Automatic locking devices and fixtures

Abstract

To provide an automatic locking device capable of automatically locking an operating object in conjunction with the operation of the operating object, and a fitting.SOLUTION: An automatic locking device 10 includes: a base body placed next to an operating lever 532; an engagement member 15 that is attached to the base body and is capable of moving between an engagement position and a non-engagement position and is biased forward to the engagement position; an authentication unit that authenticates the operation; and a driving unit 17 that drives the engaging member 15 based on the authentication by the authentication unit. The driving unit 17 is configured to cause the engaging member 15 to retract against the forward bias to the disengaged position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic locking device that automatically locks an operating body such as a crescent lock or a handle used for a fitting, and to a fitting. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a rotation blocking device that blocks or unblocks rotation of a locked crescent (operating body) by moving a blocking member forward and backward (see Patent Document 1). In this rotation blocking device, the blocking member is driven to advance based on an instruction signal from a wireless transmitter such as a remote controller, thereby blocking the rotation of the crescent; and when the blocking member is moved backward, the rotation blocking of the crescent is released. [Prior Art Literature] [Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-241476 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in the rotation blocking device described in Patent Document 1, the blocking member is driven to advance to block the rotation of the crescent based on an instruction signal from a remote controller or the like. Therefore, it is necessary to issue an instruction signal from a remote controller or the like separately from the operation of locking the crescent, and the rotation blocking device cannot block the rotation of the crescent in conjunction with the locking operation of the crescent, which means it takes time and effort to block the rotation of the crescent by the rotation blocking device. In addition, if a user forgets to perform the remote controller operation, there is a risk that the rotation of the crescent in the locked state remains unblocked.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic locking device and a fitting that automatically lock an operating body in conjunction with the operation of the operating body. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0006] The present invention is an automatic locking device for automatically locking an operating lever of an operating body used in building fixtures, comprising: a base body disposed adjacent to the operating lever; an engaging member attached to the base body so as to be able to move back and forth between an engaging position in which it is engaged with the operating lever and an unengaged position in which it is not engaged with the operating lever, and which is biased to move forward to the engaging position; an authentication unit for authenticating the operation of the automatic locking device; and a drive unit for driving the engaging member based on the authentication by the authentication unit, wherein the drive unit is characterized in that it moves the engaging member back to the unengaged position against the forward bias. The building fixture of the present invention is characterized by comprising the operating body and automatic locking device of the present invention described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic locking device and a building fixture that automatically lock an operating body in conjunction with the operation of the operating body. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Interior view drawing showing a door / window according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] A perspective view showing an automatic locking device for a building fixture according to the above embodiment. [Figure 3] A perspective view showing the automatic locking device for the building fixture according to the above embodiment, with some parts omitted. [Figure 4] An explanatory diagram showing the operation of the automatic locking device for a building fixture according to the above embodiment. [Figure 5] An explanatory diagram showing the operation of the crescent lock of the door / window according to the above embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Structure of this embodiment] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In Figure 1, the sliding window 1 as a building fixture according to this embodiment is installed in an opening in a building and comprises a window frame 2 as a frame body, an outer sash 3 and an inner sash 4 arranged within the window frame 2 so as to be openable and closable in the left and right directions, a crescent lock 5 (locking device) as an operating body for locking the outer sash 3 and the inner sash 4, and an automatic locking device 10 that automatically locks the crescent lock 5 itself. In the following description, the left-right direction of the sliding window 1 is defined as the X-axis, the up-down direction of the sliding window 1 is defined as the Y-axis, and the depth direction of the sliding window 1 is defined as the Z-axis. The X, Y, and Z axes are orthogonal to each other.

[0010] The window frame 2 comprises an upper frame 21, a lower frame 22, and left and right vertical frames 23, defining the opening in the sliding window 1. The outer sash 3 comprises a frame body 30 having an upper frame 31, a lower frame 32, and left and right vertical frames 33, and a surface material 35 such as a glass panel placed inside the frame body 30. The inner sash 4 comprises a frame body 40 having an upper frame 41, a lower frame 42, and left and right vertical frames 43, and a surface material 45 such as a glass panel placed inside the frame body 40. In the outer sash 3 shown in Figure 1, the right vertical frame 33 is configured as an outer meeting frame, and in the inner sash 4 shown in Figure 1, the left vertical frame 43 is configured as an inner meeting frame.

