an electrical conductor is, typically, an electrical wire, for example of circular cross-section, or an electrical trace of a printed circuit board.

[0050] The transceiver 40 modulates the information to be transmitted to the cylinder 12 via the contact 44. Conversely, it demodulates the information received via the contact 44. For this purpose, the transceiver 40 is permanently connected between the terminals 124, 126 and the electrical contact 44. More precisely, the transceiver 40 is connected to the terminal 44 by an electrical conductor.

[0051] Key 16 also includes a microcontroller 140 to manage interactions with cylinder 12 when it is powered. To power the microcontroller 140, it includes: a power port 142 directly connected to pin 126, and a power port 144 directly connected to the ground of key 16.

[0052] The microcontroller 140 also includes an input / output port 146 connected to the transceiver 40 for: transmit to the transceiver 40 the information to be modulated, then to be transmitted to cylinder 12, and receive the information transmitted by cylinder 12, then demodulate by the transceiver 40.

[0053] Typically, the information exchanged between the transceiver 40 and the microcontroller 140 is in baseband.

[0054] Here, the microcontroller 140 has another input / output port 148 connected to another transceiver 138 of the key 16. The transceiver 138 is capable of transmitting and receiving information over a wireless link. Here, the wireless link is a short-range link conforming to the NFC ("Near Field Communication") standard and hereafter referred to as an "NFC link." For this purpose, the key 16 has an antenna 136. This antenna 136 also conforms to the NFC standard. It is capable of: to transform a modulated electrical signal generated by the transceiver 138 into modulated electromagnetic radiation, and to transform received modulated electromagnetic radiation into a modulated electrical signal.

[0055] Here, the electromagnetic radiation used for the operation of antenna 136 is radiated at a frequency of 13.56 MHz.

[0056] Port 148 therefore allows microcontroller 140 to: to transmit to the transceiver 138 the information to be modulated, then to be transmitted via the NFC link, and to receive the information received via the NFC link, then to be demodulated by the transceiver 40.

[0057] The 140 microcontroller includes: a non-volatile memory 152 containing instructions to be executed, and a microprocessor 154 capable of executing the instructions stored in memory 152.

[0058] Memory 152 contains, among other things, the instructions for an access control module 156. Memory 152 also contains access rights that allow the unlocking of cylinder 12. Here, the access rights of key 16 include the access code to be transmitted to cylinder 12 to trigger its unlocking.

[0059] When executed, module 156 triggers the operations that manage the interaction of key 16 with cylinder 12 to trigger and, alternately, prevent the unlocking of this cylinder. Thus, module 156 includes instructions to send the access code from key 16 to cylinder 12 via port 146 and transceiver 40.

[0060] Generator 43 transforms the electromagnetic radiation from a near-field transceiver into electrical energy delivered between terminals 124 and 126, which powers the microcontroller 140, the transceiver 40, and the cylinder 12 unlocking mechanism 76. Here, the near-field transceiver is an NFC transceiver, i.e., compliant with the NFC standard. This is typically the type of NFC transceiver with which most mobile phones are now equipped. For this purpose, generator 43 includes antenna 136 and a rectifier 180 connected between terminals 182 and 184 of antenna 136. When antenna 136 is exposed to the electromagnetic radiation from a nearby NFC transceiver, it generates an alternating current between terminals 182 and 184.

[0061] Rectifier 180 transforms the alternating current generated by antenna 136 into direct current delivered between terminals 124 and 126. For example, rectifier 180 comprises: a diode 186 whose anode is directly connected to terminal 182 and whose cathode is directly connected to terminal 126, a capacitor 188 directly connected between the cathode of diode 186 and terminal 124, a resistor 190 directly connected between the cathode of diode 186 and terminal 124.

[0062] Capacitor 188 is used here to filter high frequencies. For this purpose, its capacitance is small. In particular, the capacitance of capacitor 188 is insufficient to store the quantity Q of energy required to power key 16 and cylinder 12. More precisely, in this embodiment, key 16 does not have a battery or a capacitor with a sufficiently large capacitance to store the quantity Q of energy. The absence of such a battery or large capacitor helps to reduce the size of the electronic circuit 120.

[0063] THE figures 5 and 6represent in more detail certain mechanical aspects of the key 16. More specifically, the key 16 has a moving part 200 which moves, relative to the body 39 of the key, from an advanced position to a retracted position when the user inserts the blade 38 into the channel 50. The advanced and retracted positions of the moving part 200 are shown, respectively, on the figures 5 and 6 .

[0064] Here, the moving part 200 is a protective flap that can be moved in translation along the axis of the blade 38 between the forward position of the figure 5 and the retracted position of the figure 6 Therefore, the numerical reference 200 is subsequently used to designate both the moving part and the protective cover. This protective cover is, for example, similar to the one described in application EP3477026.

[0065] In the forward position, flap 200 completely covers contacts 44 to 46. In this forward position, flap 200 therefore protects the electrical contacts from external damage. Flap 200 also prevents contacts 44 to 46 from being accidentally short-circuited together when key 16 is stored.

[0066] Conversely, in the retracted position, contacts 44 to 46 are directly exposed to their external environment, which allows them to come into direct mechanical and electrical contact with electrical contacts 100 to 102.

