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

Abstract

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

Description

The present Swedish patent application is filed concurrently with the following related Swedish patent applications by the same applicant. The features of these patent applications are to be considered incorporated by reference into each other. The related patent applications, including the present one, are titled:An electric door lock unit comprising a reversible dual-bevel latchAn electric door lock unit comprising a four-bar linkageAn electric door lock unit with switchable power-to-open and power-to-lock function A door lock unit configured to block a latch when a bolt is extendedTECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention generally pertains to door lock units, and more precisely to an electric door lock unit that comprises a reversible dual-bevel latch. The electric door lock unit may typically be adapted for installation in a door leaf.BACKGROUNDDoor lock units have a vast range of applications, such as at hotels, hospitals, offices, or the like. For certain applications, electric door lock units, for example solenoid or motor locks, are particularly popular. A common type of electric door lock units is activated, e.g. locked or unlocked, by means of a magnetic card, a mobile phone, an RFID tag, a security system, or the like. In other applications, the door lock unit may be operated manually, i.e. without a solenoid or the like.Even though today’s door lock units generally function satisfactorily, there is still room for improvement in terms of security, durability, ease of installation, and cost.SUMMARYA general object of the invention is to meet the challenges mentioned above. In particular, an object is to facilitate installation and keep costs down by providing a door lock unit that is highly adaptable to various applications, such as both left-hand and right-hand opened doors.Preferably, the invention of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanical mechanism that is compact, robust, reliable, and easy to manufacture and assemble. In particular, the number of components, especially moving components, is intended to be reduced. Compact mechanical mechanisms are particularly beneficial in modern electric door units, where space is needed for electric and electronic equipment.In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided an electric door lock unit for installation in a door leaf. The electric door lock unit is typically to interact with a strike plate of a door frame. The door lock unit comprises a casing, a reversible dual-bevel latch, which is configured to be selectively repositionable between a first angular orientation and a second angular orientation for interaction with the strike plate in two opposite operational directions of the door blade, and a latch retainer which is configured to retain the latch in its first and second angular orientations. The latch retainer is movably held in the casing such that the latch is movable between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the casing. The electric door lock unit further comprises an electric actuator unit configured to block and / or unblock the latch in its extended position. The latch comprises a latch distal portion comprising two opposing bevelled faces, and a latch proximal portion configured to be retained by the latch retainer. The latch retainer comprises a retainer interface configured to retain the latch proximal portion, and the latch proximal portion of the latch and the retainer interface of the retainer are configured such that the latch may be selectively retained in the first angular orientation and in the second angular orientation.Advantages involve ensured compact, robust, reliable design, and that the electric door lock unit allows for operation in two opposite operational directions of the door blade. The electric door lock unit may be used in both left-hand and right-hand opened doors, with no need to set the electric door lock unit up for a left / right-hand door. Further, the electric door lock unit makes possible a door being opened and closed without a latch being retracted by means of a handle or an electric drive means, instead the reversible dual-bevel latch may be pushed in by a strike plate or the like both when the door is opened and closed. The electric door lock unit may be referred to as a bi-directional electric door lock unit. Further, the electric door lock unit and its latch and latch retainer are particularly suitable for doors that open and close automatically, operated by door openers.The latch and the latch retainer may be applicable to other kinds of lock units. Therefor, according to a general aspect, there is provided a reversible dual-bevel latch, which is configured to be selectively repositionable between a first angular orientation and a second angular orientation for interaction with a strike plate in two opposite operational, and a latch retainer which is configured to retain the latch in its first and second angular orientations. The latch comprises a latch distal portion comprising two opposing bevelled faces, and a latch proximal portion configured to be retained by the latch retainer. The latch retainer comprises a retainer interface configured to retain the latch proximal portion, and the latch proximal portion of the latch and the retainer interface of the retainer are configured such that the latch may be selectively retained in the first angular orientation and in the second angular orientation. The latch and latch retainer may form a latch assembly. The latch assembly may be referred to as a bi-directional latch assembly.Further advantages and advantageous features of the invention are disclosed in the following description and in the dependent claims.