Electromechanical door locking actuator device for a glass door with a narrow frame, a door with such a device, and an incorporation method

Abstract

An electromechanical door lock actuator device (1) with an actuator module (2) is mounted on the metal shell (21) of the glass door, offset from the door lock so that the actuator module (2) does not obstruct the door opening.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electromechanical door locking actuator device according to the preamble of the corresponding independent claim. The present invention also relates to a glass door with such a device and an incorporation method for attaching such a device to a glass door.

Background Art

[0002] In the application by Overgaard, assigned to Danalock, International Publication No. WO 2017 / 114534 discloses an electromechanical door locking actuator attached to the surface of a door leaf for actuating a door locking part inside the door leaf. This actuator has a cylindrical casing with a battery-driven motor provided inside. This motor rotates a pin receiver that connects to a driver pin extending from the door locking part into the rear part of the actuator. This pin receiver is rotated by the motor when the actuator is operated by a wireless signal that starts the motor in one direction or the other. A manual rotary knob is provided for manual locking and unlocking instead of the motor.

[0003] U.S. Patent No. 9,546,504 by Overgaard discloses an electromechanical door locking actuator with a structure similar to the central pin receiver rotated by a motor. Three types of adapters are provided to adapt the pin receiver to specific types of driver pins in the door locking part.

[0004] International Publication No. WO 2005 / 024160, assigned to Aptus Elektronik AB, discloses an electromechanical door locking actuator with a manually rotatable locking handle connected to the door locking part by a driver pin.

[0005] International Publication No. WO 2016 / 194304 discloses an electromechanical door latch actuator with a locking motor / handle module and an adapter module for a gripping pin and the knob of an existing door latch. For proper adaptation, the module may be equipped with a connecting part having grooves of different lengths and widths.

[0006] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0011822, which is specific to a U.S.-type latch, discloses a locking unit for insertion, which is modified to provide a pin connector between the actuator and the locking unit. The adaptation of an insertable U.S.-type locking cylinder is also disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0154494.

[0007] All these latches are provided with compatible connectors. However, for a glass door having a narrow profile around the glass, the latch is provided closer to the edge of the profile. In fact, existing compatible electromechanical door latch actuators are too tall for such a door, so that the actuator hits the vertical part in the frame around the door, and when such a latch is set, the door cannot be opened freely. For this reason, such glass doors are equipped with electromechanical door latch actuators specially designed for this type of door. However, some types of built-in door latches that are not specially designed for glass doors have gained a high reputation for their versatility, adaptability, and ease of use. It would be desirable if such latches were adaptable to glass doors.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0008]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the prior art. Specifically, it is an object to provide a more universal door locking actuator device for a specific type of glass door with a narrow perimeter around the glass panel. This object, and further advantages, are achieved by using the electromechanical door locking actuator device described in this specification and the claims. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0010] In summary, an electromechanical door locking actuator device with an actuator module is attached to the metal perimeter of a glass door and is offset from the door locking part so that the actuator module does not obstruct the opening of the door.

[0011] Specifically, the device is attached to the surface of the perimeter of the vertical stile in a glass door, particularly when the perimeter of the vertical stile is narrow.

[0012] A typical door for which this device is particularly useful is of the type that includes a glass panel surrounded by a metal outer casing, and the door is hinged to the surrounding frame by its outer casing and forms a hinged door by the glass panel combined with the metal outer casing. The metal outer casing surrounding the glass panel has a vertical stile outer casing where a door locking portion is provided. Generally, the door locking portion includes a locking bolt for locking the door to the frame. This locking bolt is actuated by a cam of a locking insertion portion inside the vertical stile outer casing.

[0013] The locking insertion portion of such a door has a key slot and is often operated by a key. Alternatively, the locking insertion portion is operated by a rotary handle such as a door knob. For incorporation to replace manual operation with electromechanical operation, the handle is removed. The locking insertion portion often needs to be replaced for modification or incorporation to adapt to and cooperate with an electromechanical door locking actuator device.

[0014] For example, the locking insertion portion is of a type commonly used in the United States, where the locking insertion portion has a cylindrical part with external threads. For a specific door as described above, the vertical stile outer casing has threads that cooperate with a cylindrical recess to receive the locking insertion portion, or an incorporated locking insertion portion corresponding to the recess.

[0015] For incorporation, it is often necessary to remove the existing locking insertion portion from the door, such as by removing screws, for modification or replacement, and for this reason, the incorporated locking insertion portion has extended connector pins. This device is configured to receive and rotate these connector pins to drive the door locking bolt. This will be described in more detail below.

