Locking device comprising a preload protection system

Abstract

Locking device comprising a motor, a mechanism for locking the device and a mechanism for activating / deactivating the locking mechanism, in which the activation / deactivation mechanism comprises a rotary actuator which is driven by the motor, a transmission assembly which transmits the unlocking movement to the locking mechanism, and an axial spring located between the motor and the transmission assembly, characterized in that the activation / deactivation mechanism comprises a kinematic device, located between the motor and the axial spring, for transforming the rotary movement of the motor into a linear movement, such that the spring receives, from the kinematic device, an action without a rotational component along an axial axis.

Description

[0001] LOCKING DEVICE COMPRISING A PRELOAD PROTECTION SYSTEM

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The present invention relates to locking devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to locking devices with a preload protection system. Locking devices typically comprise a motor or actuator used to overcome the pressure exerted on the latch that prevents its release by the door opener. This arrangement is common in various locking devices, especially electric locking devices, including electromechanical door openers.

[0004] In the context of locking devices, a latch is a movable element that secures the door. It is housed in a recess and, when activated by an actuating mechanism, retracts or unlocks, allowing it to be pushed by a handle. This enables controlled opening of the access point controlled by the locking device. The latch typically takes the form of a beveled strike plate. In rotating latches, the portion furthest from the axis of rotation is shaped like a point, sometimes referred to as a jaw.

[0005] Actuators in a locking device are typically used to unlock a latch by applying force to it or to elements that allow its release. These actuators may include, for example, a motor.

[0006] Preload refers to the extra resistance the actuator must overcome to release or engage the latch. This typically occurs when an opening action on the door or other closing mechanism takes place before the unlocking command is generated. For example, in the case of a door opener, this happens when the user pushes the door open before the opener engages.

[0007] In known door openers, in cases where a preload occurs, the actuator may be receiving a resistance greater than it can overcome, but this can lead to the possibility of overheating of the actuator, especially in the case of a motor.

[0008] Document DE102022132983B3 discloses a door opener comprising an actuator with a motor, a threaded rotating shaft, and a two-ended spring. The first end is attached to the threaded shaft to displace the spring in the direction the shaft extends as it rotates. The second end is coupled to a locking element, thus allowing a latch to be unlocked when the spring has displaced the locking element due to the rotation of the actuator.

[0009] One of the most important risks to consider is that the spring must be screwed onto the actuator and attached to the locking element. If the spring were to detach from either or both of these elements, the door opener would become inoperable because the locking element would be unable to move to the unlocked position. This would also cause the motor to run continuously without performing its function, potentially leading to overheating.

[0010] US patent 6076870A discloses a door opener comprising a spring attached at one end to a motor post and at the other end to an actuating pin. The spring is fixed to the threaded portion of the actuating pin at that end, and the distal end of the post extends between the coils of the spring. Rotation of the motor post causes the post to engage the spring, tensioning or compressing the spring sufficiently to slide the actuating pin longitudinally, thereby changing the door's position from closed to open.

[0011] Again, there is a risk that the spring may separate from one or both of the elements, rendering the door opener unusable and potentially causing the motor to overheat.

[0012] Therefore, it is necessary to obtain a locking device with a preload protection system that prevents the possibility of engine overheating.

[0013] It is an objective of the present invention to disclose a door opener that solves the problems described above. More specifically, the present invention discloses a locking device comprising a motor, a locking mechanism, and an activation / deactivation mechanism for the locking mechanism. The activation / deactivation mechanism comprises a rotary actuator driven by the motor, a transmission assembly that transmits the unlocking motion to the locking mechanism, and an axial spring located between the motor and the transmission assembly. The activation / deactivation mechanism is characterized in that it comprises a kinematic device, located between the motor and the axial spring, for transforming the rotary motion of the motor into linear motion, such that the spring receives an action from the kinematic device without a rotational component along an axial axis.

[0014] This means that the spring can be moved in the axial direction to the activation / deactivation mechanism of the locking mechanism without the spring being fully compressed.

[0015] As mentioned, the activation / deactivation mechanism of the locking mechanism comprises the transmission assembly, the axial spring, and the kinematic device. The combination of these three elements transforms the motor's action into a linear movement that locks and unlocks the locking device.