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSBelow embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in whichfigure 1 shows a latch and a latch retainer,figure 2 an exploded view of the latch and a latch retainer of figure 1,figures 3 to 5 show the latch and latch retainer of figures 1 and 2, with the latch in various angular orientations with respect to the latch retainer,figures 6 and 7 are detailed views of the latch of the preceding figures,figure 8 is a detained view of the latch retainer of figures 1 to 5,figure 9 shows the latch and the latch retainer of the previous figures, together with a section of a faceplate and a cover plate of an electric door lock unit, figure 10 is a complete view of the internal components of an electric door lock unit, showing also the latch and the latch retainer of the previous figures, figures 11 and 12 illustrate an operation of the electric door lock unit of figure 10, in particular that the latch may be blocked in an extended position unless an auxiliary latch interacts with e.g. a strike plate,figures 13 and 14 show the electric door lock unit of figures 10 to 12 in two perspective views,figures 15 and 16 illustrate a door frame for a door leaf in which the electric door lock unit may be installed, andfigures 17 to 19 show an alternative latch, also shown in figures 11 and 12, that comprises a first latch part and a second latch part (see especially figure 19) and which may assume a folded state (figures 11, 12 and 17) and a spread state (figure 18).DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTSReferring initially to figures 10 to 16, there is shown an electric door lock unit 1 designed for installation in a door leaf 100 to interact with a strike plate 120 of a door frame 110. The electric door lock unit 1, or lock unit 1, comprises a reversible dual- bevel latch 20. A standard latch may be referred to as a single-bevel latch. Referring especially to figures 3 to 5, the reversible dual-bevel latch 20, or latch 20, is configured to be selectively repositionable between a first angular orientation 20 A and a second angular orientation 20B, allowing it to interact with the strike plate 120 in two opposite operational directions of the door blade 100.Referring to figures 1 to 9, the latch 20 includes a distal portion 20d with two opposing bevelled faces 22a and 22b and a proximal portion 20p configured to be retained by a latch retainer 30 within a casing 10 (denoted in figure 13) of the lock unit 1.As is illustrated, the latch retainer 30 may retain, or hold, the latch 20 in its first and second angular orientations 20A and 20B. The latch retainer 30 is movably held within the casing 10 such that the latch 20 can move between a retracted, or inner, position 20r and an extended, or outer, position 20e relative to the casing 10, as is clear from figure 10. It is to be noted that the latch 20 may protrude from the casing, including its faceplate 12, even when in its retracted position 20r. typically, in this position the latch may protrude a few millimetres, e.g. below 3 millimetres, from the faceplate 12.The retainer interface 32 of the latch retainer 30 is configured to engage with the proximal portion 20p of the latch 20, allowing the latch 20 to be retained in the first and second angular orientations 20 A and 20B.The lock unit 1 also includes an electric actuator unit 40 that is configured to block and / or unblock the latch 20 when it is in its extended position 20e. In the present example, the electric actuator unit 40 is a solenoid. As is customary, the latch may may be resiliently biased towards the extended position. The latch may be straight linearly movable between its retracted and extended positions.As may be particularly clear from figures 1 and 2, the proximal portion 20p and the retainer interface 32 may be mutually shaped with respect to one another. They may be shaped such that the proximal portion 20p may be selectively retained in both angular orientations 20A, 20B. Thereby, the latch 20 may be securely held by the latch retainer 30 both angular orientations. There may be a form fit connection between the proximal portion 20p and the retainer interface 32.The present latch proximal portion 20p comprises two opposing latch cam faces 24a, 24b arranged to engage the retainer interface 32, enabling the retainer 30 to securely hold the latch 20 in both angular orientations 20 A, 20B. The cam faces may form part of a form fit connection.Referring in particular to figures 6 and 7, the latch proximal portion 20p may comprise a latch cam 24 on which the latch cam faces 24a, 24b are arranged. The latch cam 24 and the latch distal portion 20d may extend in a direction Z across a longitudinal latch direction X. In the present example, the extension He of the latch cam 24 is less than the extension Hd of the latch distal portion 20d in the direction Z across the longitudinal latch direction X. In some embodiments, the extension He of the latch cam 24 is may be between 25 to 50 percent of the extension Hd of the latch distal portion 20d. The end of the latch cam 24 may be rounded. The the radius of curvature may be above 1 mm, ensuring high reliability and longevity.The latch proximal portion 20p may comprise a bearing feature 26, or bearing pin, that protrudes from the latch cam 24 in the direction Z across the longitudinal latch direction X. The bearing feature 26 may comprise a bearing face 26b, which is designed to bear against the retainer interface 32 when the latch 20 is positioned in either the first angular orientation 20 A or the second angular orientation 20B. In the present example, the bearing face is semicircular in cross-section, as shown.As illustrated, the bearing feature 26 may protrude from the latch distal portion 20d in the direction Z across the longitudinal latch direction X. When the latch 20 is repositioned between the angular orientations 20 A, 20B, the latch cam faces 24a, 24b slide against the retainer interface 32, causing the retainer 30 to be temporarily pushed away from the latch 20. This may facilitate the latch being securely held in the retainer interface in the two angular orientations, yet allowing a repositioning there between.As is shown, see in particular figure 8, the retainer interface 32 may comprise a retainer cam 34, which comprises two opposing retainer cam faces 34a, 34b that engage the latch cam faces 24a, 24b. The inclinations of the retainer cam faces 34a, 34b may be substantially the same as the inclinations of the latch cam faces 24a, 24b, ensuring proper alignment and secure engagement. Additionally, the retainer interface 32 may include first and second support faces 36a, 36b positioned on either side of the retainer cam 34. An inner end, or back, of the distal portion 20d may bear against the support faces 36a, 36b, see figure 1 and 2.The latch 20 and / or the latch retainer 30 may comprise a magnet 38 for holding the latch 20 securely to the latch retainer 30, which may in particular facilitate handling. At least one of