CN112955619A

CN112955619A - Lock head for driving mechanism

Info

Publication number: CN112955619A
Application number: CN201980072979.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·坎普拉尼
Original assignee: Omax Sawtooth Co ltd
Current assignee: Omax Sawtooth Co ltd
Priority date: 2018-11-16
Filing date: 2019-11-05
Publication date: 2021-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-05
Also published as: CN112955619B; IT201800010405A1; EP3880909A1; EP3880909B1; WO2020100172A1

Abstract

A lock cylinder (1) for a drive mechanism comprises: a body (2) having a cavity (3); a rotary body (4) rotatably accommodated in the cavity (3) and having a rotation axis (100) in the longitudinal development direction of the lock cylinder (1); a cam (5) rotatably fixed to the main body (2) and selectively coupled to the rotary body (4); a coupling element (6) configured to alternatively assume a coupling position and a decoupling position in which it couples the cam (5) and the rotary body (4); an actuator (7) configured to move the coupling element (6) from the uncoupled position to the coupled position and/or vice versa; an operating body (9) rotatably fixed to the main body (2) and configured to rotate the cam (5) about said axis of rotation (100) at least in the configuration of the lock cylinder; and an electric power supply (8) electrically connected to the actuator (7) and housed inside the manipulation body (9), wherein the manipulation body (9) comprises an access opening (10) to the electric power supply (8), the access opening being configured to allow reversible extraction/insertion of the electric power supply (8) and enabling a substantially longitudinal development on a face (11) of the manipulation body (9) facing away from and distant from the cam (5) or on a surface (12) of the manipulation body (9).

Description

Lock head for driving mechanism

Technical Field

The invention relates to a lock (cylinder) for a driving mechanism, in particular to an electronic lock.

Background

There are known, usually standard-sized, lock heads that are coupled to a drive mechanism, usually a frame lock or other mechanism, such as a switch for controlling an automatic device (e.g., a motor for opening/closing a door or gate).

A lock cylinder for a drive mechanism may generally include a body (also referred to as a stator) to which a cam having a projection (often referred to as a tongue) is rotatably secured. A cam, which is generally used as a driving mechanism to which the lock cylinder is driven, may be mechanically coupled to a rotating body (generally referred to as a key cylinder) accommodated in the body so as to be able to drive the driving mechanism after the rotating body is rotated.

There are known lock cylinders for drive mechanisms, called electric or electronic, i.e. they comprise, in addition to or instead of a mechanical blocking mechanism that can be driven mechanically by a conventional key or the like, at least one blocking mechanism, which usually comprises at least one power supply, and one actuator (for example an electromagnet or an electric motor), which usually operates as a function of the result of the electronic identification. Typically, electronic identification involves reading, by the access control system, digital data relating to access rights contained in an electronic key (such as an electronic card, smart phone or other wireless device, or a device physically connectable to the access control system by a suitable portal).

EP2706172 and EP2706173 describe known electric lock heads for drive mechanisms.

Disclosure of Invention

The applicant has found that the known electric lock heads for drive mechanisms have some drawbacks and/or can be improved in some respects.

Firstly, the applicant has noticed that the known electric lock for driving mechanisms is excessively complex in its structure, thus increasing the production costs.

The applicant has also observed that the assembly and/or installation of these cylinders and the maintenance thereof entail considerable difficulties, complications and/or lengthy processes, which may also involve the use of specific tools that are specifically dedicated. For example, simple replacement of a spent battery may require complicated disassembly and reassembly operations of the tapered end knob.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electronic lock for a drive mechanism that does not require complex operations and/or procedures for assembly and/or installation and/or maintenance, such as battery replacement.

Another object is to limit the construction and/or assembly and/or installation costs of the cylinder.

The problem of achieving one or more of these objects is solved, according to the applicant, by a lock cylinder for a drive mechanism according to the appended claims and/or having one or more of the following features.

According to one aspect, the present invention relates to a lock cylinder for a drive mechanism, the lock cylinder comprising: a body having a cavity; a rotating body rotatably received in the cavity and having an axis of rotation along a longitudinal deployment direction of the lock cylinder; and a cam rotatably fixed to the body and selectively coupled to the rotating body to rotate rigidly with the rotating body about the rotation axis.

The lock cylinder comprises a coupling element configured to alternatively assume a coupling position in which it couples the cam with the rotary body and a decoupling position in which it does not couple the cam with the rotary body.

The lock cylinder comprises an actuator configured to move the coupling element from the uncoupled position to the coupled position and/or vice versa.