[0067] Here, the shutter 200 is formed of an end piece 202, made of rigid material, mounted freely in translation along the blade 38. This end piece 202 completely surrounds the blade 38. Its cross-section is similar to that of the blade 38. For example, it has a flat top and a flat bottom. The tip 202 has a distal end 206 capable of moving, by means of shape cooperation with a corresponding stop of the cylinder 12, the tip 202 from the advanced position to the retracted position when the blade 38 is inserted into the channel 50. Here, this distal end 206 corresponds to the annular distal end of the tip 202 facing the distal end of the blade 38. More precisely, when the blade 38 is inserted into the channel 50 by the user, the distal end 206 initially rests directly against the periphery of the orifice 36.Then, as the user pushes the blade 38 into the channel 50, the rim of the orifice 36 cooperates with the distal end 206 to simultaneously move the flap 200 from its forward position to its retracted position. Thus, the rim of the orifice 36 acts as the corresponding stop for the cylinder 12.

[0068] On the opposite side to the distal end 206, the tip 202 has an annular proximal end 208. Here, this annular proximal end takes the form of a collar projecting around its circumference.

[0069] Here, the key 16 has a cap 210 fixed without any degree of freedom to the body 39. This cap 210 completely encircles a proximal portion of the blade 38 while providing a hollow space around this proximal portion capable of fully receiving the tip 202 when it is in its retracted position and only partially when the tip 202 is in its extended position. To this end, the cap 210 has an opening through which the tip 202 slides between its retracted and extended positions. In the extended position, the collar 208 rests against the perimeter of this opening, which retains the tip 202 around the blade 38.

[0070] The key 16 also includes a spring 212 capable of automatically moving the flap 200 from its retracted position to its forward position as soon as the distal end 206 is no longer in contact with the rim of the orifice 36. To achieve this, the spring 212 continuously forces the tip 202 towards its forward position. Here, the spring 212 is a helical spring that surrounds the proximal portion of the blade 38. On one side, it rests on the collar 208 and, on the opposite side, it rests on the body 39. The spring 212 is also housed inside the cap 210 so that it is not accessible from outside the key 16.

[0071] For example, the stiffness of spring 212 is 0.15 N / mm and its compression stroke is 12 mm.

[0072] There figure 7represents the key 16 in a configuration where part of the body 39 has been removed to reveal a printed circuit board 230 on which the various components of the electronic circuit 120 are fixed. More specifically, the figure 7 Figure 230 shows the side of the printed circuit board on which the antenna 136 is mounted. The other components of the electronic circuit 120 are fixed to the other side of the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board 230 is entirely contained within the body 39. The flap 200 is not shown in this figure.

[0073] Generator 41 will now be described in more detail with reference to figures 8 to 13In this embodiment, the operating principle of the generator 41 is identical to that described in detail in application EP2765264. However, this operating principle is adapted here so that the generator 41 transforms the movement of the shutter 200 from its forward position to its retracted position into electrical energy to power the cylinder 12 and the key 16. Thus, subsequently, only the necessary adaptations of the generator 41 to generate electrical energy from the movement of the shutter 200 are described in detail.

[0074] This generator 41 includes: a 240 spring ( Figures 9 to 13 ) to accumulate, in the form of potential energy, the kinetic energy of the flap 200 during its movement from the forward position to the retracted position, and a transformer 242 ( Figure 8 ) capable of transforming the potential energy stored in the spring 240 into electrical energy used to power the cylinder 12 and the key 16.

[0075] Spring 240 can be moved by the translation of flap 200 between: a relaxed state in which the stored potential energy is minimal ( Figure 9 ), and a constrained state in which the stored potential energy is at its maximum ( Figure 11 ).

[0076] For this purpose, one end of the spring 240 is fixed to a fixed anchor point attached to the body 39. The opposite end of the spring 240 is fixed to a movable pin 244. For example, the pin 244 is a solid cylinder extending in a direction perpendicular to the faces of the printed circuit board 230.

[0077] Here, spring 240 is a coiled spring. In its compressed state, spring 240 is tighter than in its relaxed state. The stiffness of this spring 240 is constant or as described in detail with reference to the figure 8 of application EP2765264.

[0078] The transformer 242 converts mechanical rotational motion into electrical energy. For this purpose, it includes a shaft 248 ( figure 8 ) on which is fixed, without any degree of freedom, a toothed wheel 250 ( figure 8 ).

[0079] In this embodiment, the generator 41 also includes a multiplier 252 ( figure 8 ) gear speed to increase the rotational speed of shaft 248. This multiplier 252 also functions as a flywheel. For example, here, this multiplier 252 includes: a toothed wheel R1 of large diameter meshed with wheel 250 and fixed, without any degree of freedom, on a rotating shaft A1, a toothed wheel R2 of smaller diameter fixed, without any degree of freedom, on shaft A1, a toothed wheel R3 of large diameter meshed with wheel R2 and fixed, without any degree of freedom, on a rotating shaft A2, and a toothed wheel R4 of smaller diameter fixed, without any degree of freedom, on shaft A2.

[0080] These R1 to R4 wheels are shown in detail on the figure 8 On the figures 9 to 13 They are visible through transparencies.