the support faces 36a, 36b may comprise a magnet 38 arranged to magnetically engage with the bearing feature 26 of the latch proximal portion 20p.The latch 20 and the latch retainer 30 may be designed as one-piece components, simplifying the construction and assembly of the lock unit. The latch 20 may be manufactured by moulding, allowing for precise shaping and structural integrity, and low cost. Preferably, the mounding is metal injection moulding, MIM. The latch distal portion 20d and the latch proximal portion 20p may be of substantially the same length along the longitudinal latch direction X, with a length deviation of below 25 percent. Such dimensions may be beneficial for reliability and longevity when the respective portions 20d, 20p of the latch cooperate with a strike plate and the latch retainer.The one-piece latch 20 and the latch retainer 30 further bring the advantages that, there is little risk of that dirt or other debris may accumulate and cause malfunction. The latch and latch retainer may form a two-piece latch assembly.The latch 20 may be mirror- symmetric. As is indicated in figure 7, the latch 20 may be mirror- symmetric about two orthogonal planes A, B. Symmetry allows for flexibility in positioning and assembly.The retainer interface 32 may comprise two separate sections 32A, 32B for retaining the latch 20, such that the latch 20 is positionable in two latch positions that are spaced apart along a longitudinal strike plate direction Z. As is recognised, there exist applications that require the latch to be positioned at different heights of a door leaf. The magnets that may be used to hold the latch to the latch retainer are advantages also when it comes to arranging the latch in the respective latch position. Generally, the magnets facilitate handling the latch and latch retainer with one hand, which is beneficial during assembly.The retainer interface 32 may comprise two separate retainer cams 34, one for each section 32A, 32B. There may be three support faces 36a, 36b, 36c, with one of these faces 36b being positioned between the two retainer cams 34. Each of the support faces 36 may be equipped with a magnet 38. See e.g. figure 8.The latch 20 and the latch retainer 30 are designed such that the latch 20 is not fixedly attached to the latch retainer 30. Again, the latch proximal portion 20p may include a bearing feature 26 that protrudes from the latch cam 24, and the electric door lock unit 1 may comprise a cover plate 50 that is releasably secured, typically screwed, to the casing 10, preventing the latch 20 from being removed from the latch retainer 30 by engaging the bearing feature 26. When the latch is to be removed, or exchanged, or moved between its sections 32A, 32B, the cover plate 50 may first be removed and then reattached.The latch 20 may be configured as a two-part component comprising a first latch part 20’ and a second latch part 20”, see figures 17 to 19. The parts are configured such that they can assume a folded state and a spread state. Such a latch may be referred to as a tulip latch. As is shown, each latch parts 20’, 20” is designed with dual-bevels.The latch parts 20’, 20” may be resiliently biased towards the spread state, ensuring that they assume this position when the latch 20 is not clamped between the latch retainer 30 and the faceplate 12. Apart from any design made for receiving an attachment element, in the present case a screw or bolt that requires threads, the two parts 20’, 20” may be of the same shape which is beneficial from a cost perspective. Any threads may be formed after manufacture, typically be mounding (preferably MIM). The two-part latch may be beneficial e.g. since it may ensure that a door blade is closed without any play.As is to be appreciated, the lock unit 1 with the reversible dual-bevel latch 20 is configured such that when the latch 20 is in the first angular orientation 20A, the first bevelled face 22a is arranged to bear against the strike plate 120 to hinder movement of the door leaf 100.Simultaneously, the second bevelled face 22b is arranged to slide against the strike plate 120, causing the latch 20 and the latch retainer 30 to be pushed into the casing 10, allowing the door leaf 100 to move freely. Similarly, when the latch 20 is in the second angular orientation 20B, the second bevelled face 22b is arranged to bear against the strike plate 120 to hinder movement of the door leaf 100, and the first bevelled face 22a is arranged to slide against the strike plate 120 to push the latch 20 and the latch retainer 30, allowing the door leaf 100 to move freely.The reversible dual-bevel latch 20 may come to use in a mortise lock (or mortise lock), as shown. The reversible dual-bevel latch 20 may be referred to as a mortise latch, or a reversible mortise latch, or a reversible dual- bevel mortise latch. In all examples, the latch may be termed latch bolt or spring latch bolt.In use, the lock unit 1 is typically oriented as shown e.g. in figures 10 and 15. There may be a lower hub, or latch hub, that is rotationally journaled in the lock unit 1 and arranged to move the latch 20, the latch hub optionally being connected to a door handle or an undepicted doorknob. Further, there may be an upper hub, or bolt hub, that is rotationally journaled in the lock unit and arranged to move the latch 20, the bolt hub optionally being connected to e.g. an undepicted emergency handle, an undepicted electric actuator, or an undepicted a key cylinder.It is to be understood that the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings are non- limiting examples of the invention, and that the latter may be modified in many ways within the scope of the appended claims.However, except for the schematic figures 15 and 16, the drawings do disclose a possible actual implementation and should not be regarded as simply serving to give a schematic explanation of the principles of the subject-matter of the invention.Not all components of the electric door unit, shown in particular in figures 10 to 12, are described herein, still a skilled person will be able to clearly and unmistakable recognise from the drawings, including figures 10 to 12, how these components are designed and cooperate. Furthermore, the shapes of e.g. the latch and the latch retainer are not described in full detail herein, and additional features defining their shapes may be derived from in particular figures 1 to 9 and 17 to 19.

