Electromechanical locking device for a movable opening relative to a fixed frame

Abstract

Electromechanical locking device of a movable opening relative to a fixed frame between a closed position and opening positions, said opening comprising a counter plate (1) of which at least one face (11) is arranged to come into contact with at least one wall (21) of a block (2) of the fixed frame equipped with electromechanical means for locking the counter plate (1) in contact with the block (2) when the opening is in the closed position. The counterplate (1) has at least one tenon (10) adapted to fit into a slot (20) in the block (2) and to protrude into a hollow internal volume of said block (2), the inserted portion of the tenon (10) having an opening (12), locking means attached to the block (2) consisting of a bolt (22) for each tenon (10) and drive means (23) that move said bolt (22) into said opening (12) in the tenon (10) in the locked position and out of the opening (12) in the unlocked position. (See diagram: Fig. 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Electromechanical locking device for a movable opening relative to a fixed frame

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of locking and securing openings, and more particularly to doors separating distinct spaces whose closure must be guaranteed under certain circumstances. The type of device to which the invention belongs is, for example, used in access management systems that allow, in particular, doors to be locked individually and securely. Thus, in electronic access control systems, for example those installed in buildings or restricted access areas, these devices can be combined with keypads, card readers, or biometric scanners to manage the entry and exit of people.Alternatively, they can also be used in automatic door configurations to ensure that they remain closed when necessary, for example when space compartmentation requires doors separating areas of a space to be locked in a controllable closed position.

[0002] Currently, in most cases, the door locking devices installed are what are commonly called magnetic locks, also known as magnetic latches, which operate using an electromagnet that generates a powerful magnetic field when energized. Magnetic lock systems are extremely widespread. Very schematically, they consist of an electromagnet designed to work with a magnetic metal part. The metal part, or "counterplate"—in the context of lockable access points—is generally attached to the moving part, i.e., the door leaf, while the electromagnet is attached to the fixed part, i.e., the frame or the fixed structure, for example, the door jamb.When the door closes and the magnetic strike plate makes contact with the electromagnet, if the electromagnet is energized—that is, if a coil that generates a magnetic flux through the electromagnet is energized—the moving part sticks to the fixed part. The door can then only be opened if the current flowing through the coil is interrupted. These very powerful magnetic locks offer an electrically controllable locking mechanism that is particularly effective and reliable, hence their widespread use.

[0003] By way of example, among the most common magnetic suction cups on the market, because they offer a high degree of security, there are models designed to provide a closing force of around 300 kg, which in practice ensures a Sufficient locking. In this case, the current consumption is around 500 mA / h at a DC voltage of 12V, corresponding to a power consumption of 6 W / h. Given that the doors are closed almost all the time, the hourly consumption mentioned above is practically constant, resulting in energy expenditure of around 144 W / day (per 24 hours), hence an annual value that can reach approximately 52 kWh, to be multiplied by the price per kWh to get an idea of ​​the financial burden inherent in such door-locking solutions.

[0004] However, the economic cost is not the only factor to consider for these devices, which are used in very large numbers: the environmental cost must also be taken into account, and increasingly so. For example, if we estimate the number of magnetic suction cups used worldwide to be approximately 500 million units, the overall energy cost represents about 25 TW / year, which is equivalent to the power output of either three average-sized nuclear reactors or 2 million tons of oil equivalent. At a time when our societies are facing difficult choices in order to limit global warming, and more generally to better control our energy consumption, these figures are considerable.

[0005] The invention aims in particular to remedy this problem by proposing a solution that promotes a door locking device configuration whose power consumption—with regard to the "door closing" function—is practically zero. However, reducing power consumption is not the only aspect that a device designed to replace existing electromagnetic locks must address, as this replacement imposes a number of additional technical constraints. Thus, the replacement product must be dimensionally compatible with the old one and include a method of fixing and installation that allows for a simple exchange with the existing magnetic lock system. This implies, in particular, that the strike plate must have suitable positioning tolerances.From an electrical standpoint, the alternative solution must be able to be connected under the same conditions and have a relatively short locking time (in any case less than 1 second) to perform the locking function under similar and, above all, safe operating conditions.

[0006] To this end, the device of the present invention, which is no longer magnetic but electromechanical, is designed to achieve, under the same conditions, the locking of a sash that is movable relative to a fixed frame between a closed position and open positions. The sash comprises a strike plate, at least one face of which is arranged to come into contact with at least one wall of a block of the fixed frame equipped with electromechanical means for locking the strike plate in contact with the block when the sash is in the closed position.