[0081] Transformer 242 also includes an alternator 254 ( figures 8 to 13) mechanically connected to shaft 248 to convert the rotation of shaft 248 into electrical energy. For example, alternator 254 is a permanent magnet machine like the one described in application EP1808816. This alternator 254 is electrically connected to a rectifier that converts the alternating voltage generated by alternator 254 into direct voltage delivered between terminals 124 and 126. This rectifier is conventional and has not been shown in the figures.

[0082] To move the spring 240 from the relaxed state to the constrained state, the generator 41 includes a trigger 262 on which the pin 244 is fixed without any degree of freedom.

[0083] Pawn 244 is moved by flap 200 between: a proximal position ( Figure 9 ) closer to the distal end of blade 38, and a distal position ( Figure 11 ) further from the distal end of blade 38.

[0084] For this purpose, key 16 includes a rod 260 ( Figures 9 to 13 ) of actuation which transmits the movement of the flap 200 to the pin 244. For this purpose, the rod 260 extends mainly parallel to the axis 20 of key insertion. One end of the rod 260 is fixed, without any degree of freedom, to the flap 200. For example, the first end is fixed to the collar 208. A second free end, opposite the first end, is shaped to bear directly against the pin 244 and push it from its proximal position to its distal position when the flap 200 moves from its forward position to its retracted position.

[0085] The 262 trigger can be moved between: a locked state in which the trigger holds the second end of the rod 260 in mechanical contact with the pin 244, and an unlocked state in which the trigger mechanically separates the pin 244 from the second end of the rod 260 so that the spring 240 can return to its released state independently of the movement of the flap 200.

[0086] The trigger 262 is shaped to automatically switch from the locked state to the unlocked state when the pin 244 reaches its distal position, without consuming any electrical energy.

[0087] The trigger 262 is mounted to rotate around an axis 266 ( Figures 8 to 10 ) extending perpendicularly to the faces of the printed circuit 230. Under these conditions, the trajectory of the pin 244 between its proximal position and its distal position is an arc of a circle.

[0088] The pin 244 is eccentric with respect to the axis 266 so that a rotational movement of the trigger 262 stretches the spring 240, causing it to move from its relaxed state to its constrained state.

[0089] In this embodiment, the trigger 262 is in the locked state only during the translation of the flap 200 from its forward position to its retracted position. To achieve this, the trigger 262 is configured so that the return force of the spring 240 continuously presses the pin 244 against the second end of the rod 260 as the flap 200 moves from its forward position to its retracted position.

[0090] For example, here, axis 266 is positioned so that pawn 244 is below plane 267 (see figure 11as long as the pin 244 moves from its proximal to its distal position. The plane 267 contains the axis 266 and passes through the stationary anchor point of the spring 240. Furthermore, the position of the pin 244 on the trigger 262 is chosen so that the pin 244 crosses this plane 267 at the moment the pin 244 reaches its distal position. As soon as the pin 244 passes beyond the distal position, the pin 244 passes over the plane 267. As explained later, this results in an automatic transition of the trigger 262 from its locked to its unlocked state when the pin 244 reaches its distal position.

[0091] In the unlocked position of the trigger 262, the spring 240 returns from its constrained state to its relaxed state independently of the movement of the flap 200. This therefore releases the difference in potential energy between these two states in the form of kinetic energy, that is to say here in the form of a rotational movement of the trigger 262.

[0092] To transform this kinetic energy into electrical energy, the trigger 262 includes a toothed wheel sector 268 ( Figure 8 ) designed to mesh with wheel R4 at least in the locked state. Furthermore, the toothed sector 268 is small enough to automatically disengage from toothed wheel R4 before the trigger 262 comes to a stop. Thanks to this, the shaft 248 can continue to rotate due to its own inertia and the inertia of the multiplier 252 and wheel 250 even after the trigger 262 has stopped.

[0093] Here, the notched sector 268 extends over an angular sector less than 315° or 300° and, preferably, greater than 180°. The angle at the apex of this angular sector is located on the axis 266.

[0094] Outside the angular sector where the toothed sector 268 extends, the trigger 262 cannot mesh with the wheel R4.

[0095] The operation of key 16 and cylinder 12 will now be described with reference to the procedure of the figure 14 and with the help of figures 9 to 13 .

[0096] Typically, the process begins with a standard power-up phase 300 for cylinder 12. If phase 300 fails, for example because generator 41 is faulty, then a backup power-up phase 302 is executed. As soon as key 16 and cylinder 12 are powered, whether following phase 300 or phase 302, an access control phase 304 is executed.

[0097] Phase 300 begins with step 310, during which a user inserts key 16 into channel 50 by pushing it along axis 20 in the X direction. At the very beginning of step 310, flap 200 is in its forward position and pin 244 is in its proximal position, as shown in the diagram. figure 9. Next, the distal end 206 of the flap 200 comes to rest directly on the cover 34 of the cylinder 12.