[0016] Preferably, the kinematic device comprises a pusher piece. More preferably, the pusher piece is a threaded piece comprising a threaded hole, and the kinematic device further comprises a threaded actuator (e.g., a threaded bolt) that is threaded into the threaded hole. Even more preferably, the pusher piece is guided. In this way, once the threaded actuator rotates by means of the motor's action, the threaded piece can transform the rotary motion into linear motion.

[0017] It is also feasible to use an actuator without a threaded part. For this purpose, the device preferably comprises a ramp wheel having a circularly developed ramp surface, the wheel being connected to the motor's shaft, and more preferably, the pusher piece comprises a projection in contact with the ramp wheel, such that the rotation of the ramp wheel causes a displacement of the pusher piece. Preferably, the transmission assembly comprises a sliding piece and a transmission piece, where the sliding piece is configured to slide along the transmission piece.

[0018] Preferably, the sliding piece comprises a hole configured to receive one end of the threaded actuator. More preferably, the sliding piece comprises a groove with a depth equal to or greater than the length of the fully compressed axial spring, configured to accommodate the axial spring as it is pushed axially into the groove.

[0019] The groove allows for a greater range of action for the engine in cases where a preload effort is being exerted, as it gives more space to the spring to compress.

[0020] Preferably, the transmission component comprises a projection configured to be inserted into a recess within the locking device housing, where the recess acts as a guide. This prevents the projection from dislodging from its predetermined position. By arranging the projection so that it cannot fully dislodge from the recess, the risk of the transmission assembly shifting out of position and damaging the locking device is avoided.

[0021] More preferably, the transmission component comprises at least one return spring on the side where the projection is located, wherein the at least one return spring is configured to return the transmission component to its original position. This ensures that the locking device returns to a closed position after being opened in all cases.

[0022] Preferably, the threaded actuator portion located between the threaded part and the sliding part is encased by the axial spring. This allows the threaded actuator to act as an axle for the axial spring, preventing potential buckling that could lead to malfunction of the locking device. Also preferably, none of the springs in the activation / deactivation mechanism are compressed in the closed position, so that the initial resistance of the springs to the unlocking movement is minimized.

[0023] Preferably, the locking mechanism comprises the transmission piece and a locking pin attached to the transmission piece by means of a gripping element.

[0024] Preferably, in the event of a preload force being applied, the device is configured to move to an open position once the preload force is exceeded. This ensures that once an opening signal has been given, even if a prolonged period has passed without the locking device being able to open due to a preload force too high for the motor to overcome, the lock will always reach the unlocked position once the force is exceeded.

[0025] Once the motor is deactivated, if the locking mechanism's activation / deactivation mechanism is detected to have reached the unlocked position, the spring returns the activation / deactivation mechanism and the actuator to their original locked position thanks to its elastic properties. If the mechanism has not yet reached the unlocked position, the actuator remains in its end-of-stroke position, and the spring drives the activation / deactivation mechanism to the unlocked position once the preload force has decreased to a value less than or equal to the motor's power.

[0026] Preferably, the locking device is an electromechanical door opener.

[0027] For a better understanding of the description and characteristics of the present invention, drawings of an example embodiment of the present invention are attached as an explanatory, but not limiting, example.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a locking device according to the present invention without the back portion or the latch. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the arrangement of the threaded part, the axial spring, and the sliding part.

[0029] Figure 3 shows a front view of the transmission assembly, axial spring, and kinematic device.

[0030] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the locking mechanism.

[0031] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the locking device without the back part, where the arrangement of the transmission piece and the locking pin can be seen.

[0032] Figure 6 shows a sectioned front view of the locking device in the closed position without the axial spring compressed.

[0033] Figure 7 shows a sectioned front view of the locking device in the open position without the axial spring compressed.

[0034] Figure 8 shows a sectioned front view of the locking device in the closed position in a preloaded situation.

[0035] Figure 9 shows a sectioned front view of the locking device in the open position with the locking pin locked.

[0036] Figure 10 shows a sectioned front view of a second embodiment of a locking device according to the present invention.

[0037] Figure 11 shows a front view of an activation / deactivation mechanism for a locking device according to the present invention.

