ELECTROMECHANICAL LOCK

• US 20100188190A1
• Filed: 07/16/2008
• Published: 07/29/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: iLOQ Oy
• Original Assignee: iLOQ Oy
• Inventors: Jokinen, Hannu, Pukari, Mika
• Granted Patent: US 8,981,899 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/5.600
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0031 of the elastic type
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0062 by generator
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 35/00 Locks for use with special keys or a plurality of keys ; keys therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/063 with a rectilinearly moveable blocking element
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/70 Operating mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7028 Electric
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7068 Actuated after correct combination recognized [e.g., numerical, alphabetical, or magnet[s] pattern]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7113 Projected and retracted electrically
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7124 Retracted electrically only
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7559 Cylinder type

Abstract

An electromechanical lock and its operation method is disclosed. The method includes: reading data from an external source; matching the data against a predetermined criterion; providing a fulcrum provided that the data matches the predetermined criterion; holding the lock by a locking pin, when engaged, in a locked state, and, when disengaged, in a mechanically openable state; and if the fulcrum is provided, levering mechanical power with the fulcrum to the locking pin to mechanically disengage the locking pin.

Claims

1. An electromechanical lock, comprising:

an electronic circuit configured to read data from an external source, and match the data against a predetermined criterion;

a support configured to move by electric power to a fulcrum position provided that the data matches the predetermined criterion;

a locking pin configured to hold the lock, when engaged, in a locked state, and, when disengaged, in a mechanically openable state; and

a lever coupled with the locking pin configured to receive mechanical power, and to output the mechanical power to mechanically disengage the locking pin provided that the support is in the fulcrum position.

2. The lock of claim 1, further comprising an electric generator configured to generate the electric power from mechanical power.

3. The lock of claim 2, wherein the support is coupled with a shaft of the electric generator.

4. The lock of claim 3, wherein the shaft comprises a moving shaft.

5. The lock of claim 2, wherein the electric generator is further configured to generate the electric power and feed the electric power to the electronic circuit, and thereupon move the support with the electric power.

6. The lock of claim 1, wherein a coupling between the lever and the locking pin acts as a fulcrum, and the locking pin remains stationary in a locked position provided that the data does not match the predetermined criterion.

7. The lock of claim 1, further comprising a driving pin coupled with the lever configured to input the mechanical power to the lever.

8. The lock of claim 1, wherein the lever is further configured to receive the mechanical power from insertion of a key.

9. The lock of claim 1, wherein the lever comprises a third-class lever.

10. The lock of claim 1, wherein the lock further comprises a lock cylinder, and the locking pin is further configured to implement the locked state so that, when engaged, the locking pin holds the lock cylinder stationary, and to implement the mechanically openable state so that, when disengaged, the locking pin releases the lock cylinder rotatable by mechanical power.

11. The lock of claim 10, wherein the lock is further configured so that a key is removable from the lock only in a position where the key is insertable in the lock.

12. The lock of claim 1, wherein the locking pin is further configured to be engaged with mechanical power when a key is removed from the lock.

13. The lock of claim 1, wherein the support is further configured to be reset from the fulcrum position with mechanical power when a key is removed from the lock.

16. The lock of claim 2, wherein a coupling between the lever and the locking pin acts as a fulcrum, and the locking pin remains stationary in a locked position provided that the data does not match the predetermined criterion.

17. The lock of claim 3, wherein a coupling between the lever and the locking pin acts as a fulcrum, and the locking pin remains stationary in a locked position provided that the data does not match the predetermined criterion.

18. The lock of claim 4, wherein a coupling between the lever and-the locking gin acts as a fulcrum, and the locking pin remains stationary in a locked position provided that the data does not match the predetermined criterion.

19. The lock of claim 5, wherein a coupling between the lever and the locking pin acts as a fulcrum, and the locking pin remains stationary in a locked position provided that the data does not match the predetermined criterion.

20. The lock of claim 2, further comprising a driving pin coupled with the lever configured to input the mechanical power to the lever.

14. A method for operating an electromechanical lock, comprising:

reading data from an external source;

matching the data against a predetermined criterion;

providing a fulcrum provided that the data matches the predetermined criterion;

holding the lock by a locking pin, when engaged, in a locked state, and, when disengaged, in a mechanically openable state; and

if the fulcrum is provided, levering mechanical power with the fulcrum to the locking pin to mechanically disengage the locking pin.

15. An electromechanical lock, comprising:

means for reading data from an external source;

means for matching the data against a predetermined criterion;

means for providing a fulcrum provided that the data matches the predetermined criterion;

holding means for holding the lock, when engaged, in a locked state, and, when disengaged, in a mechanically openable state; and

means for mechanically levering with the fulcrum the holding means to mechanically disengage the holding means.