[0098] During step 312, the user continues to push the key 16 into the channel 50 in the insertion direction X. This moves the flap 200 from its forward position to its retracted position. At the same time, the second end of the rod 260 is pushed into the body 39. At some point during this movement, the second end of the rod 260 comes into mechanical contact with the pin 244 as shown in the diagram. Figure 10From this point on, the movement of the flap 200 is transmitted by the rod 260 to the pin 244, which then moves from its proximal to its distal position. During this movement, since the pin 244 is located below the plane 267, the restoring force exerted by the spring 240 keeps the pin 244 pressed against the other end of the rod 260. The trigger 262 is therefore in its locked state. Consequently, it rotates clockwise as the user inserts the key 16 into the channel 50. This movement of the trigger 262 moves the spring 240 from its relaxed state to its compressed state.

[0099] During step 314, pawn 244 reaches its distal position shown on the figure 11At the same instant, the spring 240 reaches its constrained state and the electrical contacts 44 to 46 come into mechanical contact with, respectively, the contacts 100 to 102. Thus, from this instant, the electrical links 106 to 108 between the key 16 and the cylinder 12 are established.

[0100] Here, the 240 spring is sized to ensure that the difference ΔE P between the potential energies stored in the relaxed and constrained states is sufficient to produce the quantity Q of electrical energy.

[0101] During step 314, pawn 244 is located in plane 267.

[0102] During step 316, the pin 244 crosses plane 267. The restoring force of the spring 240 then rotates the trigger 262 clockwise. The pin 244 moves away from the second end of the rod 260 and returns, rotating clockwise, to its proximal position as shown in the figure 12During this movement, the difference ΔE P of potential energy stored in the spring 240 is released as kinetic energy. On this return path, the toothed sector 268 meshes with the toothed wheel R4. Thus, the kinetic energy of the trigger 262 is transmitted to the shaft 248 via the multiplier 252.

[0103] During step 318, the pawn 244 comes to rest against the upper horizontal edge of the rod 260 as shown in the figure 13 The rotation of the trigger 262 stops and it comes to a halt. At the latest simultaneously, the toothed sector 268 disengages, or in this case, disengages from the toothed wheel R4. Preferably, as in this case, the toothed sector 268 disengages from the wheel R4 just before the pin 244 comes to rest against the edge of the rod 260.

[0104] Therefore, during a step 320, the shaft 248 continues to rotate on itself because of its inertia and the inertia of the multiplier 252 and the wheel 250.

[0105] In parallel with steps 316, 318 and 320, during a step 322, as long as the shaft 248 rotates, the alternator 254 transforms this rotation into electrical energy which is transmitted, here as it is produced and after being rectified, to the microcontroller 140, to the transceiver 40 and, via the electrical links 107 and 108, to the cylinder 12.

[0106] A prototype of the generator 41 described here showed that it was possible to recover 7.5 mJ during the 100 ms that begins from the execution of step 316. The average rotational speed of shaft 248 is approximately 16,200 rpm during these 100 ms. This 7.5 mJ is greater than the quantity Q.

[0107] When generator 41 is functioning correctly, access control phase 304 is executed in parallel with step 322. More specifically, phase 304 starts as soon as microcontroller 140 and control unit 84 are supplied with a voltage enabling their operation.

[0108] Phase 304 typically includes a step 330 in which the key 16 transmits the access code stored in its memory 152 to the unit 84 via the wired connection 106. In response, the unit 84 checks whether the received access code is valid. If so, the unit 84 generates the unlock command. The actuator 82 then moves to its active position, and the user can then freely turn the key 16 to move the cylinder 12 to its unlocked position. If the received access code is invalid, the unit 84 does not generate the unlock command, and the cylinder 12 remains in its locked position.

[0109] After step 330, during step 332, the user removes the key 16 from channel 50. The electrical connections 106 to 108 are then broken. The flap 200 returns to its forward position under the action of the spring 212. The rod 260 simultaneously returns to its initial position shown in the diagram. figure 9 . In parallel, spring 240 returns pin 244 to its proximal position.

[0110] When generator 41 fails, inserting key 16 into cylinder 12 does not generate the quantity Q of electrical energy required to execute phase 304. In this case, despite inserting key 16 into cylinder 12, cylinder 12 remains locked in its locked position. To overcome this failure, the user then proceeds to emergency power supply phase 302.

[0111] At the beginning of phase 304, during a step 350, the user establishes a power transmission link between the key 16 and the cylinder 12 which allows the cylinder 12 to be powered from the key 16. For this, here, the user inserts the key 16 into the cylinder 12 and pushes the blade 38 into the channel 50 until it reaches a pushed-in position where the electrical contacts 44 to 46 come into mechanical contact with, respectively, the contacts 100 to 102. Thus, from this moment, the electrical links 106 to 108 between the key 16 and the cylinder 12 are established.

[0112] Simultaneously or subsequently, the user activates the NFC transceiver on their mobile phone if it is not already active. From that moment on, this transceiver emits an electromagnetic field that can be converted into electrical energy by the generator 43 of the key 16.

[0113] Next, in step 352, the user places his mobile phone near the key 16, that is in this case less than 20 cm or less than 10 cm from the body 39 of the key 16.

[0114] Antenna 136 is then exposed to the electromagnetic field of the mobile phone's NFC transceiver. In response, during step 354, generator 43 transforms this electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy delivered between terminals 124 and 126, and thus directly between contacts 45 and 46. The electrical energy produced by generator 43 is therefore transmitted to unit 84 as it is generated via electrical connections 107 and 108. Thus, in this embodiment, the quantity Q of energy required to unlock cylinder 12 is not first stored in a battery with a capacity greater than Q and then released to cylinder 12.