[0038] Figure 12 shows a sectioned front view of an activation / deactivation mechanism of a locking device according to the present invention.

[0039] Figure 13 shows a front perspective view of the arrangement of a kinematic device and a transmission assembly according to the present invention. Figure 14 shows a rear perspective view of the arrangement of the kinematic device and the transmission assembly according to the present invention.

[0040] Figure 15 shows a sectioned front view of the locking device in the locked position.

[0041] Figure 16 shows a sectioned front view of the locking device in the unlocked position.

[0042] Figure 17 shows a sectioned front view of the locking device in the process of returning to the initial position.

[0043] Figure 18 shows a sectioned front view of the locking device in the locked position with excessive preload.

[0044] Figures 1 to 5 show a locking device 1 in this case a door opener, as well as its components.

[0045] Figure 1 shows a motor 110 and a kinematic device 100 comprising a screw 120 and a pusher piece 130 threaded onto the screw 120. The kinematic device 100 converts the rotary motion of the motor into a translational motion without a rotary component. The kinematic device 100 operates such that when the motor 110 is actuated, it rotates the screw 120, which is threaded onto the pusher piece 130. Because the pusher piece 130 is prevented from rotating, the rotation of the screw 120 causes the pusher piece 130 to move linearly, as can be seen from the arrows in the image, in the axial direction of the screw 120.

[0046] The locking device also comprises a transmission assembly 200, the function of which is to transmit the action of the motor 110 to the locking pin 500 (shown in Figure 4). The transmission assembly 200 comprises a sliding piece 210 and a transmission piece 220. The transmission piece 220, in turn, comprises a projection 221 configured to engage with a recess 222 located inside the locking device housing 1 on the side where the transmission assembly 200 moves to the open position. The projection 221 slides along the recess 222 without fully extending, so that the transmission assembly 200 cannot move from its predetermined positions.

[0047] Like the kinematic device 100, the transmission assembly 200 can be linearly displaced in the axial direction of the screw 120. The sliding piece 210 slides within the transmission piece 220, although the movement of both can be independent of each other, so the movement of one does not necessarily imply the movement of the other.

[0048] Figure 2 shows the pusher piece 130, which has, on a rear face, a threaded recess configured to partially receive the screw 120 and transform the rotary action of the screw 120 into a linear displacement in the axial direction of the screw 120. Likewise, on the opposite face of the pusher piece 130, there is a recess 131 configured to receive one end of the screw 120, which in turn is configured to be wrapped by the spring 300 and keep the spring 300 in the axial direction of the screw 120.

[0049] The pusher piece 130 slides along the sliding piece 210. The pusher piece 130 also has a chamfer 132 configured to facilitate the insertion of the pusher piece 130 into the sliding piece 210, and projections 133 configured to receive the guide 213 of the sliding piece 210. The sliding piece 210 comprises clip-shaped projections 212 which, once the pusher piece 130 is fully inserted into the sliding piece 210, limit the displacement of the pusher piece 130 in the return direction to the closed position of the pusher piece 130 so that it cannot come out of the guide 213.

[0050] The sliding piece 210 also has a hole 211 through which the screw 120 passes. The sliding piece 210 also includes a groove on the face that contacts the spring 300, configured to accommodate the spring 300. In this embodiment, the groove has a depth equal to or greater than that of the spring 300 when it is fully compressed. The spring 300 is located between the kinematic device 100 and the transmission assembly 200, and the connection between the kinematic device 100, the transmission assembly 200, and the spring 300 forms the activation and deactivation mechanism 1000 of the locking mechanism 2000.

[0051] Figure 3 shows the activation and deactivation mechanism 1000 of the locking mechanism 2000. It depicts the kinematic device 100, the motor 110, the transmission assembly 200, the spring 300, and an actuating rod 400, which are the elements comprising the activation and deactivation mechanism 1000. The transmission assembly 200 also includes two springs 223. In the example shown, the springs 223 are located on the side of the projection 221. The springs 223 are configured to return the transmission assembly 200 to its home position.