[0016] The electromechanical door locking actuator device comprises a connector module with a cover plate. This connector module includes a rotary connector receiver under the cover plate. During installation, when connector pins and mating locking insertion parts are provided, the connector receiver is connected by the connector pins to the cam of the locking insertion part. Rotating the connector pins by the connector receiver causes the rotation of the cam, which in turn actuates the locking bolt by this cam.

[0017] The electromechanical door locking actuator device further comprises an actuator module with a casing and an electric motor inside this casing. This motor is functionally and mechanically connected to the connector receiver via a gear wheel device, and by operating the motor, the gear wheel in the gear wheel device is rotated, thereby rotating the combination of the connector receiver, the connector pins, and the cam.

[0018] Advantageously, but not necessarily, the actuator module comprises, in addition to the motor, a handle for manually rotating the connector receiver, which, instead of rotation by the motor, is via an engaging gear wheel device.

[0019] Optionally, the casing of the actuator module also includes a battery for supplying power to the motor, as well as electronics for controlling the locking and unlocking operations by the motor via the connector receiver. This electronics comprises a controller for the motor and, further optionally, a wireless receiver for wireless communication for receiving wireless commands for locking and unlocking and for sending wireless state information. Using such wireless control, the door locking part can be operated electromechanically by a wireless command signal, for example, from a smartphone to the actuator module or via other wireless data communications such as Wifi.

[0020] In a practical embodiment, the connector module comprises a rear plate or rear contour, which has a rear side that abuts against the contour of the vertical stile and an opposite side that holds the actuator module and the cover plate in a side-by-side relationship.

[0021] As described above, the actuator module often has a height such that when measured transversely from the door surface, the actuator module will hit the frame when the door is rotated in the closing direction or rotated from the closed position. For this reason, the actuator module is displaced from the connector receiver in a direction away from the frame at the position of the door locking part. The connector module has a height H1 including the cover plate, which is less than the height H2 of the actuator module at the position of the connector receiver. The height H1 is designed in relation to the door so that the door can be opened and closed. A useful height H1 is in the range of 10 to 30 mm. The displacement of the actuator module, which is significantly larger than the connector module, prevents the actuator module from hitting the frame when the door rotates within the frame between the open position and the closed position. For example, the height H1 of the connector module is less than half of the height H2 of the actuator module and can also be less than 1 / 3 of H2.

[0022] However, this displacement can mean, for example, that after installation, the actuator module extends from above the glass panel to the contour of the vertical stile. This is the case when the device has a lateral extension W2 in the transverse direction with respect to the contour of the vertical stile and W2 > W1. Here, W1 is the width of the contour of the vertical stile of the door and is parallel to the door.

[0023] The operation of the motor can be adjusted in various ways by the controller. What is important is that the motor stops when the locking bolt of the locking part is moved to the end position or at least when the locking or unlocking is moved to the protected position.

[0024] For example, the locking bolt is driven until hardware stops, which makes further driving of the locking bolt by the motor impossible, increases the power consumption of the motor, which is measured by the electronic device, and the movement of the motor in this direction is stopped. Alternatively, an angular motion decoder is used, which controls the maximum value of the angle, or at least a sufficient rotation of the connector receiver, and stops the motor before the locking bolt reaches the hardware stop.

[0025] The motor of the present device can, in principle, be started by the power from a power supply that is started by manually pressing a push-button contact that closes an electrical circuit. Instead of the push-button contact, for example, an electrically operated relay switch that is automatically operated can be used. Alternatively or additionally, the motor is started by turning a handle. The decoder reads the rotation of the connector receiver by turning the manual rotation handle and starts the motor to assist the user in locking or unlocking the door.

[0026] As a particularly advantageous option, the device is remotely operated by a wireless signal. For example, the device includes a receiver inside the casing to receive and execute wireless digital command data to lock or unlock the door latch. This receiver is functionally connected to the motor to activate the motor based on lock and unlock commands. For example, the receiver is configured for wireless digital command signals such as Bluetooth®, WiFi, Z-wave, ZigBee, or other radio frequency signals. The integrated circuit inside the casing is configured and programmed to activate the motor in either direction when corresponding wireless command signals from, for example, a smartphone or a pager are received by the receiver. However, the device will include a transceiver for two-way digital communication with a programmable computer system for remotely controlling the device by, for example, a smartphone or other type of computer, optionally with encrypted digital communication. The encrypted digital communication can be realized using corresponding encryption keys communicated between the integrated circuit and the smartphone or other type of computer used to remotely operate the device. It is also an option to additionally WiFi transmit to multiple devices.