[0007] The locking device is such, according to the invention, that the counterplate has at least one tenon capable of being inserted into a light in the block and of protruding into a hollow internal volume of said block, the inserted part of the tenon having an opening, the locking means attached to the block being made up of a bolt per tenon and driving means driving said bolt into said opening of the tenon in the locked position and out of the opening in the unlocked position.

[0008] The design favored by the invention does not require a constant power supply, as is the case for an electromagnetic lock when it is in its door-locking state, i.e., practically continuously. In the electromechanical configuration, the drive means are only active, and only consume energy, when they are activated, at the moment of locking and unlocking. The energy cost is therefore infinitely lower than in the electromagnetic solution.

[0009] From a safety standpoint, the electromechanical solution also offers additional guarantees, as it does not depend on a continuous power supply. This is the opposite of the situation in an electromagnetic configuration, whose operation depends on a voltage applied to the magnetic lock, necessary to keep the door closed. In this case, opening the circuit, resulting in the absence of voltage, cuts off the magnetic force of the magnet and instantly releases the door. Access control via the corresponding door is then no longer manageable.

[0010] According to one possible configuration, the bolt can be driven in a straight line with an axis perpendicular to the mean plane of the tenon and have a face oriented opposite to the strike plate having a profile whose distance from said strike plate gradually increases from the free end of the bolt. As the bolt is driven into the tenon opening, it becomes capable of bringing the strike plate closer to the block by exerting an action on a wall of the opening oriented towards said strike plate, until the two are clamped together, that is to say, in effect, the opening sash is pressed against the frame of the fixed structure.

[0011] Preferably, the bolt may have, at its free end, a beveled centering surface in the tenon opening, allowing it to be inserted into the tenon opening under good conditions. The orientation and arrangement of this beveled surface may also initiate the function performed by the progressive profile of the bolt mentioned above.

[0012] According to one possibility specific to the invention, the locking is achieved by purely mechanical elements, but it can also rely on means requiring electronic processing to verify the existence and, where applicable, the sufficiency of the door locking action by the system of the invention. Thus, the frame block can, for example, include a locking sensor that detects the position of the tenon within the block. Only when this position is detected is the command to move the bolt(s) to insert them into the tenon(s) initiated. This locking sensor can utilize various technologies, such as an electromechanical probe, an optical sensor, or a magnetic sensor (Hall effect or Reed switch).

[0013] Furthermore, the fixed frame unit may also include means for detecting the pressure exerted by the bolt on the tenon. The objective is to detect that the closing force is sufficient, so that the system can cut off the power supply to the drive means that operate the bolt. This establishes a virtuous cycle that ensures the door is held firmly against the frame with sufficient pressure.

[0014] According to one possible configuration, these drive means may comprise a rotary motor whose rotor shaft includes a gear reducer driving a rack attached to the bolt; that is, the movement imparted to the rack is transmitted to the bolt. The speed reducer, in this case associated with a rack, allows for a stable and, above all, play-free clamping of the strike plate onto the block until the motor receives a release command, which drives the bolt in the opposite direction to release the tenon.

[0015] According to an adapted structure, the rack can be placed on one face of an arm, one end of which is connected to the bolt and the other end, equipped with said rack, cooperates by meshing with an output gear of the reducer.

[0016] To improve the relative positioning of the system components, the bolt is optionally guided, in the vicinity of the slot in the block intended for the insertion of the tenon, by a guide sleeve. This ensures that, when the tenon is sufficiently inserted into the block, locking by inserting the bolt into the tenon is possible because the bolt is pre-positioned opposite the opening of the tenon.

[0017] For the locking device of the invention, the existence of at least one tenon, and consequently at least one corresponding bolt, has been mentioned. In reality, preferably, the counterplate has two tenons that fit into two slots in the block, the locking means then comprising two bolts actuated simultaneously by the drive means. More precisely, in such a case, the gearbox can, for example, actuate two racks placed diametrically opposite each other with respect to the gearbox, the arms carrying the racks then being driven in translation in the same direction and opposite sense.