[0011] As shown in Figure 2, the crescent lock 5 has a lock body 51 attached to the inner meeting stile 43 and a lock receiver 58 attached to the outer meeting stile 33. The lock body 51 has a base 52 installed on the outer peripheral side wall 431 of the inner meeting stile 43, a lock hook 53 rotatably attached to the base 52, and a manual lock 54 that prevents the lock hook 53 from rotating when it is in the locked position, as shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the base 52 is formed in a rectangular shape extending in the Y-axis direction and has holes formed in the side wall portion 431 for screw fastening. The locking mechanism 53 includes an arc-shaped hook portion 531 that engages with the lock receiver 58 during rotation, and an operating lever 532 that extends radially from the rotation axis C of the hook portion 531. The operating lever 532 is positioned to extend upward in the locked position, as shown in Figure 2, when locking the outer sash 3 and the inner sash 4, and to extend downward in the unlock position, when unlocking. The operating lever 532 is rotated between the locked and unlocked positions, and the hook portion 531 is engaged with the lock receiver 58 when the operating lever 532 is in the locked position, and disengaged from the lock receiver 58 when the operating lever 532 is in the unlocked position. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(A), the operating lever 532 has a groove 533 into which the engaging member 15 is inserted and removed. When the operating lever 532 engages with the engaging member 15 while the engaging member 15 is positioned in the groove 533, the rotational operation of the operating lever 532 is restricted. The manual lock 54 is provided on the base 52 and is configured to prevent the rotation of the operating lever 532 in the locked position by manual operation, while releasing the rotation of the operating lever 532 by manual operation in the opposite direction.

[0012] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the automatic locking device 10 includes a base body 11 mounted on the aforementioned pedestal 52, an engaging member 15 attached to the base body 11 so as to be able to move back and forth relative to the operating lever 532 and biased to move forward in the X-axis direction by a compression coil spring 18 acting as a biasing member, an authentication unit 16 for authenticating the operation of the automatic locking device 10, and a drive unit 17 for driving the engaging member 15 based on the authentication by the authentication unit 16.

[0013] The base body 11 has a rectangular case 12 extending in the Y-axis direction, a rectangular back plate 13 extending in the Y-axis direction to which the case 12 is screwed, and a circuit board 14 attached to the back plate 13. The case 12 is separate from the base 52 of the operating lever 532 and is attached to the base 52 by screws 7 together with the base 52 to the outer peripheral side wall portion 431 of the inner meeting frame 43. When mounted on the base 52, the base body 11 is positioned adjacent to the operating lever 532 in the X-axis direction. The circuit board 14 contains a control unit 141 which has a CPU that receives an authentication signal from the authentication unit 16 and drives the drive unit 17, and the control unit 141 is electrically connected to the authentication unit 16 and the drive unit 17. A power supply 8 such as a battery for operating the authentication unit 16, the control unit 141 and the drive unit 17 is detachably mounted on the case 12. The case 12 comprises a case body 121 on which a backing plate 13 is positioned on its rear surface in the X-axis direction, and a front wall portion 122 that engages with the case body 121 to close an opening formed on the front surface of the case body 121. The lower front surface of the case body 121 is configured with a mounting portion 123 that surrounds the upper part of the base 52 and through which a screw 7 is inserted. The base body 11 is fastened together with the base 52 by the screw 7 with the mounting portion 123 surrounding the upper part (part) of the base 52, so that it is mounted on the base 52 with its swinging relative to the base 52 suppressed. In addition, a hole is formed in the lower front surface of the case body 121 where a latch 152 of the engaging member 15, described later, is positioned. An authentication portion 16 is positioned on the front wall portion 122 so that it can be operated from outside the case 12. Note that the mounting strength may be improved by auxiliaryly attaching the backing plate 13 to the side wall portion 431 of the inner meeting frame 43 with double-sided tape or the like.

[0014] The engaging member 15 includes a main body 151 that is guided to move back and forth in the X-axis direction by a guide pin 131 that extends and is erected on the back plate 13 in the X-axis direction, a latch 152 formed to protrude in the X-axis direction from the front side of the main body 151 toward the operating lever 532, and a ring-shaped magnet 153 (first magnet) provided on the back side of the main body 151. The latch 152 is arranged to be movable in the X-axis direction in the aforementioned hole of the case body 121. In this embodiment, the magnet 153 is a permanent magnet.

