HOLDING COIL FOR ELECTRONIC LOCK

• US 20100236306A1
• Filed: 03/20/2009
• Published: 09/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: KNOX & Associates LLC
• Original Assignee: KNOX & Associates LLC
• Inventors: Trempala, Dohn J., Wolski, Keith
• Granted Patent: US 8,276,415 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 70/263
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0007 with two or more electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0061 using induction
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 2047/0063 Energy transfer from key to lock, e.g. for emergency opening
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0005 said core being rotary movable
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/0006 having a non-movable core; with permanent magnet
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 47/063 with a rectilinearly moveable blocking element
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00777 by induction
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/08 with armatures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/625 Operation and control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7062 Electrical type [e.g., solenoid]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7073 Including use of a key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7136 Key initiated actuation of device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7492 Tumblerless push or pull key
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/765 Key only controlled
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7915 Tampering prevention or attack defeating

Abstract

An electronic lock may include a locking mechanism and a cartridge having a body portion and one or more extension receiving portions that may receive the locking mechanism. The lock may also include a first coil positioned around the cartridge, a core disposed within the cartridge and substantially within the first coil, and a second coil positioned around the cartridge. The second coil may be spaced from the first coil. In addition, a first sliding barrier may be disposed within the cartridge, which barrier may be selectively in communication with the locking mechanism. A control circuit may be included in the lock, which may energize the first and second coils to cause the first sliding barrier to move from a first position magnetically attracted to the core to a second position magnetically attracted to the second coil and thereby allow actuation of the locking mechanism.

Claims

1. An electronic lock, the electronic lock comprising:

a locking mechanism comprising a bolt and extensions coupled with the bolt;

a cartridge comprising a body portion and extension receiving portions, the extension receiving portions configured to receive the extensions of the locking mechanism;

a first coil positioned around the cartridge;

a core disposed within the cartridge and substantially within the first coil;

a first sliding barrier disposed within the cartridge and comprising a first magnetic material, the first sliding barrier selectively in communication with one or more of the extensions of the locking mechanism, the first sliding barrier being located on a first side of the core and being magnetically attracted to the core;

a second sliding barrier disposed within the cartridge and comprising a second magnetic material, the second sliding barrier selectively in communication with one or more of the extensions of the locking mechanism, the second sliding barrier being located on a second side of the core and being magnetically attracted to the core;

a second coil positioned around the cartridge, the second coil being spaced from the first coil and being positioned on the first side of the core;

a third coil positioned around the cartridge, the third coil being spaced from the first coil and being positioned on the second side of the core; and

a control circuit in communication with the first, second, and third coils, the control circuit operative to;

energize the first coil to create a magnetic field in the core, the magnetic field causing the first and second sliding barriers to move away from the core, and

energize the second and third coils after a predetermined time has elapsed, such that the first sliding barrier is magnetically attracted to the second coil and the second sliding barrier is magnetically attracted to the third coil, thereby allowing actuation of the locking mechanism.

2. The electronic lock of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to de-energize the first coil in response to energizing the second and third coils.

3. The electronic lock of claim 1, wherein a first length of the second coil is substantially the same as a length of the first sliding barrier and wherein a second length of the third coil is substantially the same as a length of the second sliding barrier.

4. The electronic lock of claim 1, wherein the first and second magnetic materials comprise neodymium.

5. An electronic lock, the electronic lock comprising:

a locking mechanism comprising a bolt and one or more extensions coupled with the bolt;

a cartridge comprising a body portion and one or more extension receiving portions, the one or more extension receiving portions configured to receive the one or more extensions of the locking mechanism;

a first coil positioned around the cartridge;

a core disposed within the cartridge and substantially within the first coil;

a second coil positioned around the cartridge, the second coil being spaced from the first coil;

a first sliding barrier disposed within the cartridge, the first sliding barrier selectively in communication with the one or more extensions of the locking mechanism; and

a control circuit operative to energize the first and second coils to cause the first sliding barrier to move from a first position magnetically attracted to the core to a second position magnetically attracted to the second coil and thereby allow actuation of the locking mechanism.

6. The electronic lock of claim 5, wherein the control circuit is further operative to energize the second coil at a predetermined time after energizing the first coil.

7. The electronic lock of claim 5, wherein the control circuit is further operative to energize the second coil once at least half of the first sliding barrier has passed within the second coil.

9. The electronic lock of claim 5, wherein the first sliding barrier comprises a magnetic material.

10. The electronic lock of claim 9, wherein the magnetic material comprises neodymium.

11. The electronic lock of claim 5, wherein a length of the second coil is approximately the same as a length of the first sliding barrier.

12. The electronic lock of claim 5, further comprising a second sliding barrier located on an opposite side of the core as the first sliding barrier and a third coil positioned around the cartridge, the third coil being spaced from the first coil.

13. The electronic lock of claim 12, wherein the second sliding barrier is configured to move from a third position magnetically attracted to the core to a fourth position magnetically attracted to the third coil in response to the control circuit energizing the first and third coils.

14. The electronic lock of claim 5 in combination with a key, the key comprising one or more shear pins configured to mate with one or more corresponding receptacles in the lock.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the barrier comprises a bar magnet.

8. The electronic lock of claim 8, wherein the control circuit is further operative to energize the second coil once at least 60% of the first sliding barrier has passed within the second coil.

15. A method of actuating an electronic lock, the method comprising:

energizing a first coil positioned around a cartridge of a lock assembly to generate a first magnetic field within the cartridge;

using the first magnetic field to repel a barrier slidably disposed within the cartridge and in communication with a locking mechanism, said repelling causing the barrier to move from the first coil toward a second coil positioned around the cartridge;

energizing the second coil to generate a second magnetic field in the coil; and

using the second magnetic field to attract the barrier to the second coil, such that the barrier moves away from the locking mechanism and thereby allows movement of the locking mechanism.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said energizing the second coil comprises energizing the second coil at a predetermined time after energizing the first coil.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said energizing the second coil comprises energizing the second coil in response to at least half of the first sliding barrier passing through the second coil.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising de-energizing the first coil in response to said energizing the second coil.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising de-energizing the second coil after a predetermined period of time.