The lock cylinder includes a power supply electrically connected to the actuator.

Preferably, the lock cylinder comprises an operating body rotatably fixed to the main body and configured to rotate the cam about the rotation axis at least when the coupling element is in the coupling position.

In one aspect, the power supply is (preferably completely) housed inside the manipulation body, and the manipulation body comprises an access opening to the power supply, configured to allow reversible extraction/insertion of the power supply through the access opening, and to be realized on a face of the manipulation body facing away from the cam and away from the cam, or on a surface of the manipulation body with a (substantially) longitudinal development.

According to the applicant, the combination of the above-mentioned features, in particular the presence of the electric power supply (entirely) housed inside the manoeuvre body and of the access opening to the supply, which is realized on the face of the manoeuvre body facing away from and remote from the cam, and/or on the surface of the manoeuvre body, i.e. on the lateral surface of the manoeuvre body, with a (substantially) longitudinal development, enables an electric lock head for a drive mechanism which does not require complex maintenance operations and/or procedures, since the above-mentioned access to the electric power supply allows the supply itself to be replaced (if exhausted and/or generally no longer functional) without the need to disassemble and reassemble the manoeuvre body from the rest of the lock head and without the need for special dedicated tools (such as those in EP2706172 and EP2706173 described above).

The term "reversibly" is used to refer to a process/operation that does not damage or destroy the device (or a component thereof) on which it is performed, i.e., the process/operation can be performed without causing damage to the device, so that the operation can be repeated at will and its effect can be cancelled without having consequences on the device itself.

In one or more of the foregoing aspects, the invention can have one or more of the following preferred features.

Preferably, the power supply comprises one or more accumulators, such as batteries or capacitors.

Preferably, the manipulation body includes a removable cover for closing the opening and protecting the power supply portion.

Preferably, the power supply portion is accommodated in an end portion of the manipulation body remote from the cam. In this way, insertion and/or extraction of the power supply is facilitated.

Preferably, the lock cylinder mainly comprises a command and control unit, more preferably housed completely inside the maneuvering body and electrically connected to the power supply. In this way, the electrical contacts of the command unit remain confined inside the operating body.

Preferably, the power supply portion occupies a position (in the longitudinal direction) further away from the cam with respect to the command and control unit.

Preferably, the command and control unit is programmed and configured to receive as input a signal identifying the access rights, preferably a wireless signal, and to actuate the actuator based on verification of the signal identifying the access rights. In this way, actuation of the electronic lock only occurs if there is proper access authorization.

In one embodiment, the actuator comprises (or consists of) an electromagnet, typically comprising a solenoid, to which a thrust element of ferromagnetic material is associated, which is moved by a magnetic field generated by an electric current in the solenoid. This type of actuator is widespread and inexpensive.

In a preferred embodiment, the actuator comprises a motor, more preferably an electric motor, electrically connected to the power supply and to the command and control unit. For electromagnets that normally continue to draw current during the time the thrust element is driven (thus shortening the life of the accumulator or accumulators), the electric motor may be arranged to drive the electric lock with less overall power consumption.

In an aspect of the invention (even independent of the preceding aspect), the actuator (preferably the motor or the solenoid) is at least partially (more preferably, predominantly) housed in the maneuvering body. In this way, the structure of the lock cylinder is simplified, since it does not require electrical contact between the manoeuvring body and the rest of the lock cylinder in order to connect the motor/solenoid to the power supply and/or to the command and control unit (as in EP2706172 and EP 2706173). Furthermore, compared to solutions in which the motor is completely housed in the rotating body (such as EP2706172 and EP2706173), the present feature allows to release the space inside the rotating body, thereby relaxing the design constraints.

By the description "mainly contain" is meant a first element inside a second element, meaning that more than 50% (preferably more than 60% or 70%) of the total volume of the first element is enclosed in the second element.

Preferably, the actuator is a linear actuator, more preferably an actuator acting in the longitudinal direction. In this way, the electrical drive of the lock cylinder can be adapted to the logic and purely mechanical drive of the components of the lock cylinder (described below).