[0052] Figure 4 shows the locking mechanism 2000, which comprises the transmission piece 220 and a locking pin 500 held to the locking mechanism 2000 by a clamping element 510 in the form of a pincer. Movement of the transmission piece 220 allows the pin 500 to contact the knee lever (not shown in the figures) in the locked position, and movement away from the knee lever to allow it to move to the open position.

[0053] Since pin 500 is fixed to the transmission piece 220 by means of the gripping element 510, when the transmission piece 220 is moved to an open position, it pulls pin 500 with it, so the knee lever is no longer in contact with pin 500 and unlocks the latch.

[0054] Figure 5 shows the arrangement of pin 500 with respect to locking device 1 and the direction in which transmission piece 220 is attached to pin 500.

[0055] Figure 6 shows the locking device 1 in the closed position. In this position, the motor 110 is not actuated, and the springs 300 and 223 are not compressed. Note that the projection 221, even in the closed position, is partially inserted into the recess 222, ensuring that the transmission assembly never moves outside its operating range. In this position, the locking pin 500 is in contact with the knee lever (neither is shown in the figure).

[0056] The pusher piece 130 and the bar 400 are in contact with two microswitches 610 and 620, configured to provide a signal regarding the position of the activation / deactivation mechanism, respectively. The microswitches 610 and 620 are arranged on a plate 600 connected to the electronics of the locking device 1.

[0057] Figure 7 shows the locking device 1 in the open position. The motor 110 has been activated, and the screw 120 has rotated, causing the pusher piece 130 to move to the open position and push the spring 300 linearly. This represents either no preload or a situation where the preload has been exceeded, so the spring 300 has pushed the transmission assembly 200, transmitting only the force necessary to overcome system losses and resistances. If there are no significant resistances, the spring is not fully compressed.

[0058] Figure 8 shows the locking device 1 in the closed position under a preload force sufficient to prevent pin 500 from disengaging. In this situation, the transmission assembly 200 is locked due to the preload applied by an external user. Meanwhile, the motor 110 is active and therefore rotates the screw 120, which advances the pusher piece 130. With the transmission assembly 200 locked, the sliding piece 210 and the transmission piece 220 are stationary. The movement of the pusher piece 130 compresses the spring 300, allowing the pusher piece 130 to complete its full travel even though the transmission piece 220 has not moved.Once the external force on pin 500 is less than or equal to the force exerted by spring 300, spring 300 releases the stored energy, displacing the transmission assembly 200, and consequently the activation / deactivation mechanism 1000, to the open position. Therefore, in the event of a preload force being applied, the locking device 1 is configured to move to an open position once the preload force is exceeded.

[0059] Figure 9 shows the locking device 1 in which, after receiving a closing command, pin 500 is locked in the open position due to the position of the knee lever. This can occur, for example, if the latch is still retracted when a closing command is issued. In this arrangement, after reaching the open position, the pusher piece 130 returns to its initial position due to the motor's action and pulls the sliding piece 210 to the same position thanks to the protrusions 212. These protrusions, due to their clip-like shape, allow the sliding piece 210 to be held by the pusher piece 130 during the return movement. Since pin 500 is locked, the transmission piece 220 remains fixed next to pin 500 in the open position until the knee lever is in its correct position.Once the knee lever allows the pin 500 to move to the locked position, the compressed springs 223 release the stored energy and drive the locking mechanism 2000 to the closed position.

[0060] Figures 10 to 18 show a second embodiment of a locking device 1 according to the present invention, as well as its components.

[0061] To facilitate understanding, elements equal to or equivalent to the elements described above have been identified with identical numerals and, consequently, will not be described in detail.

[0062] The locking device 1 of the second embodiment features a double-latch lock. To facilitate understanding of its operation, only the operation of one side of locking device 1 is shown, as the other side is symmetrical.

[0063] The figures show a base 450 into which the other components fit, a locking mechanism 2000 of the locking device 1, an activation / deactivation mechanism 1000 of the locking mechanism 2000, a motor 110, a cam 700 and a latch 800. In turn, the activation / deactivation mechanism 1000 comprises a kinematic device 100 intended to convert the rotation of the motor 110 into a linear motion, a transmission assembly 200 and a spring 300 located between the kinematic device 100 and the transmission assembly 200.