[0115] As long as the mobile phone is held near key 16, generator 43 generates electrical energy. Here, the user holds their mobile phone near key 16 long enough to unlock cylinder 12.

[0116] In the case where the power supply to key 16 and cylinder 12 comes from the execution of phase 302, phase 304 is executed in parallel with step 354.

[0117] Furthermore, if the power supply to key 16 and cylinder 12 originates from the execution of phase 302, then, possibly during step 360, the mobile phone transmits data to key 16 via the NFC connection. In response, key 16 stores the received data in its memory 152 or transmits it directly to cylinder 12 via the connection 106. Conversely, during step 360, cylinder 12 transmits data to key 16 via the connection 106, and in response, key 16 transmits it to the mobile phone via the NFC connection. CHAPTER II: VARIANTS Variations of the key:

[0118] The electrical contacts of the key are not necessarily located on the blade 38. For example, alternatively, they are located on a part of the body 39 which rests on the cover 34 of the cylinder 12. In this case, the cover 34 is equipped with the electrical contacts 100 to 102 necessary to establish the wired electrical connections between the key and this cylinder.

[0119] The transmission of access rights can be done via a wireless information transmission link established between the key and the electronic cylinder.

[0120] Other embodiments of the key's electronic circuit 120 are possible. For example, the key's electronic circuit can be identical to that described in application FR2101057, filed on February 4, 2021. In this case, generators 41 and 43 are connected in parallel between pins 124 and 126 of the electronic circuit in application FR2101057, instead of the battery. In this case as well, the electronic circuit of the control unit 84 is implemented as described in application FR2101057.

[0121] Alternatively, the electronic circuit 120 includes a battery connected between terminals 124 and 126. In this case, the electrical energy generated by generator 41 and / or generator 43 is first temporarily stored in this battery and then subsequently transmitted to the cylinder. Preferably, the capacity of this battery is small, i.e., insufficient to store the quantity Q of energy. However, using a battery with a large capacity, i.e., capable of storing the quantity Q of energy, to fulfill the same role is also possible.

[0122] Transceiver 138 can be omitted. In this case, key 16 is unable to exchange data with the mobile phone via the NFC connection. However, the conversion of the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the mobile phone's NFC transceiver into electrical energy remains possible. In this latter case, the mobile phone does not need to modulate the electromagnetic radiation emitted by its NFC transceiver to encode data. Variants of the main generator:

[0123] Alternatively, the rod 260 does not rest directly on the pin 244, but on a separate stop from the pin 244. This stop is fixed without any degree of freedom to the trigger 262 as described, for example, in application EP2765264.

[0124] Other embodiments of the moving part 200 are possible. For example, in a simplified embodiment, it does not form a protective cover for the electrical contacts of the key. Thus, the moving part can also be a simple rod that slides along the blade 38 when the key is inserted into the cylinder 12, without this rod also serving as a protective cover for the electrical contacts. In such an embodiment, the key may include a protective cover that is then a mechanically separate part from the moving part. In a simplified variant, if the moving part does not serve as a protective cover, the protective cover is omitted.

[0125] In another embodiment where the moving part does not function as a protective flap, the moving part is combined with the blade 38 of the key. In this case, the blade 38 is movable, relative to the body 39, in translation along the axis 20 of key insertion. The stop of the cylinder 12 is then formed, for example, by the bottom of the channel 50. In this case, the blade 38 is inserted into the channel 50 until its distal end abuts against the bottom of the channel. From this point, when the user pushes on the body 39 to further insert the key into the channel 50, the blade 38 moves from this advanced position to a retracted position inside the body 39. It is this movement of the blade 38 into the body 39 that is then converted into electrical energy by the generator 41.

[0126] In other embodiments, the movement of the moving part between its advanced and retracted positions is not a translational movement. For example, when the key is inserted into the cylinder, the moving part pivots around an axis fixed to the body 39. It is this rotational movement that is then converted into electrical energy by the generator 41.

[0127] Other embodiments of the energy recovery device are possible. For example, the various embodiments of such an energy recovery device described in applications EP2765264 and EP1808816 can be adapted to be housed in the body 39 of the key 16 and to use the movement of the moving part 200 relative to the body 39 instead of the movement of the blade 38 in the electronic cylinder, to generate electrical energy.

[0128] Other embodiments of the 254 alternator are possible. For example, the 254 alternator is replaced by a DC generator or a piezoelectric generator. Variants of the auxiliary generator:

[0129] The electromagnetic field converted into electrical energy by the auxiliary generator can be any magnetic field generated by a mobile phone and sufficiently energetic to allow the auxiliary generator to generate the quantity Q of energy in less than 200 ms, or in less than 100 ms when the mobile phone is within 20 cm of the auxiliary generator. Here, the electromagnetic field that meets these conditions is the electromagnetic field used to establish an NFC connection. However, any magnetic field generated by the mobile phone and sufficiently energetic, when the mobile phone is within 20 cm of the key, can be used instead of the magnetic field radiated at 13.56 MHz. For example, provided it is sufficiently energetic, it is also possible to use the magnetic field used to establish a Wi-Fi connection conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standard or a Bluetooth connection.