Claims

1. Electric door lock unit (1) for installation in a door leaf (100) for cooperation with a strike plate (120) of a door frame (110), wherein the door lock unit (1) comprises- a casing (10),- a reversible double-beveled latch bolt (20), configured to be selectively adjustable between a first angular orientation (20A) and a second angular orientation (20B) for engagement with the strike plate (120) in two opposite directions of movement of the door leaf (100), - a latch holder (30) configured to hold the latch bolt (20) in its first and second angular orientations (20A, 20B), wherein the latch holder (30) is movably arranged in the housing (10) such that the latch bolt (20) is movable between a retracted position (20r) and an extended position (20e) relative to the housing (10), and- an electric actuator unit (40) configured to block and / or release the drop piston (20) in its extended position (20e),wherebythe fall plunger (20) includes a distal portion (20d) including two opposing beveled surfaces (22a, 22b) and a proximal portion (20p) configured to be held by the fall holder (30), the fall holder (30) includes a holding interface (32) configured to hold the proximal portion (20p) of the fall plunger,the proximal portion (20p) of the drop piston (20) and the retaining interface (32) of the drop holder (30) are configured such that the drop piston (20) can be selectively held in the first angular orientation (20A) and in the second angular orientation (20B), and characterized in that the proximal portion (20p) of the drop piston (20) includes two opposing drop cam surfaces (24a, 24b) arranged to cooperate by sliding contact with the retaining interface (32) of the drop holder, whereby the drop holder (30) is temporarily pushed away from the drop piston (20), so that the drop holder (30) can selectively hold the drop piston (20) in the first angular orientation (20A) and in the second angular orientation (20B).

