A door lock with an electric actuator unit to control handle operation

Abstract

A door lock according to the invention has an electric actuator unit (1) to control handle operation in the door lock. The door lock comprises also a bolt (2), a follower (6) for moving the bolt, and two separate torsion units (7, 7A) installed turnably on different sides of the follower (6). The follower is provided with a movable coupling member (9). Force transmission from either side of the lock to the follower (6) through at least one of the torsion units is arranged by means of the movable coupling member (9), which is controlled by the electric actuator unit (5). The door lock further comprises a turnable lever member (10), which is connected to the electric actuator unit, and a connecting piece (11) that is in turnable connection with the lever member and in a sliding connection with the coupling member.

Description

[0001] A door lock with an electric actuator unit to control handle operation

[0002] Field of technology

[0003] The invention relates to a door lock having an electric actuator unit to control handle operation in the door lock.

[0004] Prior art

[0005] Control of a handle operation in a door lock by means of an electric actuator unit can be accomplished in different ways depending on the application. The electric actuator unit can be an electric motor unit or a solenoid unit.

[0006] The arrangement may for instance be such that when a solenoid is energized it allows or makes it possible the right to passage by using a handle, whereby, thus, force transmission from the handle to the bolt of the lock is coupled. Alternatively, the solution may be reversed so that the arrangement allows the right to passage by using a handle when the solenoid is de-energized. The way of operation of the arrangement depends on whether stress is laid on the security of the right to passage or getting out of the locked space or on the security of the locked space as such. Embodiments having an electric motor use energy during the driving of the electric motor.

[0007] In many solutions the arrangement is such that from outside the door can always be opened by means of a key operated lock mechanism and / or an electric identification arrangement, and from inside by means of a handle, a turning knob or the like, whereby selective coupling of the handle operation presumes at the same time a two-piece or divided spindle of operation. However, some other applications utilize single piece spindle.

[0008] WO 02059440 discloses a door lock with a solenoid controlling the handle operation. The door lock comprises a coupling member, which is turnably connected to a follower. At both sides of the follower there are torsion units. The torsion units are in connection with an operation axis whereto handles at both sides of the door lock can be connected. Force transmission form either side of the door lock to the follower is controlled by the solenoid by turning, via a lever member, the coupling member into a position of force transmission connection with the torsion unit / s. In these kinds of embodiments, a magnet is used with the lever member in order to keep the coupling between the coupling member and the lever member when the coupling member has not been driven to be in the transmission position with the torsion unit / s. Although, this arrangement works properly, wearing can cause inaccuracy in operation, and therefore there can be durability challenges.

[0009] Short description

[0010] The object of the invention is to alleviate or even eliminate the problems said above. The object is achieved in a way described in the independent claims. Dependent claims illustrate different embodiments of the invention.

[0011] A door lock according to the invention has an electric actuator unit to control handle operation in the door lock. The door lock comprises also a bolt, a follower for moving the bolt, and two separate torsion units installed turnably on different sides of the follower. The follower is provided with a movable coupling member, and each torsion unit has a central hole positioned on a common axis which provides an operation axis for handle parts either side of the lock. Force transmission from either side of the lock to the follower through at least one of the torsion units is arranged by means of the movable coupling member, which is controlled by the electric actuator unit. The door lock further comprises a lever member arrangement, which is connected to the electric actuator unit. The lever member arrangement comprises a turnable lever member. The door lock further comprises a connecting piece that is in turnable connection with the lever member and in a sliding connection with the coupling member. The sliding connection us arranged to be hold in different positions of the lever member and the follower. List of figures

[0012] In the following, the invention is described in more detail by reference to the enclosed drawings, where

[0013] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a door lock according to the invention the bolt outside,

[0014] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a door lock according to the invention the bolt inside,

[0015] Figures 3 and 4 illustrates an example of an arrangement of the door lock according to the invention when the coupling member is in an uncoupling position,

[0016] Figure 5 and 6 illustrates an example of an arrangement of the door lock according to the invention when the coupling member is in a coupling position,

[0017] Figure 7 and 8 illustrates an example of an arrangement of the door lock according to the invention when the coupling member is in a coupling position, and the follower has been turned to an unlocking position,

[0018] Figure 9 illustrates an example of an explosion view of parts of the door lock according to the invention, and

[0019] Figure 10 illustrates an example of an explosion view of embodiments of the coupling member and the connecting piece,

[0020] Figure 11 illustrates another example of a door lock according to the invention the bolt outside,