[0064] Connected to the motor's rotation axis 110 is a ramp wheel 111 with an inclined running surface. The ramp wheel 111 is held in contact with a projection 150, which is attached to a pusher piece 130, such that the rotation of the motor 110 causes the pusher piece 130 to move in a direction parallel to the motor's rotation axis 110.

[0065] The kinematic device 100 also comprises, attached to the pushing piece 130, two perforated protruding parts 140, each having a hole 141. The holes 141 each receive a shaft 240. The perforated protruding parts 140 can slide along the shafts 240, and thus the kinematic device 100 is guided and moves along the direction defined by the shafts 240. Additionally, each shaft 240 is surrounded by an axial spring 223, which also serves as a guide for the axial springs 223. The axial springs 223 are arranged between the base 450 and the locking mechanism 2000.

[0066] The locking mechanism 2000 features a recess 2100 that receives one end of the cam 700. Simultaneously, the cam 700 comprises a recess 710 that receives a projection 810 of the latch 800, thereby enabling the transfer of motion from the latch 800 to the cam 700. The locking mechanism 2000 is also configured to receive the activation / deactivation mechanism 1000 and the shafts 240.

[0067] The transmission assembly 200 has a projection 202 that engages with a recess 101 of the kinematic device 100, such that the transmission assembly 200 limits the movement of the kinematic device 100 in one direction. The transmission assembly also has another projection 201 that limits the movement of the kinematic device 100 in the opposite direction. Additionally, the kinematic device 100 has a groove 102 that partially houses the spring 300 and facilitates axial compression of the spring. The locking device 1 also has a plate (not shown in the figures) comprising two microswitches 610 and 620. These microswitches 610 and 620 are configured to provide a signal regarding the position of the activation / deactivation mechanism.

[0068] Figure 15 shows the locking device 1 in a locked position. In this position, upon receiving the action of the rotational movement of the latch 800, the cam 700 contacts the locking mechanism 2000. The point at which contact occurs between the cam 700 and the locking mechanism 2000 is the point at which locking would occur under preload conditions (locking point). In the locked position, the kinematic device 100 is in contact with the projection 202 of the transmission assembly 200 by means of the recess 101. In this position, the travel of the transmission assembly 200 is limited by the pusher piece 130, which prevents the transmission assembly 200 from losing its position due to the action of the spring 300 located between the transmission assembly 200 and the kinematic assembly 100 (see Figure 12).

[0069] Figure 16 shows the locking device 1 in the unlocked position, either because there is no preload or because the existing preload is manageable, for example, between 0 and 30 kgf, and the system can overcome it. In this case, once the motor 110 is activated, the ramp wheel 111 rotates and moves the kinematic device 100. Since there is no preload or it is manageable, the spring 300, without being significantly compressed, keeps the transmission assembly 200 in an extended position so that it moves together with the kinematic device 100; that is, the activation / deactivation mechanism 1000 moves. With the movement of the activation / deactivation mechanism 1000, the locking mechanism 2000 also moves, causing the cam 700 to rotate and, consequently, unlocking the locking device 1.The displacement of the kinematic device 100 causes a change in the state of microswitches 610 and 620, which are designed to detect the start and end of the travel. The information provided by microswitches 610 and 620 allows the control device to limit the travel and / or operating time of the motor 110. Figure 17 shows an intermediate point in the return process of the locking device 1 to its home position, where the latch 800 has not yet begun its movement. To return to the locked position, the latch 800 is returned to its rest position by the action of a torsion spring (not shown in the figures). Upon returning to its position, the projection 810 of the latch 800 engages with the recess 710 of the cam 700, which has a spring 720 to ensure that the cam is in a position that allows the aforementioned engagement between latch 700 and cam 800.When the latch 800 and cam 700 return to their original position (shown in figure 15), the locking mechanism 2000 has a clear path to return to its original position.