Preferably, the actuator comprises a thrust element (e.g. a rod) having a main deployment direction along the longitudinal direction (preferably along the rotation axis), wherein the actuator is configured to linearly displace the thrust element from a rest position away from the cam to a thrust position close to the cam. In this way, the typical structure and logic of a mechanical lock can be maintained, wherein, in this case, the thrust drive, normally provided by a manually operated key, is provided by a thrust element actuated by the electronic components of the lock to simulate the entry of the key itself. At the same time, the typical components of mechanical locks can be used more often, which are usually placed within the logical driving sequence of the lock, downstream of the driving force provided by the key (for example, it is possible to maintain the logic of coupling of the contact, the butterfly and the butterfly with the rotary body and the cam), thus reducing the production and costs of the specific components, unlike known electronic locks (such as in EP2706172 and EP2706173), which are not compatible with the typical components of traditional mechanical locks and therefore require the manufacture and use of specific components, with consequent increase in costs.

Preferably, the thrust element is mechanically connected to the coupling element such that displacement of the thrust element from the rest position to the thrust position provides the coupling element with a thrust in the direction of the cam or the rotary body. In this way, the actuation of the thrust element allows the coupling between the cam and the rotary body (if the rotary body is correctly angularly aligned with the cam).

Preferably, said lock cylinder comprises a first elastic element (for example a spring) operatively interposed between said coupling element and said thrust element and configured to oppose an (increased) elastic reaction to displace said thrust element from said rest position (increased) to said thrust position. In this way, with the thrust element in the thrust position, the first elastic element keeps the coupling element pushed towards the cam (or towards the rotary body), allowing the coupling between the cam and the rotary body if there is a correct angular alignment between the cam and the rotary body. If there is no such correct angular alignment, the first elastic element keeps the coupling element thrust against the abutment wall of the cam (or of the rotary body) while avoiding the exertion of force by the motor (this instead occurs in an alternative embodiment of the invention, in which the thrust element is firmly connected to the coupling element.

When the aforementioned correct angular alignment is reached by rotation of the rotary body, the coupling element is able to assume a coupling position (in which, for example, suitable projections of the coupling element engage in corresponding seats made in the cam and in the rotary body), so as to achieve coupling between the cam and the rotary body. In addition, the first elastic element tends to return the thrust element to the rest position in the absence of other external forces acting on the thrust element (for example, the action of the motor on the thrust element).

Preferably, the lock head is configured and programmed to hold the thrust element in the thrust position for a certain time interval (preferably arbitrarily definable), more preferably, the actuator does not consume power. In this way, the thrust on the coupling element is maintained and it is therefore possible to drive the drive mechanism to which the lock head is applied, preferably without power consumption, in the time required by the user and at the discretion of the user, thus having no effect on the life of the power supply.

Preferably, the lock cylinder is configured and programmed such that after said time interval, the motor/solenoid stops applying any force (including the coupling reaction force) to the thrust element having a longitudinal direction directed towards the cam. In this way, after the time interval has expired, the motor/solenoid will stop acting on the thrust element, which is free to return to the rest position, without further action of the motor/solenoid and therefore without further consumption of electrical energy (for the motor, it only consumes electrical power in the displacement of the thrust element from the rest position to the thrust position).

Preferably, said lock cylinder comprises a second elastic element (for example a spring) operatively interposed between said main body and said coupling element and configured to oppose an (increased) elastic reaction force to (increasingly) displace said coupling element from said coupling position to said uncoupling position. In this way, in the absence of other external forces acting on the coupling element (for example, the thrust of the thrust element), the second elastic element tends to bring the coupling element back to the disengaged position, preventing the drive mechanism from being driven by the rotation of the rotary body.

Preferably, said first and/or second elastic element is a compression spring, more preferably equal to each other, and is arranged at opposite sides of said coupling element along said longitudinal direction. In this way, the elastic reaction forces of the first and second elastic elements are properly oriented.

Preferably, said first and/or second elastic element has a respective degree of preload in the closed configuration of the lock cylinder, in which said thrust element is in the rest position (and said coupling element is in the disengaged position). In this way, it is ensured that the elastic element functions correctly in all configurations of the lock cylinder, even in the face of manufacturing tolerances.

Preferably, in the closed configuration, the degree of preload of the second resilient element is greater than the degree of preload of the first resilient element. In this way, the risk of the coupling element erroneously remaining in the coupled position can be reduced even in the absence of other external forces acting on the coupling element.

Preferably, said lock cylinder comprises a further rotary body rotatably housed in a further cavity of the body, realized at the opposite side of said cam with respect to said cavity, and having a respective rotation axis coinciding with said rotation axis of the rotary body. Preferably, said further rotating body is firmly and rigidly coupled to said cam so as to rotate rigidly with said cam about said axis of rotation. Thus, the rotation of the other rotating body always causes the driving of the driving mechanism.

