ES2969407T3 - A door lock operating device for operating a door lock, and an alarm installation with said door lock operating device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a door lock actuation device (10) for operating a door lock, comprising a housing (12) having an interface side for mounting on a door (1), an output member ( 16) adapted to cooperate with the door lock, an actuation device (14) operatively connected to the output element (16), a control (22) for controlling the operation of the actuation device (14), a battery compartment (18 ) adapted to receive at least one battery (20) that powers the drive device (14) and the control (22), a battery cover (26) fixed to the housing (12), the battery cover (26) being removable to allow access to the battery compartment (18), and a locking mechanism (32, 36) to lock the battery cover (26) to the housing (12), the locking mechanism (32, 36) being accessible. only from the interface side of the housing (12). The invention also relates to an alarm installation comprising a central unit and a door lock operating device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the central unit is adapted to activate an alarm if signals from the accelerometer indicate that the door lock actuation device (10) is being manipulated. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

A door lock operating device for operating a door lock, and an alarm installation with said door lock operating device

The invention relates to a door lock actuation device for operating a door lock. Such door lock actuation devices are sometimes known as "smart locks" and allow the bolt of a door lock to be electrically opened and closed. The term "smart lock" will hereinafter be used synonymously with such a door lock operating device.

In general, a smart lock of this type takes on the function of a mechanical key. Allows operation of the door lock only to authorized persons, for example, those carrying a transponder or a smartphone with an application connected to the smart lock, and moves a deadbolt of the door lock from the closed position to a open position so that the door can be opened, or from the open position to the closed position so that the door is locked.

A typical smart lock comprises an electric motor that provides mechanical power to operate the bolt, batteries to provide electrical power to operate the motor, and a control, also powered from the battery, to control the operation of the motor. The control receives an authorization signal indicating that an authorized person is near the door equipped with the smart lock.

To provide a high level of security, certain measures must be taken both mechanically and electronically to prevent unauthorized persons from operating the smart lock and/or triggering an opening process. Some of the security measures are clearly at the electronic level (for example, the encryption of signals exchanged between, for example, a smartphone and the control), while others are purely mechanical (for example, the binding of the smart lock with the door itself). However, there are also security measures that affect both mechanical and electronic aspects, such as measures that prevent unauthorized access to the interior of the smart lock and, therefore, prevent manipulation of electrical and electronic components.

Document CN 108266066 A discloses an electronic lock for a locker (such as might be provided in a gym). A lock box, a lock cylinder, a circuit board, a motor assembly, a coupling and decoupling mechanism, and a battery assembly are all mounted within a housing. A button assembly is mounted on the outer side of the housing. The button assembly, motor assembly and battery assembly are electrically connected to the circuit board. A slip is mounted on an output shaft of the motor assembly. On the outside of the housing there is a handle. The lock cylinder is mounted in the lock case. The end of the lock cylinder, provided with a lock hole, is fixed in a hole for the handle shaft. The hole for the lock is exposed on the outside of the handle. A spring bolt mounted on the lock cylinder is exposed outside the inside side of the case. The engagement and disengagement mechanism is located between the latch and the handle and adopts mechanical engagement and disengagement.

US 2015/287254 A1 discloses electronic locking devices that can employ an accelerometer to detect an acceleration associated with the displacement of a part of an electronic locking device, for example, the displacement of a housing provided around a door handle which includes a key hole. The housing can be opened to allow the use of a mechanical key to unlock the lock. An accelerometer can be secured to the movable part of the housing, which moves to expose the door handle and keyhole. A separate housing, called a control panel, has been provided on the protected side of the door; so that the independent housing contains the lock's power supply, a processor and a transceiver.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a smart lock that has a higher degree of security.

To this end, the invention provides an intelligent lock for operating a door lock, comprising a housing having an interface side intended to be mounted on a door, an output element configured to cooperate with the door lock, a drive operatively connected to the output element, a control for controlling the operation of the drive device, a battery compartment configured to receive at least one battery that powers the drive device and the control, a battery cover secured to the housing, being the removable battery cover to allow access to the battery compartment, and a locking mechanism to lock the battery cover with respect to the housing, the locking mechanism being accessible only from the interface side of the housing; characterized in that the locking mechanism comprises a screw, and there is a support block formed integrally with the battery cover, the screw extending through the support block, the screw having a thread that is threaded within the housing; and because the screw has a stepped thread having a first diameter at the tip of the screw and a second, larger diameter on the shank of the screw, so that the thread of the first diameter engages within the housing and the thread of the Second diameter fits inside the support block.