[0018] As mentioned previously, the locking device of the invention, in practice, comprises a central unit that manages all the operation, in this case a signal processing unit for the signals from the closure sensors and the means The unit detects the pressure exerted by each bolt on a tenon and is connected to, and capable of opening or closing, the connection between the power supply and the drive means that operate the bolts. This processing unit controls the drive means when, in a two-tenon configuration, the locking sensors detect the insertion of the tenons into the block, and then cuts off the power supply to the motors when the pressure of each bolt on an internal wall of the tenon opening exceeds a predetermined threshold. The power supply means can be varied, for example, a rechargeable or replaceable battery, an electronic capacitor circuit, or a functional equivalent to these solutions.

[0019] The invention also relates to a method of locking a movable opening relative to a fixed frame by means of a locking device as described above, and which comprises the following steps:

[0020] - Detection by each closing sensor of the closed position of the opening;

[0021] - Control by the processing unit of the closure of the link between the means power supply and drive means for each bolt;

[0022] - Measurement of the pressure exerted by the bolt on the tenon by detection means pressure;

[0023] - Comparison of the measured pressure with a pressure threshold stored in the processing unit;

[0024] - If the detected pressure exceeds the stored threshold, the unit commands handling of the opening of the connection between the power supply means and the drive motor means of each bolt.

[0025] Thus, the control cycles of the locks are dependent on the information emitted by the sensors, which verify that the conditions of the lock are met and trigger or stop the motor means accordingly.

[0026] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, which presents one embodiment of the invention. This embodiment is given, however, only by way of illustration and is not intended to be limiting.

[0027] Understanding this description will be facilitated by referring to the drawings attached in the appendix, in which:

[0028] Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of a counter plate and a block of a locking device according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a possible locking device configuration adapted to the structure of the preceding figure; and

[0030] Fig. 3 represents a simplified flowchart of the operation of the locking device according to the invention.

[0031] With reference to [Fig. 1], the counter plate 1 is fixed to the opening, often a door, while the block 2 is mounted on a fixed frame comprising a door frame When the opening is a door, it is the hollow fixed block 2, whose visible housing encloses a mechanism, that comprises almost all the elements of the locking device of the invention. Very schematically, tenons 10 protruding from the strike plate 1 are located on the latter so as to fit into corresponding slots 20 in the block 2. When they are fitted into these slots, and when the facing faces 11 and 21 of the strike plate 1 and the block 2, respectively, are close to or in contact with each other, a locking mechanism internal to the block 2 can be activated to lock the assembly in this position, thus locking the door on which the strike plate 1 is mounted. This mechanism is designed to achieve relative locking of these parts by inserting a shaft or equivalent into the opening 12 of each tenon 10, as will be seen in more detail later.

[0032] Figure 2 shows an example of an operational functional configuration, illustrating the locking mechanism at work in the hollow block 2. This mechanism primarily comprises two bolts 22 driven by motor drive means 23 acting on the bolts 22 via arms 24. These arms are equipped with racks 25 that mesh with a gear fixed to the drive shaft of the motor means 23, for example, an electric motor. The bolts 22 have a beveled end 26 and a distal face 27 of the strike plate 1, i.e., oriented opposite to said strike plate 1, which has an inclined profile, the distance of which from the strike plate 1 gradually increases from the free beveled end of the bolt 22.A guide 28 can be provided to guide the bolt 22 in its straight path parallel to the counter plate 1, so as to move it parallel to the axis of the opening 12, and consequently perpendicular to the average plane of the tenon 10 and to the plane of the opening 12. A closing sensor 29, in this case a sensor for detecting the presence of a tenon 10, is provided, substantially in the axis and in the vicinity of the lights 20.

[0033] The operation is as follows: when the sensor 29 detects that the tenon is sufficiently inserted into the light 20, meaning that the door on which the counterplate is fixed is more or less closed, the motor means 23 are engaged by an electronic processing unit and drive the bolts 22 by means of the racks 25, bolts 22 which then engage inside the opening 12 of the tenons 10. They initially center themselves there and if necessary via their beveled ends 26, then gradually penetrate into the opening 12, the distal oblique face 27 exerting - at least from a certain moment - a progressive force F (see [Fig.2]) when the bolt 22 is pressed against the inner wall of the opening 12 of the tenon 10 which is distal to the counterplate 1 and oriented towards it.

[0034] In other words, the bolts 22 exert a force F that presses the strike plate 1 of an opening towards and into contact with the block 2. As mentioned previously, a device An electromechanical or electronic device is provided to detect if the closing pressure is sufficient, and cuts off the power supply to the motor 23. A gear fixed to the shaft of the motor 23 has been mentioned: preferably, said motor 23 can be equipped with a speed reducer of which the gear in question is part, which allows a durable and backlash-free clamping of the counter plate 1 on the block 2, a clamping which guarantees a good closure and is exerted until the motor 23 receives a unlocking command.