[0015] The authentication unit 16 is constituted by a fingerprint sensor that identifies a user's fingerprint, and is configured to authenticate the user's fingerprint, generate an authentication signal, and transmit the signal to the control unit 141. The authentication unit 16 uses pre-registered user fingerprint information as a specific authenticated portion, and is configured not to generate the aforementioned authentication signal when information different from the fingerprint information is identified. Here, when the control unit 141 receives the authentication signal transmitted from the authentication unit, it drives the driving unit 17 according to a predetermined program as described later.

[0016] The driving unit 17 includes a motor 171 as a driving source that operates based on the authentication of the authentication unit 16, a metal movable body 172 as a ferromagnetic body (second magnetic body) that approaches or separates from a magnet 153 provided on the engaging member 15 by the operation of the motor 171, a transmission mechanism 173 that transmits the operation of the motor 171 to the metal movable body 172 as a vertical moving force in the Y-axis direction, and limit switches 174 and 175 that define the upper limit position and the lower limit position of the metal movable body 172. In the present embodiment, the transmission mechanism 173 is constituted by a rack and pinion mechanism.

[0017] In the double sliding window 1 described above, the automatic locking device 10 operates as follows. First, under normal conditions, the engaging member 15 is positioned in the forward position (engaged position P1) in the X-axis direction due to the biasing force of the compression coil spring 18, and the latch 152 is positioned protruding forward from the base body 11 in the X-axis direction. The metal movable body 172 is positioned in the upper limit position and is positioned above and spaced apart from the magnet 153 of the engaging member 15. In this state, when the operating lever 532 of the crescent lock 5 is rotated in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 5(A), the operating lever 532 comes into contact with the latch 152, and when it is rotated further, the latch 152 is moved backward in the X-axis direction from the engaged position P1 to the disengaged position P2 against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 18, while the operating lever 532 is positioned in the locked position shown in Figure 2 and Figure 5(B). When the operating lever 532 is positioned in the locked position, the engaging member 15 moves forward in the X-axis direction due to the biasing force of the compression coil spring 18, and is positioned in the engaging position P1 where the latch 152 is inserted into the groove 533 of the operating lever 532, as shown in Figure 4(A). As a result, the rotational operation of the operating lever 532 is automatically locked by the automatic locking device 10, and the locked state of the crescent lock 5 can be maintained. In this state, the portion of the latch 152 inserted into the groove 533 is covered by the operating lever 532, at least from the indoor side. Furthermore, as shown in (B) of FIG. 5, when the authentication unit 16 of the automatic lock device 10 is operated by a user's finger, the authentication unit 16 identifies the user's fingerprint, and if the fingerprint matches a specific pre-registered authenticated part, generates an authentication signal and transmits the generated authentication signal to the control unit 141. Upon receiving the authentication signal, the control unit 141 operates the drive unit 17. Specifically, the operation of the drive unit 17 is as follows. First, the motor 171 is activated, the metal movable body 172 is moved downward via the transmission mechanism 173, and the metal movable body 172 is brought close to the magnet 153 of the engaging member 15. As a result, the magnet 153 is attracted to the metal movable body 172, the engaging member 172 retreats from the engaging position P1 in the X-axis direction against the biasing force of the compression coil spring 18, and as shown in (B) of FIG. 4, the latch 152 is pulled out from the groove 533 of the operating lever 532 and disposed at the non-engaging position P2. Accordingly, the locked state held by the operating lever 532 is released, and the operating lever 532 becomes rotatable along the arrow shown in (B) of FIG. 5. At this time, the metal movable body 172 moves downward from the upper limit position where it abuts against the upper limit switch 174, and stops moving at the lower limit position where it abuts against the lower limit switch 175. Next, in the unlocked state shown in (B) of FIG. 5, when the control unit 141 counts a predetermined time, the motor 171 is activated in the reverse direction, the metal movable body 172 is moved upward via the transmission mechanism 173, and the metal movable body 172 is separated from the magnet 153 of the engaging member. As a result, the attractive force of the magnet 153 to the metal movable body 172 weakens, and the engaging member 15 advances from the non-engaging position P2 to the engaging position P1 by the biasing force of the compression coil spring 18. Then, when the metal movable body 172 abuts against the upper limit switch 174, the reverse operation of the motor 171 stops, and the driving of the drive unit 17 ends. As described above, the engaging member 15 retreats to the non-engaging position P2 when the metal movable body 172 approaches the magnet 153, and advances and returns to the engaging position P1 when the metal movable body 172 separates from the magnet 153.