The support block is formed integrally with the battery cover, for example, by injection molding of the battery cover, which is made of a plastic material.

The support block provides sufficient material, particularly as viewed in the axial direction of the screw, to provide a mechanically strong bond with the screw.

The special screw design allows the screw to be mechanically attached to both the battery cover support block and the housing in a single step.

The locking mechanism ensures that the battery cover cannot be easily removed from the housing to access the interior of the smart lock. Instead, the entire smart door lock needs to be removed before you can open the battery cover.

The screw provides a mechanically strong means of holding the battery cover in place.

The screw may extend through an opening in the support block that is closed in the circumferential direction. In other words, the support block has a through opening through which the screw extends. This makes it impossible to remove or disengage the battery cover in a radial direction from the screw.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the battery cover is curved and comprises two locking lugs at opposite ends, such that the locking lugs engage behind the edges of the housing. The locking lugs provide a mechanical connection between the ends of the battery cover and the housing such that the battery compartment cannot be opened with a tool.

Preferably, each of the lugs overlaps the housing by approximately 2% of the circumference of the smart lock.

The mechanical bond is especially strong when the locking lugs that engage behind the edges of the housing extend the full width of the battery cover. According to a preferred embodiment, an accelerometer is arranged in the housing, in particular on a main PCB on which the electronic components of the control are mounted. The accelerometer can be used to detect unusual movements of the smart lock that indicate someone is attempting to tamper with it.

To allow the accelerometer to be added to existing smart locks, the accelerometer can be mounted on an auxiliary PCB that is connected to a main control PCB. The connection between the auxiliary PCB and the main PCB can be made using a plug connection so that installation is easily possible.

Accelerometer signals can be sent through a communication module to integrate the accelerometer into an alarm installation.

The signals sent by the communication module may be indicative of at least one of the following situations:

- a rotation of the smart lock around a horizontal axis,

- an inclination of the smart lock around an axis perpendicular to the horizontal axis,

- the rotation of the door on which the smart lock is mounted,

- vibrations resulting from an interaction with the smart lock,

- impacts resulting from an interaction with the door,

- stopping the door in an open position,

- door closing,

- a predefined sequence of knocks on the door or smart lock.

The alarm installation may comprise a central unit and a smart lock as described above, the central unit being configured to trigger an alarm if the accelerometer signals indicate that the smart lock is being tampered with.

The signals received from the accelerometer can be used to detect if the smart lock is unexpectedly removed from the door, as could occur when the door lock is being tampered with. This could result in the smart lock being rotated to, for example, disengage the door lock from the bracket. This could result in the smart lock moving axially away from the door or rotating around the plane of the door, which could occur if someone attempted to remove the lock from the door or bracket. In preferred embodiments, one or more accelerometers are used to detect movement in each of these axes. Detecting such movement of the smart lock may be an indication that someone is trying to access the side of the smart lock that is normally rigidly attached to the bracket.

In the event that an authorized user intends to replace the smart lock or replace the batteries, the alarm installation is notified in this regard so that signals that are suspicious in an armed state of the alarm installation do not lead to the triggering of an alarm.

This protects the smart lock against tampering. As an example of this, an attempt to remove the lock from the door or from the support can be detected. It is also possible to detect an attempt to drill the lock.

The accelerometer can also detect impacts on the door, for example a thief trying to force open a closed door.

Accelerometer signals can also be used to detect whether the bolt should move to the locked position after it has been opened. If the door lock has been opened and the door has not moved for a specified period of time (which is detectable with the accelerometer), the control can operate the actuation device again to close the door lock.