[0130] Other embodiments of generator 43 are possible. For example, other rectifiers more advanced than rectifier 180 can be used to rectify the alternating current generated by antenna 136. Specific variants for embodiments including generator 41:

[0131] The characteristics of the generator 41 which enable the production of the quantity Q of energy from the displacement of the moving part 200 can be implemented independently of the characteristics required for the implementation of the emergency power supply phase 302.

[0132] For example, the auxiliary generator can be implemented differently from what has been described in the specific case of generator 43. For instance, alternatively, the auxiliary generator does not generate electrical energy from the electromagnetic radiation of a near-field transceiver. For example, in a particularly simple embodiment, generator 43 is replaced by an auxiliary generator comprising only a battery capable of supplying an amount of energy greater than the quantity Q of energy when this battery is connected between the electrical contacts 45 and 46. Typically, the amount of energy stored in this battery is then at least twice the quantity Q so as to allow for multiple uses of this auxiliary generator. The connection of this battery between the electrical contacts 45 and 46 to power the cylinder 12 is, for example, triggered by pressing a button located on the key.

[0133] Alternatively, the auxiliary generator 43 is omitted. In this case, if the generator 41 fails, the key can no longer be used to power the cylinder 12. Specific variants for embodiments including auxiliary generator 43:

[0134] The characteristics of the generator 43 which enable the execution of the emergency power supply phase 302 can be implemented independently of the characteristics of the generator 41 which enable the production of the quantity Q of energy from the displacement of the moving part 200.

[0135] For example, the transmission of electrical energy from the key 16 to the cylinder 12 can be achieved via a wireless power transmission link. In this case, the wireless power transmission link is typically implemented similarly to the method described for transmitting electrical energy from the mobile phone to the key. For instance, an additional antenna is housed in the key and another antenna is housed in the cylinder. These two antennas are configured to wirelessly transmit energy from the key to the cylinder, preferably using a different frequency than that used to establish the NFC connection.

[0136] Other embodiments of the generator 41 are possible. In particular, it is not necessary for the energy recovery device to use the movement of a protruding moving part outside the body 39. For example, this energy recovery device is implemented as described in one of the following applications: EP1039074, DE202017103124, WO200065180. In these latter cases, the moving part is not moved by interaction with the electronic lock when the key is inserted into the cylinder.

[0137] In another embodiment, the main generator is not an energy recovery device. For example, the main generator is a simple electric battery capable of storing an amount of energy several hundred times greater than the quantity Q and which must be replaced once it is discharged.

[0138] In another embodiment, the main generator is housed in cylinder 12. In this case, it is connected between contacts 101 and 102. When the main generator is housed inside cylinder 12, it is, for example, identical to that described in application EP2765264. The main generator can also be a replaceable battery housed in cylinder 12. The main generator can also be a transformer, housed in cylinder 12, which is connected to an electricity distribution network.

[0139] Finally, in a particularly simple embodiment, the main generator is omitted. In this case, cylinder 12 is systematically supplied via generator 43. CHAPTER III: ADVANTAGES OF THE IMPLEMENTATION METHODS DESCRIBED Advantages of the embodiments of the main generator 41:

[0140] The fact that the moving part 200 is moved from its forward to its retracted position when the key is inserted into cylinder 12 ensures that the electrical energy produced by the energy recovery device is generated just before cylinder 12 is unlocked. Therefore, even though the energy thus generated is temporarily stored in a battery before being transmitted to cylinder 12, the storage time of the electrical energy in this battery is very short, so the battery has virtually no time to discharge before its energy is consumed by cylinder 12. Battery discharge is therefore no longer a problem. It is also possible to do without such a temporary storage battery.

[0141] Furthermore, the fact that the movement of the moving part is activated by inserting the key into the cylinder prevents the user from having to make unnecessary movements with the key, movements only required for reloading it. For example, the user does not need to shake the key before using it.

[0142] Finally, placing the energy recovery device in the key rather than in the cylinder makes it possible to replace keys equipped with batteries to power the cylinder with keys equipped with the generator 41 without having to modify the existing cylinders 12.

[0143] The fact that the movable part 200 also forms a protective flap for the electrical contacts 44 to 46 prevents these electrical contacts from being damaged when the key strikes other keys on the same keyring or objects in the user's pocket. Furthermore, the flap prevents the electrical contacts from being short-circuited by a metallic object attached to the same keyring.

[0144] The tubular end cap allows the moving part 200 to be easily held around the blade 38.

[0145] The presence of the auxiliary generator 43 in the key makes it possible to easily compensate for a failure of the energy recovery device.

[0146] The fact that the energy recovery device generates, at each insertion of the key into cylinder 12, an amount of energy greater than or equal to the quantity Q and transmits it directly to cylinder 12 without temporarily storing it in the key, makes it possible to avoid the use of a battery capable of storing in full the quantity Q of energy required for the operation of cylinder 12. Thus, this makes it possible to avoid the use of a battery with a large capacity and therefore to limit the size of the key. Advantages of auxiliary generator 43:

[0147] The fact that the auxiliary generator 43 uses electrical energy stored in the user's mobile phone battery rather than in a key fob battery increases the availability of the backup power supply. Indeed, nowadays, a user rarely forgets to charge their mobile phone, whereas they are more likely to forget to charge a key fob battery or replace its battery. This is so true that the main generator can be omitted so that cylinder 12 is always powered via generator 43.