[0021] Figure 12 illustrates the example of figure 11 the torsion unit pressed,

[0022] Figure 13 illustrates the example of figure 11 the bolt outside and the coupling member being in the uncoupling position,

[0023] Figure 14 illustrates the example of figure 11 the torsion unit pressed and the coupling member being in the uncoupling position,

[0024] Figure 15 illustrates other embodiments of an electric actuator unit and a lever member arrangement, and

[0025] Figure 16 illustrates a rod of the lever member arrangement. Description of the invention

[0026] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a door lock 1 according to the invention when its bolt is outside. In other words, the lock is in a locked state. It is worth to note that the locked state may require a so-called dead-bolt function, which is known as such and not described in this description, since it is not an actual part of the invention as such. Figure 2 shows the door lock of figure 1 when the bolt is inside the door lock, in other words the lock is in an unlocked state, and the door, wherein the lock is installed, can be opened.

[0027] As can be seen in the figures 1 and 2 the door lock has a lock case 3. The lock case 1 comprises a front plate 4 with a bolt hole through which a bolt 2 of the lock is movable. In addition, the lock case 1 is provided with an operation axis 8. The operation axis is the place whereto a follower 6 is installed. The follower is turnable in relation to the lock case 3, and the follower as shown in the figures acts on the bolt 2 of the lock through separate force transmission means 12. In the example of figures 1 and 2 the force transmission means 12 comprises plates, a lever, and other possible parts, which are referred together as the transmission means. Depending on the lock type, the follower can naturally be arranged to move the bolt 2 of the lock also directly. So, there are many different embodiments of the door lock according to the invention.

[0028] In practice, in cases when the door lock is provided with handles or knobs the follower 6 can be affected from both sides of the lock case. The handle or the knob on one side of the lock is in connection with a torsion unit 7, which is on same side of the follower 6 than the handle. The same arrangement is on the other side of the door lock. The handle is installed on a spindle, which is in direct contact with the torsion unit 7. A dashed line circle 16 illustrates the handle connected to the spindle. The handle / s can be installed on the door lock according to the invention.

[0029] The handle operation on either side the door lock can be independently operated in the door lock. In these embodiments the spindle is a two-piece spindle i.e. it has separately acting parts on both sides of the lock. However, some embodiments have a single piece spindle, which is operated from both handles / knobs.

[0030] The force transmission required by the handle operation is arranged by means of a coupling member 9, which has two selectable operating positions, a force transmission coupling position, in which the bolt 2 of the lock can be moved by means of the handle, and a force transmission decoupling position, in which the bolt 2 of the lock correspondingly cannot be affected by means of the handle. Figures 1 , 2, and 5 - 8 show the force transmission coupling position. Figures 3 and 4 show the force transmission decoupling position.

[0031] A door lock 1 according to the invention has an electric actuator unit 5 to control handle operation in the door lock. As said the door lock comprises also the bolt 2, a follower 6 for moving the bolt (in many embodiments through separate transmission means), and two separate torsion units 7, 7A installed turnably on different sides of the follower 6. The follower is provided with a movable coupling member 9, and each torsion unit has a central hole 71 , 71 A positioned on a common axis which provides an operation axis 8 for handle parts either side of the lock. Force transmission from either side of the lock to the follower 6 through at least one of the torsion units 7, 7A is arranged by means of the movable coupling member 9, which is controlled by the electric actuator unit 5. The door lock further comprises a lever member arrangement 101 , which is connected to the electric actuator unit 5. The lever member arrangement comprises a turnable lever member 10. The door lock also comprises a connecting piece 11 that is in turnable connection with the lever member 10 and in a sliding connection with the coupling member 9. The sliding connection is arranged to be hold in different positions of the lever member 10 and the follower 6.

[0032] As said figure 3 and 4 show the force transmission decoupling position. The lever member 10 has been driven by the electric actuator unit 5 to a position wherein it has turned the coupling member 9 to the force transmission decoupling position through the connecting piece 11. The follower 6 is in a locking position, which means that the bolt is outside as illustrated in figure 1. The torsion units are in their basic position. The basic position means that the torsion unit is not turned by the handle or knob through the spindle.

[0033] When the door lock is intended to unlock, and naturally to open the door, the electric actuator unit 5 is driven to turn the lever member 10, which in turn moves (in a turning fashion) the coupling member 9 away from the force transmission decoupling position to the force transmission coupling position through the connecting piece 11 . Figures 5 and 6 illustrates the force transmission coupling position of the coupling member. In this position the free end 93 of the coupling member is towards a drive cam 72 of the torsion unit / s 7, 7A. The follower 6 is still in the locking position in figures 5 and 6.