It is also possible to use the accelerometer signal to prevent the door lock from being moved from an open state to a locked state while the door is moving.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings,

- Figure 1 shows schematically, in cross section, a door with a door lock operating device,

- Figure 2 shows a cross section taken through a door lock actuation device according to the invention,

- Figure 3 shows a cross section of the door lock actuation device of Figure 2, in a view similar to that of Figure 1,

- Figure 4 shows details of the locking mechanism for locking the battery cover with respect to the housing,

- Figure 5 shows the screw used in the locking mechanism,

- Figure 6 shows the battery cover in perspective view, and

- Figure 7 shows an alarm installation employing the door lock actuation device as shown in Figures 1 to 6.

Figure 1 schematically shows a door 1 which is provided with a latch 2. The latch 2 can be moved between a closed or locked position (in which it protrudes outwards over the respective end face of the door) and an open or locked position. unlocked (in which it is retracted into the door so that it does not protrude from the end face) by means of a door lock actuation device 10 (hereinafter referred to as "smart lock").

The smart lock 10 comprises a housing 12 that is mechanically mounted on a bracket 3. The bracket 3 is bolted or otherwise mechanically attached to the door 1.

The side of the housing that is mounted on the bracket 3 is called the interface side of the housing.

Inside the housing 12, a drive device 14 (here in the form of an electric motor) is arranged which is operatively connected to an output element 16. The output element 16 is operatively connected to the latch 2 so that rotation of the element output 16 moves the bolt from the locked position to the open position and vice versa.

A battery compartment 18 is formed within the housing 12 in which a battery 20 is arranged. The battery 20 provides the electrical power to operate the drive device 14.

Within the housing 12, a control 22 is also provided to control the operation of the drive device 14. The power necessary for the operation of the control 22 is also provided by the battery 20.

On the side remote from the door 1, the smart lock 10 is provided with an operating element 24 (for example, a handle) which is mechanically connected to the output element 16 and allows rotation of the output element if necessary (e.g. For example, a failure of the drive device or a lack of electrical power from the batteries 20).

Figures 2 to 6 show details of the construction of the smart lock 10 according to the invention. An element of the smart lock according to the invention is a tamper-proof battery cover 26 that forms the external wall of the battery compartment 18.

The battery cover 26 has the shape of an approximately semicircular box and is provided with two locking lugs 28 at its opposite ends. As can be seen in Figure 6, each locking lug 28 extends the full width of the battery cover 26.

As can be seen in particular in Figure 2, the locking lugs 28 engage, when the battery cover 26 is mounted in the housing 12, behind the edges of the housing 12. The locking lugs 28 are comparatively long in the circumferential direction so that there is a significant overlap between the locking lugs 28 and the housing 12.

The locking lugs 28 extend so far below the housing 12 that there will never be any clearance between the battery cover 26 and the housing 12 when someone attempts to pry open the battery cover, even if the Battery cover 26 flexes a little when placed under load during an attempt to force it open.

As the locking lugs 28 extend the full width of the battery cover 28, this prevents any clearance at the corners as the battery cover 26 flexes.

It can also be seen that the free ends of the locking lugs 28 are arranged a small distance from an interior wall 30 which can form a stop for the locking lugs 28 in case someone tries to press the entire battery cover into the accommodation.

The battery cover 26 is provided with a support block 32 on its inner surface, approximately midway between the locking lugs 28.

As can be seen, in particular, in Figures 3 and 4, the support block 32 is provided with an opening 34 through which a screw 36 extends.

The screw 36 has a stepped thread at its front part, namely a thread 38 with a first part of diameter 38 and a second part of diameter 40. The second diameter is larger than the first diameter.

Examples of diameters can be 2 mm for the first part of diameter 38 and 3 mm for the second part of diameter 40.

The threads 38, 40 are arranged so that the first diameter part 38 engages within the housing 12 (see, in particular, Figure 4) while the second diameter part 40 is threaded into the support block 32. With To this end, the opening 34 of the support block 32 of the battery cover 26 is provided with a reduced diameter at the end remote from the head of the screw 36.

In this way, the screw 36 is mechanically coupled to both the housing 12 and the battery cover 26.

As an alternative to a stepped screw, a screw with a continuous thread can be used.

The support block 32 together with the screw 36 forms a locking mechanism that can be accessed only from the interface side of the housing 12 (the side of the housing configured to be mounted on the support 3). This can be seen, in particular, in Figure 3. This effectively prevents any opening of the battery compartment 18 as long as the smart lock 10 is correctly mounted on the door 1.