2. The electric door lock assembly (1) of claim 1, wherein the proximal portion (20p) of the latch bolt (20) and the retaining interface (32) of the latch holder are mutually configured relative to each other such that the latch holder (30) can selectively retain the latch bolt (20) in the first angular orientation (20A) and in the second angular orientation (20B).

3. Electric door lock unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the proximal part (20p) of the deadbolt (20) comprises a deadbolt cam (24) on which deadbolt cam surfaces (24a, 24b) are arranged, wherein the deadbolt cam (24) and the distal part (20d) of the deadbolt (20) extend in a direction (Z) transverse to a longitudinal deadbolt direction (X), and an extension (Hc) of the deadbolt cam (24) is less than an extension (Hd) of the distal part (20d) in the direction (Z) transverse to the longitudinal deadbolt direction (X).

4. Electric door lock assembly (1) according to claim 3, wherein the proximal portion (20p) of the deadbolt (20) comprises a bearing portion (26) projecting from the deadbolt cam (24) in the direction (Z) transverse to the longitudinal deadbolt direction (X), wherein the bearing portion (26) comprises a bearing surface (26b) arranged to abut against the holder interface (32) when the deadbolt (20) is in the first angular orientation (20A) and in the second angular orientation (20B).

5. An electric door lock assembly (1) according to claim 4, wherein the bearing member (26) projects from the distal portion (20d) of the deadbolt (20) in the direction (Z) transverse to the longitudinal deadbolt direction (X).

6. An electric door lock assembly (1) according to claim 5, wherein the retainer interface (32) comprises a retainer cam (34) comprising two opposing retainer cam surfaces (34a, 34b), and wherein the latch cam surfaces (24a, 24b) are arranged to cooperate with the retainer cam surfaces (34a, 34b).

7. Electric door lock unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the latch bolt (20) and / or the latch holder (30) comprises a magnet (38) for holding the latch bolt (20) against the latch holder (30).

8. Electric door lock unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the latch bolt (20) is in one piece and the latch holder (30) is in one piece.

9. Electric door lock unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the latch bolt (20) is mirror symmetrical.

10. Electric door lock unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holder interface (32) comprises two separate sections (32A, 32B) for holding the deadbolt (20), such that the deadbolt is positionable in two deadbolt positions that are spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal strike plate direction (Z).

11. Electric door lock unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the latch bolt (20) is not fixedly attached to the latch holder (30).

12. An electric door lock assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the latch bolt (20) comprises a first latch bolt portion (20') and a second latch bolt portion (20") and the latch bolt (20) is configured such that the first and second portions can assume a collapsed state and an extended state.

13. An electric door lock unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, configured such that,when the drop piston (20) is in the first angular orientation (20A),the first chamfered surface (22a) is arranged to abut against the strike plate (120) to prevent movement of the door leaf (100), andthe second chamfered surface (22b) is arranged to slide against the strike plate (120) to cause the latch piston (20) and latch holder (30) to be pressed into the housing (10) so as not to impede movement of the door leaf (100), andwhen the drop piston (20) is in the second angular orientation (20B),the second chamfered surface (22b) is arranged to abut against the strike block (120) to prevent movement of the door leaf (100), andthe first chamfered surface (22a) is arranged to slide against the strike plate (120) to cause the latch piston (20) and latch holder (30) to be pressed into the housing (10) so as not to impede movement of the door leaf (100).