[0034] When the handle, for example the handle that is supposed to be in front of the figures 3 - 8, is turned, the torsion unit 7 is turned as well via the spindle at the operation axis 8. The turning drive cam 72 pushes the free end of the coupling member 9, which directs the turning force to the follower 6 through the turnable connection 62 between the follower and the coupling member 9. So, the follower turns to an unlocking position, which is illustrated in figures 7 and 8.

[0035] When the turning of the handle ends. Springs in the handle arrangement and in the door lock (not shown in the figures) return the torsion unit 7 to the basic position and the follower to the locking position, in other words to the situation of figures 5 and 6. Further, when the electric actuator unit 5 is drove back to the situation of figures 3 and 4, the lever member 10 turns and moves the coupling member 9 to the force transmission decoupling position through the coupling member 11.

[0036] As can be seen from the figures the arrangement keeps the coupling between the lever member 10 and the coupling member 9 through the connecting piece 11 in all possible positions of the lever member and the coupling member. The torsion unit 7 and the follower can be in any possible position. In other words, the sliding connection between the connecting piece and the coupling member holds the coupling in different positions of the lever member and the follower. Also in a situation not illustrated in the figures, wherein a moment is such that the follower 6 is in the unlocking position (figure 7) and the pressing of the turned handle is finishing, and the electric actuator unit 5 is driven back to the situation of figures 3 and 4 to the force transmission decoupling, the sliding connection between the connecting piece 11 and the coupling member 9 holds.

[0037] The connecting piece 11 having the turnable connection with the lever member 10 and the sliding connection with the coupling member 9 provides a good reachability of the coupling in different positions of said parts. At the same time the coupling is reliable, because all elements, i.e. the lever member 10, the connecting piece 11 and the coupling piece 9, should be moved together to change the position of the coupling member 9 unintentionally, which in practice is very unlikely.

[0038] The figures show a convenient embodiment wherein the sliding connection between the coupling member 9 and the connecting piece 11 comprises an arced connection surface 111 on the connecting piece and an arched counter connection surface 91 on the coupling member. The connection surface 111 comprises a holding member 112, and the counter connection surface 91 comprises a counter holding member 92. The holding member and the counter holding member are arranged to hold the sliding connection in different positions of the lever member and the follower.

[0039] The arced connection surface 111 and the arched counter connection surface 91 provide a smooth slide between the connecting piece and the coupling member in all positions. The surfaces 111 , 91 are preferably sectors of the circles having the central points at the operating axis 8. So, the figures show the embodiment wherein the arced connection surface 111 on the connecting piece has a concave shape and the arched counter connection surface 91 on the coupling member has a convex shape. It is also possible that the surfaces 111 , 91 may also have other shapes, like a sector of an oval shape, but in other cases the sliding of the connecting piece and the coupling member may be not so smooth.

[0040] The figures show the embodiment wherein the holding member 112 is an arched groove having a holding profile, and the counter holding member 92 is an arched projection part having a counter holding profile. However, it is possible to have an embodiment wherein the holding member 112 is an arched projection part having a holding profile, and the counter holding member 92 is an arched groove having a counter holding profile. The embodiment of the figures is considered to be more convenient and a material saving solution.

[0041] The holding profile and the counter holding profile can be matching T-profiles as illustrated in the figures, mushroom profiles or other suitable profiles.

[0042] The turnable connection between the connecting piece 11 and the lever member 9 is at one end 114 of the connecting piece and at one end 14 of the of the lever member. In that way a good flexible reachability to the coupling member 9 is achieved.

[0043] The connection surface 111 and the counter connection surface 91 are longitudinal surfaces, conveniently ached longitudinal surfaces. Due to the longitudinal surfaces to provide the sliding connection, the connection can be maintained in different positions of the follower 6. It is worth to note that the connection surface 111 and the counter connection surface 91 comprise the holding member 112, and the counter holding member 92 as said above.

[0044] The lever member 10 is pivoted 17 in relation to the lock case or the body of the electric actuator unit 5. The lever member has a cam part 15, which is in connection with the moveable element 551 of the electric actuator unit 5. The lever member has another projection part 14, whose free end is a pivot 13 in the embodiment of the figures. The pivot 13 is installed into an opening 113 at the end 114 of the connecting piece providing the turnable connection between the connecting piece 11 and the lever member 9. The turnable connection can be made in another way also, like the opening being at the projection part 14 and the pivot at the connecting piece 11.