This protects the smart lock from a tamper attempt in which power to the lock is cut off without first removing the smart lock from the door.

The control 22 is mounted on a PCB 42 that is disposed within the housing 12. The walls 30 can be used to mount the PCB 42 within the housing 12.

The PCB 42 also carries an accelerometer 46. In addition, there is a communication module 48 (also called "RF module") arranged on the PCB 42.

Alternatively, separate PCBs can be used, for example, a main PCB for the control 22 and an auxiliary PCB for the accelerometer and RF module.

With the communication module 48, signals received from the accelerometer 46 can be sent to an alarm facility. The alarm installation may comprise other components such as glass break sensors, window sensors and door sensors.

An example of such an alarm installation is shown in Figure 7.

In Figure 7, the reference number 50 designates the living space of an apartment or a house. Door 1 provides access to living space 50. The door is equipped with a smart lock 10.

A central unit 52 is provided in the apartment or house, which is part of an alarm installation. Other intrusion detection devices, in particular magnetic sensors that send a signal when a door or window is opened, or a glass break sensor, are part of the alarm installation.

The central unit 52 has a communication module 54 that can receive RF signals from the smart lock 10, in particular the accelerometer signals. The central unit 52 may also send signals to the smart lock 10 to control the operation of the actuator 14.

The central unit 52 further includes an evaluation unit 56 for evaluating the accelerometer signals received from the smart lock 10. Depending on the result of the evaluation, a plurality of different situations or events can be detected, and the control unit 52 can react with a specific response.

The central unit 52 also includes an external communication device 58 through which communication is established with an external monitoring station 60 (operations control).

Generally speaking, evaluation module 56 is used to distinguish between a plurality of different situations.

A first situation consists of someone removing the smart lock 10 from door 1 without prior authorization.

Signs indicative of such an attempt comprise a rotation of the smart lock about a horizontal central axis of the smart lock, and a tilt of the smart lock about a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to the central axis.

Typically, the smart lock 10 is mounted on the door 1 by means of a bayonet joint between the smart lock 10 and the bracket 3, such that the bayonet joint requires a rotation of the smart lock 10 around the central axis of the door. smart lock, this axis being perpendicular to the door. To remove the smart lock from the door, it is necessary to rotate it in the opposite direction.

If the accelerometer signals indicate that there is a rotation of the smart lock 10 about an axis that is horizontal and perpendicular to the door 1, this is an indication that the smart lock 10 has been rotated out of the holder 3 and, therefore, from door 1. In case there is a rotation around a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to the first horizontal axis, this is an indication that the smart lock 10 has been removed from door 1, since, in In a correctly assembled state, the smart lock 10 can only be rotated around a vertical axis that coincides with the hinge axis of the door 1.

If the central unit 52 detects that the smart lock 10 is rotated or tilted in a manner that should not occur during normal operation, an alarm may be triggered. The alarm may involve sending a notification to the monitoring station 60 and/or involve the activation of a siren, speaker and/or alarm light.

The alarm can also put the entire alarm installation into a higher alert state. In this state, a microphone and/or camera 62 can be activated, and the information captured therewith can be transmitted to operations control 60 to make a decision on whether or not to notify the police or send a message. guard, and/or notify the user so that they can see, for example, on their smartphone what is happening.

The information captured by the microphone and/or camera can also be evaluated by the evaluation module 56 to detect whether or not there is an intrusion. This reduces the number of false alarms.

If a user intends to replace the batteries 20, a maintenance signal must be sent to the central unit 52. The maintenance signal may be sent from the monitoring station 60 or may be initiated by the user directly at the central unit 52. , for example, by inserting a corresponding PIN code. The removal of the smart lock 10 from door 1 is then authorized without triggering an alarm.

The signals sent from the accelerometer can also be used to detect other attempts to tamper with the smart lock 10 and/or the door 1. As an example, impacts resulting from an interaction with the door, for example, because someone tries to open forcibly opening the door, they can be detected and cause an alarm to be triggered. Additionally, vibrations resulting from an interaction with the smart lock and/or door may indicate that someone is attempting to drill a hole in the door and/or smart lock. In this case an alarm is also triggered.

The signals received from the accelerometer can also be used to improve the operation of the smart lock 10.