[0148] The fact that the auxiliary generator is housed inside the same key used to unlock the electronic cylinder ensures that when the user discovers the failure of the main generator when trying to unlock cylinder 12, then he necessarily has the auxiliary generator 43 on him since it is housed inside key 16.

[0149] The fact that the auxiliary generator transmits electrical energy to cylinder 12 as it is produced eliminates the need to temporarily store the quantity Q of energy in a key battery. This avoids problems associated with such a battery discharging over time. It also reduces the key's size.

[0150] Finally, the key equipped with the auxiliary generator 43 can easily replace keys in which the auxiliary generator contains a battery. Indeed, implementing the backup power supply phase requires no modification to the cylinder 12.

[0151] The fact that generators 41 and 43 use the same power transmission link simplifies the architecture of the key / cylinder assembly. Furthermore, the fact that the main generator is also housed inside the key simplifies the architecture of cylinder 12, since it can then operate completely without an internal power source. Finally, cylinder 12 functions identically whether powered by the main generator 41 or by the auxiliary generator 43.

[0152] Transmitting the electrical energy produced by the auxiliary generator 43 directly to the cylinder 12 and without temporarily storing it in a battery capable of storing the quantity Q of energy avoids the use of such large capacity batteries and thus reduces the size of the key.

[0153] The use of wired electrical links to transmit energy from key 16 to cylinder 12 helps to limit energy losses during this transmission.

Claims

1. Method for powering an electronic cylinder of a lock capable, in response to the receipt of a valid access code, of moving: - from a locked position in which the electronic cylinder prohibits access to a building, - to an unlocked position in which the electronic cylinder allows access to the building, this electronic cylinder comprising an electric actuator and a control unit for this electric actuator, in which the method comprises the following steps: a) the transmission (330) by a key, to the electronic cylinder, of the valid access code which triggers the movement of this electronic cylinder from its locked position to its unlocked position, this key comprising for this purpose a microcontroller capable of managing the interactions with the electronic cylinder (12) when it is powered,This microcontroller comprises: - a non-volatile memory (152) containing: - instructions to be executed by an access control module (156) capable of sending an access code from the key (16) to the electronic cylinder (12), and - access rights which allow the unlocking of the electronic cylinder (12), these access rights including in particular the access code to be transmitted to the electronic cylinder (12) to trigger its movement from its locked position to its unlocked position, and - a microprocessor (154) capable of executing the instructions stored in the non-volatile memory (152) and in particular the instructions of the access control module (156) so as to cause the operations which manage the interaction of the key (16) with the electronic cylinder (12) to trigger and, alternately, prevent the movement of the electronic cylinder to its unlocked position,b1) the establishment (350) of a power transmission link between the key and the electronic cylinder which allows the electronic cylinder to be powered from the key, , characterized in that The method also includes the following steps when the power transmission link is established: b2) placing (352) a mobile phone equipped with a near-field transceiver within 20 cm of the key, and b3) converting (354) the electromagnetic radiation from the near-field transceiver into electrical energy by an auxiliary generator housed inside the key, and transmitting this electrical energy, as it is produced, to the electronic cylinder via the power transmission link to power the electronic cylinder.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein in step b3) (354), the electrical energy produced by the auxiliary generator is transmitted, as it is produced, to the electronic cylinder without temporarily storing this electrical energy produced in a battery of the key capable of storing an amount of electrical energy greater than an amount Q, where the amount Q is equal to the minimum amount of electrical energy required for the electronic cylinder to be unlocked in response to the receipt of a valid access code transmitted by the key.

3. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, when the power transmission link is established, the key and the mobile phone exchange (360) data using the same near-field transceiver that emits the electromagnetic radiation converted into electrical energy by the auxiliary generator in step b3).

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein step b1) (350) comprises inserting the key into the electronic cylinder until two electrical contacts of the key come into mechanical contact with two corresponding electrical contacts of the electronic cylinder to establish two wire links which form the power transmission link between the key and the electronic cylinder.

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein step b3) (354) comprises: - the generation of an alternating voltage by an antenna housed inside the key when this antenna is exposed to the electromagnetic radiation of the near-field transceiver of the mobile phone, and - the transformation, by a rectifier housed inside the key, of the alternating voltage generated by the antenna into a direct voltage delivered directly between the two electrical contacts of the key.