[0035] With reference to [Fig. 3], the operations leading to the locking of the opening are initiated by the closing sensors 29, which detect the presence of the tenons 10 and send a corresponding signal to the processing unit containing the information processing logic. This unit, in turn, sends a control message to the motor 23 of the bolt drive means 22 to implement the locking function. In this operating logic, the system is powered exactly as if it were a magnetic lock, but the system consumes power only briefly, to move the bolts 22, i.e., in practice, for a short period ranging from one to a few seconds.Furthermore, there is no other power consumption than that of the information processing unit and that required for the power supply function, for recharging a battery or capacitor intended to power the system during the door opening phases. It is the same processing unit that also sends the opening signal to the mechanism; the motor 23 then rotates in the opposite direction to retract the bolts 22 from the openings 12 of the tenons 10 to release them: the door can then be opened by the user.

[0036] The design modalities illustrated by the figures are of course not exhaustive of the invention, which on the contrary includes variants of form in particular likely to affect the tenons 10, the locking mechanism with tenons 22 and racks 25, etc., which are not limited to the particular configuration appearing in the figures.

Claims

Demands

1. An electromechanical locking device for a movable sash relative to a fixed frame between a closed position and open positions, said sash comprising a strike plate (1) at least one face (11) of which is arranged to come into contact with at least one wall (21) of a block (2) of the fixed frame, equipped with electromechanical means for locking the strike plate (1) in contact with the block (2) when the sash is in the closed position, characterized in that the strike plate (1) comprises at least one tenon (10) adapted to fit into a slot (20) of the block (2) and to protrude into a hollow interior volume of said block (2), the inserted portion of the tenon (10) comprising an opening (12), locking means attached to the block (2) consisting of a bolt (22) per tenon (10) and drive means (23) for driving said bolt (22) into said opening (12) of the tenon (10) in the locked position and out of the opening (12) in the unlocked position.

2. Electromechanical locking device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the bolt (22) is driven in a straight line with axis perpendicular to the mean plane of the tenon (10) and has a face (27) oriented opposite to the counter plate (1) having a profile whose distance to said counter plate (1) increases progressively from the free end of the bolt (22).

3. Electromechanical locking device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the bolt (22) has, at its free end, a beveled surface (26) for centering in the opening (12) of the tenon (10).

4. Electromechanical locking device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the block (2) of the fixed frame includes a closure sensor (29) detecting the position of the tenon (10) in the block (2).

5. Electromechanical locking device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the block (2) of the fixed frame includes means for detecting the pressure exerted by the bolt (22) on the tenon (10).

6. An electromechanical locking device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the driving means comprise a rotary motor (23) whose rotor shaft has a gear reducer driving a rack (25) integral with the bolt (22).

7. Electromechanical locking device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rack (25) is placed on one face of an arm (24) one end of which is connected to the bolt (22) and the other end provided with said rack (25) cooperates by meshing with an output gear of the reducer.

8. Electromechanical locking device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bolt (22) is guided, in the vicinity of the light (20) of the block (2) provided for the insertion of the tenon (10), by a guide sleeve (28).

9. Electromechanical locking device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the counter plate (1) has two tenons (10) fitting into two slots (20) in the block (2), the locking means comprising two bolts (22) actuated simultaneously by the motor means (23).

10. Electromechanical locking device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the reducer actuates two racks (25) placed diametrically opposite each other with respect to the reducer, the arms (24) comprising the racks (25) being driven in translation in the same direction and in opposite senses.

11. Electromechanical locking device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a signal processing unit from the closing sensors (29) and means for detecting the pressure exerted by each bolt (22) on a tenon (10), said unit being connected to and capable of closing or opening the link between supply means and the drive means (23) driving the bolts (22).

12. A method for locking a movable opening relative to a fixed frame by means of a locking device according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: Detection by each closure sensor (29) of the closed position of the opening; Control by the processing unit of the closure of the link between the supply means and the drive means (23) of each bolt (22); Measurement of the pressure exerted by the bolt (22) on the tenon (10) by pressure detection means; Comparison of the measured pressure with a pressure threshold stored in the processing unit; If the detected pressure exceeds the stored threshold, the processing unit commands the opening of the connection between the supply means and the drive means (23) of each bolt (22).

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