It is known that a smart lock can move the bolt 2 of the door 1 from an unlocked position to a locked position after a predefined period of time after opening the door. Signals received from the accelerometer can extend this time period or completely prevent the smart lock 10 from locking the bolt 2, as long as the door is moving. Locking of bolt 2 can also be prevented when accelerometer signals indicate that the door has stopped in an open position.

The central unit 52 may also cause the smart lock 10 to move the bolt 2 to a locked position when signals received from the accelerometer indicate that there has been contact between the door and the door frame, and the door has subsequently remained in a locked position. stationary state. An automatic door lock can then be initiated.

Signals received from the accelerometer can also be used to "override" an automated locking sequence implemented in the smart lock. The smart lock is known to automatically move the deadbolt from an unlocked position to a locked position at a predetermined time after being unlocked (for example, within 5 seconds). The central unit 52 may generate a delay signal that extends this time period as long as the signals received from the accelerometer indicate that the door is still moving or that the door has stopped in an open position. In both cases, there is little point in moving the bolt to a locked position.

The signals received from the accelerometer can also be used to make the smart lock 10 close the bolt 2 very conveniently. It is possible for a user to store in the central unit 52 a specific sequence of knocks on the door or smart lock. If the central unit receives accelerometer signals corresponding to this knock sequence after having previously received signals indicating that the door has been closed, the smart lock 10 is commanded to move the bolt 2 to the locked position. Therefore, it is possible for a user to close the door and knock on the door from the inside or outside with the predefined sequence to lock the door without any additional steps.

Claims (10)

1. A door lock actuation device (10) for operating a door lock, comprising a housing (12) having an interface side intended to be mounted on a door (1), an output element (16) configured to cooperate with the door lock, an actuation device (14) operatively connected to the output element (16), a control (22) for controlling the operation of the actuation device (14), a battery compartment (18) configured to receive at least one battery (20) that powers the drive device (14) and the control (22), a battery cover (26), secured to the housing (12), so that the cover (26) of the battery is removable to allow access to the battery compartment (18), and a locking mechanism (32, 36) to lock the battery cover (26) with respect to the housing (12), the locking mechanism being accessible. locking (32, 36) only from the interface side of the housing (12); characterized by: The locking mechanism comprises a screw (36), and a support block (32) is formed integrally with the battery cover (26), the screw (36) extending through the support block (32), having the screw (36) a thread (38) that is screwed into the housing (12); and because the screw (36) has a stepped thread (38, 40) that has a first diameter at the tip of the screw and a second, larger diameter on the shank of the screw, so that the thread of the first diameter ( 38) fits inside the housing (12) and the second diameter thread (40) fits inside the support block (32). 2. The door lock actuation device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the screw (36) extends through an opening in the support block that is closed in a circumferential direction. 3. The door lock actuation device (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the battery cover (26) is curved and comprises two locking lugs (28) at opposite ends, of so that the locking lugs (28) engage behind the edges of the housing (12). 4. The door lock actuation device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the locking lugs (28) that engage behind the edges of the housing (12) extend the full width of the battery cover (26). 5. The door lock actuation device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an accelerometer (46) has been provided in the housing (12). 6. The door lock actuation device (10) according to claim 5, wherein the accelerometer (46) is mounted on an auxiliary PCB connected to a main PCB (42) of the control (22). 7. The door lock actuation device (10) according to claim 6, wherein the auxiliary PCB is connected to the main PCB (42) by means of a plug connection. 8. The door lock actuation device (10) according to any of claims 5 to 7, wherein a communication module (48) is provided for sending signals provided by the accelerometer (46). 9. The door lock actuation device (10) according to claim 8, wherein the signals indicate at least one of the following situations: - a rotation of the smart lock around a horizontal axis, - an inclination of the smart lock around an axis perpendicular to the horizontal axis, - the rotation of the door on which the smart lock is mounted, - vibrations resulting from an interaction with the smart lock, - impacts resulting from an interaction with the door, - stopping the door in an open position, - door closing, - a predefined sequence of knocks on the door or smart lock. 10. An alarm installation comprising a central unit and a door lock actuation device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the central unit is configured to trigger an alarm if the accelerometer signals indicate that the door lock actuation device (10) is being tampered with improperly.