Preferably, the rotating body and the further rotating body comprise respective cavities having a (substantially) longitudinal development.

Preferably, the lock cylinder comprises a further manipulation body at a longitudinally opposite side with respect to the manipulation body and is configured to rotate the cam about the rotation axis at least when the coupling element is in the coupled position. In this way, the drive mechanism can be driven even at the opposite side with respect to the manipulation body.

In a first embodiment, the manipulator is (firmly) fixed to the rotary body to rotate rigidly with the rotary body about the axis of rotation.

Preferably, the further manipulator is (firmly) fixed to the further rotator for rigid rotation with the further rotator about the axis of rotation.

In a second embodiment, the manipulation body is (firmly) fixed to the other rotation body to rigidly rotate together with the other rotation body about the rotation axis.

Preferably, the further manipulation body is (firmly) fixed to the rotation body to rigidly rotate about the rotation axis together with the rotation body.

The locking head according to the last two embodiments can advantageously be mounted so that the manoeuvring body can be gripped from the outside (in the first embodiment) or the inside (in the second embodiment) respectively of the environment, the access of which is controlled by the frame (or generally another access barrier means), on which the drive mechanism comprising the locking head is mounted.

In the following paragraphs, the expression in parentheses preferably refers to the above-described second embodiment, and the text outside the parentheses preferably refers to the above-described first embodiment.

Preferably, the cavity of the rotary body (or the further rotary body) comprises a first mouth at an end of the rotary body (or the further rotary body) remote from the cam, the first mouth facing (and preferably engaged by) the actuator. Preferably, the cavity of the rotating body (or the other rotating body) comprises a second mouth at an end of the rotating body (or the other rotating body) close to the cam, the second mouth facing towards and being engaged by the coupling element. In this way, a connection channel between the actuator and the coupling element is made inside the rotary body (or another rotary body).

Preferably, the thrust element in the thrust position is deployed at least partially inside the cavity of the rotating body (or of the other rotating body). Preferably, the first elastic element is housed in the cavity of the rotating body (or the other rotating body) and comprises a first end in contact with the coupling element and a second end configured to receive the thrust from the thrust element. In this way, it is possible to transmit the thrust exerted by the thrust element to the coupling element while adapting the lock cylinder to the typical operating logic of a purely mechanically driven lock cylinder, since the coupling element coupling the rotary body to the cam and its logic are maintained.

Preferably, the cavity of the other rotary body (or rotary body) comprises a mouth at an end of the other rotary body (or rotary body) proximal to the cam, the mouth facing towards the coupling element and being engaged by the coupling element (at least when in the coupled position). Preferably, the second elastic element is housed in the cavity of the other rotary body (or the rotary body). In this way, the second elastic element is suitably positioned so as to apply an elastic reaction force to the coupling element to bring it from the coupling position to the uncoupling position once all the other external forces acting on the coupling element (for example the thrust of the thrust element) have been cancelled.

Preferably, the lock cylinder comprises a contact body interposed between the thrust element and the first elastic element.

Drawings

The features and advantages of the invention will be further clarified by the following detailed description of some embodiments, presented by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an electronic lock cylinder for a drive mechanism according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lock cylinder of FIG. 1 in a closed configuration;

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lock cylinder of FIG. 1 in an open configuration;

FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the lock cylinder of FIG. 1;

fig. 5 shows a longitudinal section of a second embodiment of an electronic lock for a drive mechanism according to the invention in a closed configuration;

fig. 6 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the lock cylinder of fig. 5 in an open configuration.

Detailed Description

The present invention includes any type of electronic lock cylinder for a drive mechanism, such as an electronic monoblock cylinder with a single actuator (where the lock cylinder includes an electronic drive on one side and a manual drive on the other side, as shown in the first embodiment below), an electronic monoblock cylinder with dual actuators (not shown where the lock cylinder includes electronic drives on both sides), an electronic half-lock cylinder (not shown where the lock cylinder includes an electronic drive on one side and no drive on the other side), or a hybrid lock cylinder (where the lock cylinder includes an electronic drive on one side and a mechanical key drive on the other side, as shown in the second embodiment), and has any shape, such as the european lock cylinder shape exemplarily shown below, or an oval, circular, etc. shape, not shown.