[0018] [Modified Example] In the above embodiment, the engaging member 15 is provided with a magnet 153 and the drive unit 17 is equipped with a metal movable body 172 as a magnetic material. However, the configuration is not limited to this, for example, a magnetic material (first magnetic material) may be provided on the engaging member 15 and the drive unit 17 may have a magnet 153 (second magnet), or a magnet 153 (first magnet) may be provided on the engaging member 15 and the drive unit 17 may also have a magnet 153 (second magnet). In addition, if the power consumption is within an acceptable range, an electromagnet may be used instead of the magnet 153 (permanent magnet) or the metal movable body 172. In this case, the motor 171, transmission mechanism 173, limit switches 174, 175, etc. may be omitted, and the electromagnet or the like may be installed as a fixed component. In the above embodiment, the authentication unit 16 is composed of a fingerprint sensor that authenticates the user's fingerprint, but it is not limited to this, and for example, the user's veins, face, retina, or voice such as keywords may be registered in advance as specific parts to be authenticated. In the above embodiment, the base body 11 of the automatic locking device 10 is separate from the base 52 of the crescent lock 5 and is mounted on the base 52, and is configured to be retrofitted to an existing crescent lock 5. However, the invention is not limited to this configuration, and for example, the base 52 and the base body 11 may be formed as a single unit. In the above embodiment, the base body 11 and the pedestal 52 are fastened together with screws 7 and attached to the side wall portion 431 of the inner meeting frame 43. However, the base body 11 may be attached to the side wall portion 431 at a location different from where the pedestal 52 is attached to the side wall portion 431 with screws 7, without being fastened together with the pedestal 52. In the above embodiment, when locked by the crescent lock 5, at least a portion of the engaging member 15 (the portion in which the latch 152 is inserted into the groove 533) is covered by the operating lever 532 in the engaged state, but it may also be arranged so that it is not covered. In the above embodiment, a sliding window 1 was described as the joinery, but other joinery such as a single sliding window may also be used, as well as a vertically sliding window or a horizontally sliding window. In this case, the operating mechanism is not limited to a locking device such as a crescent lock 5, but may also be an operating mechanism such as a handle for opening and closing the sash.

[0019] [Summary of the invention] The present invention is an automatic locking device for automatically locking an operating lever of an operating body used in building fixtures, comprising: a base body disposed adjacent to the operating lever; an engaging member attached to the base body so as to be able to move back and forth between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and which is biased to move forward to the engaged position; an authentication unit for authenticating operation of the automatic locking device; and a drive unit for driving the engaging member based on authentication by the authentication unit, wherein the drive unit retracts the engaging member to the disengaged position against the forward bias. In the automatic locking device of the present invention, the engaging member, which is biased forward, is positioned in the engaged position. When the operating lever strikes the engaging member, the engaging portion retracts against the forward bias and is temporarily positioned in the disengaged position. When the operating lever is positioned in a predetermined position relative to the automatic locking device, the engaging member automatically returns from the disengaged position to the engaged position and engages with the operating lever. Thus, the automatic locking device operates as described above and can automatically lock the operating lever in a predetermined position.

[0020] In the automatic locking device of the present invention, the engaging member is provided with a first magnet or a first magnetic body, the drive unit comprises a motor that operates based on authentication by the authentication unit, and a second magnet or a second magnetic body that moves closer to or further away from the first magnet or the first magnetic body by the operation of the motor, and the engaging member may be configured to retract to the disengaged position when the second magnet or the second magnetic body approaches the first magnet or the first magnetic body, and to move forward and return to the engaged position when the second magnet or the second magnetic body moves further away from the first magnet or the first magnetic body. With this configuration, a motor that operates based on authentication by the authentication unit brings the second magnet or second magnetic material closer to the first magnet or first magnetic material, thereby using magnetic force to quickly retract the engaging member. Furthermore, by using the motor to separate the second magnet or second magnetic material from the first magnet or first magnetic material, the engaging member that is biased to move forward can be quickly returned to its forward position.