[0045] The turnable connection between the coupling member 9 and the follower 6 can be made as illustrated in the figures having a pivot projection 62 on the follower and a groove / s 94 on the other end of the coupling member. This connection can also be made in another way.

[0046] The electric actuator unit 5 drives the lever member 10, i.e. rotates, to a desired position. The desired position can be such that the follower is rotated to the unlocking position or to the locking position depending on the embodiment. Return of the lever member to its initial position may be provided by springs not illustrated in the figures. A further embodiment is that the electric actuator unit drives the lever member from the locking position to the unlocking position and back from the unlocking position to the locking position, or vice versa. The electric actuator unit 5 can be an electric motor (as in the embodiment of the figures), or a solenoid.

[0047] In order to move the force transmission means 12 the follower has a nose 64 to be in contact with the force transmission means or directly with the bolt 2. As can be seen in figures 1 and 2 the follower can comprise another nose 63 which is in contact with a spring element 18 that biases the follower towards the locking position.

[0048] Figure 9 illustrates an explosive view of one possible solution of the follower 6, the torsion units 7, 7A, the coupling member 9, the connecting piece 11 , the lever member 10 and the electric actuator unit 5. Figure 10 shows the coupling member and the connecting piece in more detail. The embodiment has two rotatable torsion units at both sides of the follower. The coupling member 9 comprises two branches 95 having said grooves 94. The coupling member can be made so wide that it can be against the drive cams 72 of both torsion units. However, it may be possible to have an embodiment where the coupling member is designed to work with only one of the torsion units. As can be noticed the invention can be made in many different ways.

[0049] Figure 11 illustrates another example of a door lock according to the invention the bolt outside. Figure 12 illustrates the example of figure 11 the bolt inside.

[0050] In this embodiment the electric actuator unit 5A has a different structure, and also the lever member arrangement has been implemented in a different way. In this embodiment. Figure 15 shows the electric actuator unit 5A, and the lever member arrangement 102 of this embodiment. This electric actuator unit has a different moveable element 51. The lever member arrangement 102 is connected to this moveable element 51 of the electric actuator unit 5A. The lever member arrangement 102 comprises a lever member 10A, which is turnably connected to the connecting piece 11 and also turnably connected 59 to the lock body 3 or the body 54 of the electric actuator unit.

[0051] The lever member arrangement 102 comprises a rod 52 and a spring 53 around the rod. The rod is illustrated in figure 16. The rod has support surfaces 57C, 57D, and the spring 53 is also between the support surfaces. The rod also comprises a connection element 58A, which is rotatable connected to the lever member 10A. The connection element is a pin or a hole depending on an embodiment. The same applies to the other rotatable / turnable connections in this description. The connection element is conveniently situated on a projection 58 at one end of the rod.

[0052] The door lock also comprises second support surfaces 57E, 57F, which are parts of the moveable element 51 , or the second support surfaces belong to a separate part or parts. The separate part / s is connected to the moveable element 15, and the separate part / s is an element / s of the lever member arrangement 102. The figures show the embodiment where second support surfaces 57E, 57F are parts 57A, 57B of the moveable element 51 . These parts have a hole or a socket for the rod, and the rod can move in relation to the parts. The spring is also between the second support surfaces 57E, 57F.

[0053] The lever member arrangement illustrated in figure 15 is convenient in order to take care circumstances where the handle is pressed at the same time when the electric actuator unit is driven to decouple or couple the coupling member 9 with the torsion unit 7. Figure 12 shows a situation where the electric actuator unit 5A is driven to turn the coupling member 9 to the force transmission decoupling position, but because the torsion unit is pressed at the same time the turning drive cam 72 of the torsion unit keeps the coupling member at the force transmission coupling position. The connection piece 11 , the lever 10A, and the rod do not move properly either. In this case the spring 53 tensions, due to the movement of the second support surface 57F towards the support surface 57C. The moveable element 51 moves and therefore the second support surfaces move since they are in connection with moveable element. When the handle is not pressed any more, the coupling member, the connecting piece, the lever, and the rod are moved by the tensioned spring 53 to the force transmission decoupling position illustrated in figure 13.