6. A key for implementing a method according to any one of the preceding claims, this key being capable of: - establishing a power transmission link between the key and the electronic cylinder which allows the electronic cylinder to be powered from this key, and - transmitting, to the electronic cylinder, a valid access code which triggers the movement of this electronic cylinder from its locked position to its unlocked position, this key comprising: - an auxiliary generator (43) capable of powering the electronic cylinder via the power transmission link established to allow its unlocking with this key, - a microcontroller (140) for managing interactions with the electronic cylinder (12) when it is powered,This microcontroller comprises: - a non-volatile memory (152) containing: - instructions to be executed by an access control module (156) capable of sending an access code from the key (16) to the electronic cylinder (12), and - access rights that allow the unlocking of the electronic cylinder (12), these access rights including in particular the access code to be transmitted to the electronic cylinder (12) to trigger its movement from its locked position to its unlocked position, and - a microprocessor (154) capable of executing the instructions stored in the non-volatile memory (152) and in particular the instructions of the access control module (156) so as to trigger the operations that manage the interaction of the key (16) with the electronic cylinder (12) to trigger and, alternately, prevent the movement of the electronic cylinder to its unlocked position, - the key being devoid of another generator,other than the auxiliary generator, capable, by itself, of supplying the electronic cylinder with the amount of electrical energy necessary for the electronic cylinder to be unlocked in response to the receipt of a valid access code transmitted by the key, characterized in that The auxiliary generator (43) is capable of transforming electromagnetic radiation from a near-field transceiver of a mobile phone into electrical energy and transmitting this electrical energy, as it is produced, to the electronic cylinder via the energy transmission link established between this key and the electronic cylinder.

7. Key according to claim 6, wherein the key is without a battery capable of both: - temporarily storing the energy produced by the auxiliary generator before it is transmitted to the electronic cylinder, and - storing an amount of electrical energy greater than an amount Q, where the amount Q is equal to the minimum amount of electrical energy required for the electronic cylinder to be unlocked in response to the receipt of a valid access code transmitted by the key.

8. Key according to any one of claims 6 to 7, wherein: - the key has two electrical contacts (45, 46) capable, when the key is inserted into the electronic cylinder, of mechanically bearing against corresponding electrical contacts of the electronic cylinder to establish two wire links which form the energy transmission link between the key and the electronic cylinder, and - the auxiliary generator (43) is connected between these two electrical contacts.

9. Key according to claim 8, wherein the auxiliary generator (43) comprises: - an antenna (136) capable of generating an alternating voltage when exposed to the electromagnetic radiation of a near-field transceiver of a mobile phone, and - a rectifier (180) electrically connected: - on one side, to the antenna (136) to receive the alternating voltage generated by the antenna, and - on the other side, between the two electrical contacts (45, 46) of the key, this rectifier being capable of transforming the alternating voltage generated by the antenna into a direct voltage delivered directly between the two electrical contacts.

10. Key according to claim 9, wherein the antenna is a near-field antenna capable of generating alternating voltage when exposed to electromagnetic radiation of frequency 13.56 MHz.

11. Key according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the key is also capable, at the same time as it powers the electronic cylinder, of transmitting to it the valid access code which triggers the movement of this electronic cylinder: - from a locked position in which the electronic cylinder prohibits access to a building, - to an unlocked position in which the electronic cylinder authorizes access to the building.

12. An assembly for implementing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, said assembly comprising: - an electronic cylinder (12) of a lock capable, upon receipt of a valid access code, of moving: - from a locked position in which the electronic cylinder prohibits access to a building, - to an unlocked position in which the electronic cylinder allows access to the building, this electronic cylinder comprising an electric actuator (82) and a control unit (84) for this electric actuator, and - a key (16) capable of: - establishing a power transmission link between the key and the electronic cylinder which allows the electronic cylinder to be powered from this key, and - transmitting, to the electronic cylinder, a valid access code which triggers the movement of this electronic cylinder from its locked position to its unlocked position.this key comprising: - an auxiliary generator (43) capable of powering the electronic cylinder via the power transmission link established to allow its unlocking with this key, and - a microcontroller (140) to manage interactions with the electronic cylinder (12) when it is powered, this microcontroller comprising: - a non-volatile memory (152) comprising: - instructions to be executed from an access control module (156) capable of sending an access code from the key (16) to the electronic cylinder (12), and - access rights which allow triggering the unlocking of the electronic cylinder (12), these access rights including in particular the access code to be transmitted to the electronic cylinder (12) to trigger its movement from its locked position to its unlocked position,and - a microprocessor (154) capable of executing the instructions stored in the non-volatile memory (152), and in particular the instructions of the access control module (156), so as to trigger the operations which manage the interaction of the key (16) with the electronic cylinder (12) to trigger and, alternately, prevent the movement of the electronic cylinder to its unlocked position, - the electronic cylinder and the key both being devoid of any other generator, other than the auxiliary generator, capable, by itself, of supplying the electronic cylinder with the amount of electrical energy necessary for the electronic cylinder to be unlocked in response to the receipt of a valid access code transmitted by the key, , characterized in thatThe auxiliary generator (43) is capable of transforming electromagnetic radiation from a near-field transceiver of a mobile phone into electrical energy and transmitting this electrical energy, as it is produced, to the electronic cylinder via the energy transmission link established between this key and the electronic cylinder.

13. Assembly according to claim 12, wherein the key is without a battery capable of both: - temporarily storing the energy produced by the auxiliary generator before it is transmitted to the electronic cylinder, and - storing an amount of electrical energy greater than an amount Q, where the amount Q is equal to the minimum amount of electrical energy required for the electronic cylinder to be unlocked in response to the receipt of a valid access code transmitted by the key.

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