The sections shown in figures 2 and 3 for the first embodiment and in figures 5 and 6 for the second embodiment are taken on a longitudinal median plane 200 (shown in figure 1 for the first embodiment) of the lock cylinder 1 according to the invention. The longitudinal plane 200 is preferably a plane of substantial geometrical symmetry of the lock cylinder 1 (for example, in addition to the minor asymmetries present in the second embodiment, such as the seat 51, the blocking mechanism associated with the additional rotary body 50, and the screw plane coupling system of the thrust body 52, which are better described below).

In the figures, numeral 1 denotes a cylinder for a drive mechanism, comprising a body 2 having a cavity 3, a rotary body 4 rotatably housed in the cavity 3 and having an axis of rotation 100 in the longitudinal development direction of the cylinder 1, and a cam 5, the cam 5 being rotatably fixed to the body 2 (in a suitable notch thereof) and being selectively couplable to the rotary body 4 so as to rigidly rotate about the axis of rotation 100 together with the rotary body 4.

Exemplarily, the lock cylinder 1 comprises a coupling element 6 (comprising, in the example shown, a butterfly body having two diametrically opposite radial projections), the coupling element 6 being configured to alternatively assume a coupling position, in which it couples the cam 5 with the rotary body 4 (shown, for example, in fig. 3 and 6), and a decoupling position, in which it does not couple the cam 5 with the rotary body 4 (shown, for example, in fig. 2 and 5).

Preferably, the lock cylinder 1 comprises an actuator 7, the actuator 7 being configured to move the coupling element 6 from the uncoupled position to the coupled position.

Preferably, the lock cylinder 1 comprises an electric power supply 8, for example consisting of one or more batteries as shown, which is electrically connected to the actuator 7.

Preferably, the lock cylinder 1 comprises an operating body 9, the operating body 9 being rotatably fixed to the main body 2 and configured to rotate the cam 5 about the rotation axis 100 at least in the open configuration of the lock cylinder 1, wherein the coupling element is in the coupling position. For example, with the first embodiment, when the lock cylinder is in the open configuration (as shown in figure 3), the operating body rotates the cam 5 (only). In a second embodiment (fig. 5 and 6), the operating body 9 rotates the cam 5 in any configuration of the lock cylinder 1, the gripping body being integral with the cam 5 (by means of another rotating body described below).

Exemplarily, the power supply 8 is completely housed inside the maneuvering body 9, in a seat placed in a terminal portion 33 of the maneuvering body 9 distant from the cam 5. Preferably, the maneuvering body 9 comprises an access opening 10 to the power supply 8, configured to allow reversible extraction/insertion of the power supply 8 through the opening itself. In the embodiment shown, the opening 10 is realized on a surface 11 of the actuating body 9 facing away from the cam 5 and distal to the cam 5. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the opening 10 may be realized on a surface 12 of the manipulation body 9 having a substantially longitudinal development. The handling body preferably comprises a movable cover 40, which movable cover 40 is intended to close the opening 10 and protect the power supply 8 (when positioned in the seat).

Illustratively, the lock cylinder 1 comprises a command and control unit 13 (shown in purely schematic manner in the figures) housed entirely inside the manoeuvring body 9 and electrically connected to the power supply 8. Preferably, the power supply 8 occupies a position that is more distant from the cam 5 in the longitudinal direction with respect to the command and control unit 13. Exemplarily, the unit 13 is longitudinally interposed between the power supply 8 and the actuator 7, or (not shown) it can be placed longitudinally adjacent to the actuator 7 in a dedicated slot obtained on the maneuvering body.

The command and control unit 13 is illustratively programmed and configured to receive as input a signal identifying the access rights (preferably a wireless signal, such as RFID, bluetooth, infrared or Wifi) issued by an identification device (not shown, such as a smartphone, an electronic card, a remote control, etc., suitably programmed) and to actuate the actuator 7 based on the verification of the signal identifying the access rights.

Exemplarily, the actuator 7 comprises an electric motor 14, the electric motor 14 being electrically connected to the power supply 8 and to the command and control unit 13 and being mainly housed in the maneuvering body 9. For example, the electric motor 14 is made of hardened blade (PrimoPal)^TM) The electric motor PPML20C24 is sold.

Illustratively, the actuator 7 is a linear actuator acting in a longitudinal direction, comprising a thrust element 15 (exemplary rod), the thrust element 15 having a main development direction along the rotation axis 100, wherein the motor 14 is configured to linearly displace the thrust element 15 from a rest position (fig. 2 and 5) away from the cam 5 to a thrust position (fig. 3 and 6) close to the cam. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the actuator 7 may comprise a piezoelectric motor, in which the thrust element extends linearly due to thermal expansion caused by current channels inside the thrust element itself, or an electromagnet.