[0027] The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0029] Figure 1 illustrates an electromechanical door locking actuator device 1 attached to the outer contour 21 of the vertical stile in door 20. The door 20 includes a glass panel 22, which is framed by a surrounding contour, and the outer contour 21 of its vertical stile is mechanically connected to other surrounding contours. A locking insertion part 3, as illustrated in Figure 5, is attached inside the outer contour 21 of the vertical stile and is actuated by the device 1. The locking insertion part 3 actuates the locking bolt 5 of the outer contour 21 of the vertical stile.

[0030] The device 1 comprises a double module with an actuator module 2 and a connector module 4, and the connector module 4 connects the actuator module 2 to the locking insertion part 3.

[0031] While the connector module 4 is positioned above the locking insertion part 3, the actuator module 2 is shifted towards the glass panel 22. The height H1 of the connector module 4 is significantly smaller than the height H2 of the actuator module 2 when measured perpendicular to the outer contour 21 of the vertical stile. For example, H1 ranges from 10 to 30 mm, which has been found to be beneficial for such doors.

[0032] As best illustrated in the photograph of Figure 2, the problem of the actuator module 2 with a given height H2 hitting the frame 23 around the door 20 is eliminated. Figure 2 also illustrates that attaching the actuator module 2 at the position of the connector module 4 prevents the door from opening because the actuator module 2 hits the frame 23 when opening.

[0033] An advantage of the device 1 is that an adapter module 2 of a given height that is successfully used for other types of doors can also be utilized for a glass door with a narrow outer contour 21 of the vertical stile at the position of the locking insertion part 3.

[0034] As illustrated, the connector module 4 connects to the locking insertion part 3 by extending the actuator module 2 from the locking insertion position of the outer contour 21 of the vertical frame towards the glass panel 22 and, if possible, extending over the glass panel 22. The connector module 4 has a first part 4A that covers the locking insertion part 3 and a second part 4B to which the actuator module 2 is attached. The second part extends up to and over the glass panel in the illustrated figure. The first part 4A and the second part 4B are positioned side by side, whereby the actuator module 2 is laterally displaced from the locking insertion part 3 in a direction away from the frame 23.

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the outer contour 21 of the vertical frame has a width of W1, and the device 1 has a transverse extension W2 that is transverse to the outer contour 21 of the vertical frame and parallel to the door 20. W2 is greater than W1. Thus, the actuator module 2 extends over the glass panel 22 to a position away from the outer contour 21 of the vertical frame.

[0036] The actuator module 2 has a cylindrical wall 7 that extends from the connector module 4 to the manual handle 8, and the manual handle 8 functions as a cover for the actuator module 2. The manual handle 8 can be used to manually lock and unlock the door in addition to its motorized function. As part of the cylindrical wall 7 of the actuator module 2, a door 9 is provided to access the battery 10 inside the actuator module 2.

[0037] The cover plate 6 of the connector module 4 covers the interior of the connector module 4 at the position of the locking insertion part 3 in the outer contour 21 of the vertical frame below the connector module 4.

[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates the device 1 with the walls 5 and 7 and the cover plate 6 removed to show the interior.

[0039] The actuator module 2 includes several batteries 10 for providing electricity to the motor 11, which can be driven bidirectionally by switching the current direction. During operation, the motor 11 drives the meshing gear wheel device 12. The gear wheel of the actuator module 2 meshes with the gear wheel of the connector module 4.

[0040] The connector module 4 includes a connector receiver 13 for connecting the motor-driven gear wheel device 12 to the connector pin 14 of the rotary locking actuator of the door locking part.

[0041] The actuator module 2 includes electronics 15 for controlling the locking and unlocking operations by the motor 11 via the adapter module 3. The electronics 15 includes a controller 16 of the motor 11 and a wireless transceiver 17 for receiving digital wireless commands such as program commands or differential commands, and for sending wireless state information.

[0042] Generally, wireless communication is performed via Bluetooth (registered trademark) with a smartphone and / or a WiFi system. There are various other options including Z-wave, ZigBee, or other types of radio frequency signals.