[0021] In the automatic locking device of the present invention, the authentication unit may be configured to authenticate a registered specific unit to be authenticated. With this configuration, for example, by registering the user's fingerprint or other authentication information, an automatic locking device can be configured that cannot be unlocked by unregistered fingerprints or other information belonging to someone other than the user, thereby reducing the risk of the lock being unlocked by someone other than the user.

[0022] In the automatic locking device of the present invention, the operating body has a base on which the operating lever is mounted in an operable manner, and the base body may be separate from the base and configured to be mounted on the base. With this configuration, even if the operating mechanism is already installed on the building fixture, the automatic locking device can be retrofitted by attaching the base to the pedestal, and an automatic locking mechanism can be added to the existing operating mechanism.

[0023] In the automatic locking device of the present invention, the base body may be fastened together with the base. With this configuration, the automatic locking device can be attached to the door or window together with the operating mechanism, eliminating the need to drill holes or perform other modifications to the door or window in order to attach the automatic locking device.

[0024] In the automatic locking device of the present invention, the engaging member protrudes forward from the base body in the engaged state, and at least a portion of the engaging member may be positioned so as to be covered by the operating lever in the engaged state. With this configuration, by covering at least a portion of the engaging member while it is engaged with the operating lever, the exposure of the engaging member can be reduced, thereby improving the aesthetic appearance.

[0025] The building fixture of the present invention is characterized by comprising the operating body and automatic locking device of the present invention described above. With this configuration, it is possible to construct a building component that provides the same effects as the automatic locking device of the present invention described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] 1...Sliding window (joinery), 10...Automatic locking device, 11...Base body, 12...Case, 121...Case body, 122...Front wall section, 123...Mounting section, 13...Back plate, 131...Guide pin, 14...Circuit board, 141...Control unit, 15...Engaging member, 151...Main body, 152...Latch, 153...Magnet, 16...Authentication unit, 17...Drive unit, 171...Motor, 172...Metal movable body (magnetic material), 173...Transmission mechanism, 174,175...Limit switch, 18...Compression coil spring (biasing member) ), 2...Window frame (frame body), 21...Upper frame, 22...Lower frame, 23...Vertical frame, 3...Outer sash, 30, 40...Frame body, 31, 41...Upper frame, 32, 42...Lower frame, 33, 43...Vertical frame, 35, 45...Face material, 4...Inner sash, 431...Side wall section, 45...Face material, 5...Crescent lock, 51...Lock body, 52...Base, 53...Lock hook, 531...Hook piece, 532...Operating lever, 533...Groove section, 54...Manual lock, 58...Lock receiver, 7...Screw, 8...Power supply, C...Rotation axis, P1...Engaged position, P2...Disengaged position.

Claims

1. An automatic locking device that automatically locks the operating lever of an operating mechanism used in a door or window fitting, The system comprises a base body positioned adjacent to the operating lever, an engaging member mounted on the base body so as to be able to move back and forth between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and which is biased to move forward to the engaged position, an authentication unit for authenticating the operation of the automatic locking device, and a drive unit for driving the engaging member based on the authentication by the authentication unit. The drive unit moves the engaging member back to the disengaged position against the forward biasing force. An automatic locking device characterized by the following features.

2. In the automatic locking device according to claim 1, The engaging member is provided with a first magnet or a first magnetic material. The drive unit comprises a motor that operates based on authentication by the authentication unit, and a second magnet or second magnetic material that moves closer to or away from the first magnet or first magnetic material by the operation of the motor. The engaging member is configured to retract to the disengaged position when the second magnet or the second magnetic material approaches the first magnet or the first magnetic material, and to move forward and return to the engaged position when the second magnet or the second magnetic material moves away from the first magnet or the first magnetic material. An automatic locking device characterized by the following features.

3. In the automatic locking device according to claim 1, The authentication unit is configured to authenticate a specific registered unit to be authenticated. An automatic locking device characterized by the following features.

4. In the automatic locking device according to claim 1, The operating body has a base on which the operating lever is mounted so as to be operable, The base body is separate from the base and is configured to be attachable to the base. An automatic locking device characterized by the following features.

5. In the automatic locking device according to claim 4, The base is fastened together with the base. An automatic locking device characterized by the following features.

6. In the automatic locking device according to claim 1, The engaging member protrudes forward from the base body in the engaged state. At least a portion of the engaging member is positioned so as to be covered by the operating lever when engaged. An automatic locking device characterized by the following features.

7. A building fixture characterized by comprising an operating body and an automatic locking device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

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