[0070] When the external power supply is removed, a control device (not shown in the figures) commands the motor 110 to return the ramp wheel 111 to its initial position. The kinematic device 100, thanks to a spring 900 arranged between one of the perforated protruding parts 141 and a part of the base 450 located below the microswitch 620, returns to its initial position, pulling the transmission assembly 200 along with it. This allows the locking mechanism 2000 to return to its starting position due to the action of the axial springs 223, provided that the cam 700 and the latch 800 are in the correct position, thus preventing damage to the components of the locking device 1. Once the cam 700 and the latch 800 are in the correct position, the axial springs 223 return the locking mechanism 2000 to its position.As can be seen, the return mechanisms to the initial position of the kinematic device 100, the locking mechanism 2000, and the latch 800 and cam 700 are independent, which protects the integrity of the motor 110, because a situation in which the return of one of the parts cannot return to its original position does not interfere with the control of the motor 110 and sensors 610, 620, which will return to their original position, regardless of the rest of the elements of the system.

[0071] Figure 18 shows the locking device 1 in a locked position under excessive preload, which the system cannot overcome. In this case, the latch 800 attempts to rotate the cam 700, but it remains in contact with the recess 2100 of the locking mechanism 2000. When the external power supply is activated, the motor 110 rotates the ramp wheel 111 and brings the kinematic device 100 to the end of its travel. In this situation, and due to the preload, the transmission assembly 200 has not moved together with the kinematic device 100, so the locking mechanism 2000 has also not moved, and the spring 300 has been compressed, storing energy. When the pusher 130 of the kinematic device 100 reaches the end of its travel, the microswitch 620 changes state and the device control commands the motor 110 to stop, regardless of whether the locking device 1 has changed position.

[0072] In this way, even if the electrical supply is maintained, there will be no blockage or unnecessary voltage supply that could damage the motor 110. Once the preload can be overcome, the energy stored in the spring 300 will move the transmission assembly 200 to the end of its travel, subsequently moving the locking mechanism 2000 and unlocking the locking device 1.

[0073] In this case, the return to the starting position is executed in the same way as explained above.

[0074] Although the invention has been described with respect to examples of preferred embodiments, these should not be considered limiting to the invention, which will be defined by the broadest interpretation of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A locking device comprising a motor, a device locking mechanism, and an activation / deactivation mechanism for the locking mechanism, wherein the activation / deactivation mechanism comprises a rotary actuator driven by the motor, a transmission assembly that transmits the unlocking motion to the locking mechanism, and an axial spring located between the motor and the transmission assembly, characterized in that the activation / deactivation mechanism comprises a kinematic device, located between the motor and the axial spring, for transforming the rotary motion of the motor into a linear motion, such that the spring receives an action from the kinematic device without a rotational component along an axial axis.

2. Locking device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises a ramp wheel having a circularly developed ramp surface, the wheel being connected to the motor's rotation shaft.

3. Locking device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the kinematic device comprises a pusher piece.

4. Locking device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the pusher piece is a threaded piece, which in turn comprises a threaded hole, and a threaded actuator where the threaded actuator is configured to thread into the threaded hole.

5. Locking device according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the pusher piece comprises a projection in contact with the ramp wheel, such that the rotation of the ramp wheel produces a displacement of the pusher piece.

6. Locking device according to claims 1, 3 and 4, characterized in that the transmission assembly comprises a sliding piece and a transmission piece, wherein the sliding piece is configured to slide along the transmission piece.

7. Locking device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the sliding piece comprises a guide that receives the pushing piece, wherein the pushing piece moves along the guide.

8. Locking device according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the sliding piece comprises a hole configured to receive one end of the threaded actuator.

9. Locking device according to claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the sliding piece comprises a groove with a depth equal to or greater than the length of the fully compressed axial spring configured to accommodate the axial spring as it is pushed axially into the groove.

10. Locking device according to claim 6, characterized in that the transmission piece comprises a projection configured to be inserted into a recess, comprised inside the locking device housing, where the recess acts as a guide.

11. Locking device according to claims 6 and 10, characterized in that the transmission piece comprises at least one return spring on the side where the projection is located, wherein the at least one return spring is configured to return the transmission piece to an origin position.

12. Locking device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the threaded actuator portion disposed between the pusher piece and the sliding piece is enclosed by the axial spring.

13. Locking device according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that the locking mechanism comprises the transmission piece and a locking pin attached to the transmission piece by means of a gripping element.

14. Locking device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device is an electromechanical door opener.

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