[0043] The controller 16 has a start / stop function, which rotates the rotary connector receiver 13, thereby rotating the connector pin 14 of the door locking insert 3 until the locking bolt 5 of the door reaches the appropriate position for the open / closed state of the door 20. The start-stop function can be programmed into the computer program of the controller 16 or can be realized by a sensor that measures the resistance of the locking bolt 5. For example, the controller is programmed to control the angular movement of the connector pin 14, which is associated with the movement distance of the locking bolt 5 to ensure that the locking bolt 5 moves sufficiently to actually lock the door 20.

[0044] The actuator module 2 includes a base plate 18 which is the lower end of the actuator module 2. The base plate 18 is attached to the connector module 4, and the connector module 4 is similarly attached to the door 20. Thus, the connector module 4 is positioned between the actuator module 2 and the door 20. The gear wheel of the actuator module 2 meshes with the gear wheel of the connector module 4 and drives the connector receiver 13 by the motor 11.

[0045] Figure 4 illustrates the rear side of the connector module 4, and its flat surface abuts against the surface of the door 20 when attached. The locking insertion part 3 includes a cam 24 connected to the connector pin 14, which actuates the locking bolt 5 by rotation when the connector pin 14 is rotated by the motor 11.

[0046] When the device is attached to the door 20, the locking insertion part 3 is attached to the outer contour 21 of the vertical stile of the door, and the connector pin 14 is guided into the collector receiver 13 when the rear plate 19 of the connector module 4 is attached to the outer contour 21 of the vertical stile in the direction where the actuator module 2 is distal to the frame 23 around the door 20.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0047] 1 Electromechanical door locking actuator device 1 2 Actuator module 3 Locking insertion part 4 Connector module 4A First part of the connector module 4 covering the locking insertion part 3 4B Second part to which the actuator module 2 is attached 5 Locking bolt 6 Cover plate of the adapter module 7 Cylindrical wall of the actuator module 2 8 Manual handle 9 Battery door 10 Battery 11 Motor 12 Meshing gear wheel device 13 Connector receiver 14 Connector pin 15 Electronics 16 Controller 17 Wireless transceiver 18 Base plate of actuator module 2 19 Rear plate of connector module 4 20 Door 21 Outline of vertical frame 22 Glass panel 23 Frame 24 Cam of drive locking bolt 5