[0054] Figure 14 shows another situation where the electric actuator unit 5A is driven to turn the coupling member 9 to the force transmission coupling position, but because the torsion unit 7 is pressed at the same time the turning drive cam 72 of the torsion unit keeps the coupling member at the force transmission decoupling position. The connection piece 11 , the lever 10A, and the rod 52 do not move properly either. In this case the spring 53 tensions, due to the movement of the second support surface 57E towards the support surface 57D. The moveable element 51 moves and therefore the second support surfaces move since they are in connection with moveable element. When the handle is not pressed any more, the coupling member, the connecting piece, the lever, and the rod are moved by the tensioned spring 53 to the force transmission coupling position illustrated in figure 11.

[0055] The rod 52 may have a hole 52A wherein the jut 56 of the electric actuator unit 5A is placed. The jut is smaller than the hole, and together they provide a limiter to move the lever member arrangement.

[0056] Further, as can be noted in figures 1 , 2, and 11 - 14 the door lock according to the invention may also have a key operation arrangement comprising a place 200 where to a key cylinder lock can be installed and the turning force of the key can be transmitted to the bolt 2 through the force transmission means 12.

[0057] It is evident from the above that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described in this text but can be implemented in many other different embodiments within the scope of the independent claims.

Claims

Claims1. A door lock having an electric actuator unit to control handle operation in the door lock, the door lock comprising a bolt (2), a follower (6) for moving the bolt, and two separate torsion units (7, 7A) installed turnably on different sides of the follower (5), the follower being provided with a movable coupling member (9), each torsions unit having a central hole (71 ,71 A) positioned on a common axis which provides an operation axis (8) for handle parts either side of the lock, whereby force transmission from either side of the lock to the follower (6) through at least one of the torsion units is arranged by means of the movable coupling member (9), which is controlled by the electric actuator unit (5) characterised in that the door lock comprises a lever member arrangement (101), which is connected to the electric actuator unit (5), the lever member arrangement having a turnable lever member (10), the door lock further comprising a connecting piece (11) that is in turnable connection with the lever member (10) and in a sliding connection with the coupling member (9), the sliding connection being arranged to be hold in different positions of the lever member (10) and the follower (6), and the sliding connection between the coupling member (9) and the connecting piece (11) comprises an arced connection surface (111) on the connecting piece and an arched counter connection surface (91) on the coupling member, the connection surface (111) comprising a holding member (112) and the counter connection surface(91) comprising a counter holding member (92), the holding member and the counter holding member being arranged to hold the sliding connection in different positions of the lever member (10) and the follower (6).

2. A door lock according to claim 1 , characterised in that the arced connection surface (111) on the connecting piece has a concave shape and an arched counter connection surface (91) on the coupling member has a convex shape.

3. A door lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the holding member (112) is an arched groove having a holding profile, and the counter holding member(92) is an arched projection part having a counter holding profile.

4. A door lock according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the holding member (112) is an arched projection part having a holding profile, and the counter holding member (92) is an arched groove having a counter holding profile.

5. A door lock according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in that the holding profile and the counter holding profile are matching T-profiles or mushroom profiles.

6. A door lock according to any of claim 1 - 5, characterised in that the turnable connection between the connecting piece and the lever member is at one end (114) of the connecting piece (11) and at one end (14) of the of the lever member (10).

7. A door lock according to claim 6, characterised in that the lever member arrangement (10) is connected to a moveable element (551 , 51 ) of the electric actuator unit (5).

8. A door lock according to claim 7, characterised in that the lever member (10, 10A) is also turnably connected (17, 59) to a lock body (3) or a body of the electric actuator unit.

9. A door lock according to claim 8, characterised in that the lever member (10) has a cam part (15), which is in connection with the moveable element of the electric actuator unit.

10. A door lock according to claim 8, characterised in that the lever member arrangement (102) comprises a rod (52) and a spring (53) around the rod, the rod having support surfaces (57C, 57D), and the spring being also between the support surfaces, the rod also comprising a connection element (58A), which is rotatable connected to the lever member (10A), the door lock also comprising second support surfaces (57E, 57F) being as parts of the moveable element (51), or belonging to a separate part or parts, the separate part / s being connected to the moveable element and being an element / s of the lever member arrangement, the spring being also between the second support surfaces (57E, 57F).

11. A door lock according to claim 10, characterised in that the rod has a hole (52A) wherein a jut (56) being smaller than the hole is placed.

12. A door lock according to any of claim 1 - 11 , characterised in that the electric actuator unit (5) is an electric motor, or a solenoid.

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