Claims

1. A door (20) comprising a glass panel (22) surrounded by a metal outer shell, wherein the door is hinged to a surrounding frame (23) to form a hinged door by the glass panel (22) in combination with the metal outer shell, the metal outer shell surrounding the glass panel (22) comprises a vertical frame outer shell (21), a door locking portion is provided therein, the door locking portion comprises a locking bolt (5) for locking the door (20) to the frame (23), and the locking bolt (5) is actuated by a cam (24) of a locking insertion portion (3) inside the vertical frame outer shell (21). An electromechanical door locking actuator device (1) is attached to the surface of the vertical frame outer shell (21). The electromechanical door locking actuator device (1). A connector module (4) comprising a cover plate (6) and including a rotary connector receiver (13) under the cover plate (6), wherein the connector receiver (13) is connected to the cam (24) of the locking insertion portion (3) by a connector pin (14), the cam (24) is rotated by the rotation of the connector pin (14) by the connector receiver (13), and the locking bolt (5) is actuated by the cam (24). An actuator module (2) comprising a casing and an electric motor (11) inside the casing, wherein the motor (11) is functionally and mechanically connected to the connector receiver (13) via a gear wheel device (12), the motor (11) is actuated to rotate a gear wheel in the gear wheel device (12), and the combination of the connector receiver (13), the connector pin (14), and the cam (24) is rotated. The actuator module (2) comprises a handle (8) for manually rotating the connector receiver (13) via a meshing gear wheel device (12) as an alternative to rotation by the motor (11). The connector module (4) comprises a rear plate (19), the rear side of which abuts against the vertical frame outer shell (21), and the opposite side of which holds the actuator module (2) and the cover plate (6) in a side-by-side relationship. The actuator module (2) is displaced from the connector receiver (13) in a direction away from the frame (23) at the position of the door locking part, The height H1 of the connector module (4) at the position of the connector receiver (13), including the cover plate (6), is less than the height H2 of the actuator module in order to prevent the actuator module (2) from hitting the frame (23) when the door (20) rotates within the frame (23) between the open position and the closed position. Door (20). **Claim 2** The outer contour (21) of the vertical frame has a width W1, and the device has a lateral extension W2 in a direction transverse to the outer contour (21) of the vertical frame and parallel to the door, and W2 is larger than W1. The actuator module (2) extends above the glass panel (22) to a position away from the outer contour (21) of the vertical frame. The door according to claim 1. **Claim 3** The door according to claim 1 or 2, wherein H1 is less than half of H2. **Claim 4** The casing of the actuator module (2) includes a battery (10) for supplying power to the motor (11) and electronics (15) for controlling the locking and unlocking actions by the motor (11) via the connector receiver (13). The electronics (15) includes a controller (16) for the motor (11) and a wireless transceiver (17) for receiving wireless commands for locking and unlocking and for sending information on the wireless state. The door according to any one of claims 1 to 3. **Claim 5** The locking insertion part (3) has a cylindrical part with an external thread, and the outer contour (21) of the vertical frame has a thread that cooperates with the cylindrical recess to receive the locking insertion part (3) in the recess. The door according to any one of claims 1 to 4. **Claim 6** An electromechanical door locking actuator device (1) for attachment to the surface of the outer contour (21) of the vertical frame in the door (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The electromechanical door locking actuator device (1) is A connector module (4) comprising a cover plate (6) and including a rotary connector receiver (13) below the cover plate (6), wherein the connector receiver (13) is connected to the cam (24) of the locking insertion portion (3) by a connector pin (14), and the cam (24) is rotated by the rotation of the connector pin (14) by the connector receiver (13), and the cam (24) is configured to operate the locking bolt (5). A connector module (4). An actuator module (2) comprising a casing and an electric motor (11) inside the casing, wherein the motor (11) is functionally and mechanically connected to the connector receiver (13) via a gear wheel device (12), and the motor (11) is operated to rotate the gear wheel in the gear wheel device (12), and the combination of the connector receiver (13), the connector pin (14), and the cam (24) is rotated. An actuator module (2). The actuator module (2) includes a handle (8) for manually rotating the connector receiver (13) via the meshing gear wheel device (12) as an alternative to rotation by the motor (11). The connector module (4) includes a rear plate (19), the rear side of which abuts against the outer contour (21) of the vertical frame, and the opposite side holds the actuator module (2) and the cover plate (6) in a side-by-side relationship. The actuator module (2) is displaced from the connector receiver (13) in a direction away from the frame (23) at the position of the door locking portion. A mechanical door locking actuator device (1), wherein the height H1 of the connector module (4) at the position of the connector receiver (13) including the cover plate (6) is less than the height H2 of the actuator module to prevent the actuator module from hitting the frame (23) when the door (20) rotates within the frame (23) between the open position and the closed position. Claim 7 The casing of the actuator module (2) includes a battery (10) for supplying power to the motor (11), and electronics (15) for controlling the locking and unlocking actions by the motor (11) via the connector receiver (13). The electronics (15) comprises a controller (16) for the motor (11), and a wireless transceiver (17) for wireless communication for receiving wireless commands for locking and unlocking and for sending information on the wireless state. The electromechanical door locking actuator device (1) according to claim 6.

8. The casing of the actuator module (2) is cylindrical, and H1 is less than half of H2. The electromechanical door locking actuator device (1) according to claim 7.

9. A method for incorporating the electromechanical door locking actuator device (1) according to claim 6, 7, or 8 into a glass door installed in a frame, providing a door (20) with a glass panel (22) surrounded by a metal outer shell, the door being hinged to a surrounding frame (23) to form a hinged door by the glass panel (22) combined with the metal outer shell, the metal outer shell surrounding the glass panel (22) comprising a vertical frame outer shell (21) where a door locking part is provided, the door locking part comprising a locking bolt (5) for locking the door (20) to the frame (23), the locking bolt (5) being actuated by a cam (24) of a locking insertion part (3) inside the vertical frame outer shell (21), and the door locking insertion part (3) being manually operable by a handle or a key for opening and closing the door (20). The method includes the step of providing. For incorporation, the method removing the existing locking insertion part (3) from the door (20), modifying or replacing the locking insertion part (3) with a built-in locking insertion part (3) provided with an extension connector pin (14). When the door (20) rotates within the frame (23) between the open position and the closed position, in order to prevent the actuator module (2) from hitting the frame (23), at the position of the locking insertion part (3), the device (1) is oriented in a direction away from the frame (23) so as to be displaced from the connector receiver (13), and the connector pin (14) extends into the connector receiver (13). Attaching the device (1) to the surface of the outer contour (21) of the vertical frame; A method comprising. **Claim 10** The method according to claim 9, comprising the step of electro-mechanically operating the door locking part by a wireless command signal from a smartphone to the actuator module (2).

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