Illustratively, the lock cylinder 1 comprises a first elastic element 16 (illustratively, a spring) operatively interposed between the coupling element 6 and the thrust element 15.

Illustratively, the lock cylinder 1 comprises a second elastic element 18 (illustratively, a spring) operatively interposed between the body 2 and the coupling element 6.

Exemplarily, the first elastic element 16 and the second elastic element 18 are compression springs equal to each other and are arranged at opposite sides of the coupling element 6 along the longitudinal direction.

Preferably, the lock cylinder 1 comprises a further rotary body 19, which further rotary body 19 is rotatably housed in a further cavity 20 of the body 2, which further cavity is realized at the opposite side of the cam 5 with respect to the cavity 3 and has a respective rotation axis coinciding with the rotation axis of the rotary body 4. Exemplarily, the further rotary body 19 is firmly and rigidly coupled to the cam 5 to rotate rigidly with the cam 5 about the rotation axis 100. The coupling of the other rotatable body 19 to the cam 5 is obtained by means of a lap joint consisting (as shown in figure 4) of two planes obtained at one end of the other rotatable body (supporting the cam in cooperation with one end of the rotatable body 4) and shaped so as to match the internal profile of the cam itself.

Exemplarily, the rotary body 4 and the further rotary body 19 comprise

respective cavities

21, 22 with a longitudinal development.

Exemplarily, the lock cylinder 1 comprises a further operating body 23, which further operating body 23 is rotatably fixed to the main body 2 at a longitudinally opposite side with respect to said operating body 9 and is configured to rotate the cam 5 about the rotation axis 100 at least in the open configuration of the lock cylinder 1.

In the first embodiment shown in fig. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the operating body 9 is fixedly secured to the rotary body 4 so as to rotate rigidly about the axis of rotation 100 together with the rotary body 4, and the further operating body 23 is fixedly secured to the further rotary body 19 so as to rotate rigidly about the axis of rotation 100 together with the further rotary body 19. Thus, for any lock configuration, rotation of the other actuating body 23 triggers rotation of the cam 5.

In the second embodiment shown in fig. 5 and 6, the operating body 9 is fixedly secured to the other rotating body 19 so as to rigidly rotate with the other rotating body 19 about the axis of rotation 100, and the other operating body 23 is fixedly secured to the rotating body 4 so as to rigidly rotate with the rotating body 4 about the axis of rotation 100. Thus, the rotation of the other actuating body 23 triggers the rotation of the cam 5 only in the two open configurations of the lock cylinder, in which the respective one of the two coupling elements 6 and 6' is in the coupling position.

Exemplarily, in the first embodiment, the cavity 21 of the rotary body 4 comprises a first mouth 24 and a second mouth 26, the first mouth being located at an end 25 of the rotary body 4 remote from the cam 5, the first mouth 24 facing the actuator 7 and being engaged by the actuator 7, the second mouth 26 being located at an end 27 of the rotary body 4 close to the cam 5, the second mouth 26 facing the coupling element 6 and being engaged with the coupled element 6.

Exemplarily, in the second embodiment, the cavity 22 of the other rotary body 19 comprises a first mouth 24 and a second mouth 26, the first mouth being located at an end 25 of the other rotary body 19 remote from the cam 5, the first mouth 24 facing the actuator 7 and being engaged by the actuator 7, the second mouth 26 being located at an end 27 of the other rotary body 19 close to the cam 5, the second mouth 26 facing the coupling element 6 and being engaged by the coupled element 6.

Exemplarily, in the first embodiment, the thrust element 15 in thrust position (fig. 3) is at least partially developed inside the cavity 22 of the rotary body 19, and the first elastic element 16 is housed in the cavity 22 of the rotary body and comprises a first end 34 and a second end 35, the first end 34 being in contact with the coupling element 6, the second end 35 receiving the thrust from the thrust element 15 by interposition of the contact element.

Exemplarily, in the second embodiment, the thrust element 15 in thrust position (fig. 6) is at least partially developed inside the cavity 22 of the other rotary body 19, and the first elastic element 16 is housed in the cavity 22 of the other rotary body and comprises a first end 34 and a second end 35, the first end 34 being in contact with the coupling element 6, the second end 35 receiving the thrust from the thrust element 15 through the contact element.

Exemplarily, in the first embodiment, the cavity 22 of the further rotary body 19 comprises a mouth 28, which mouth 28 is located at an end 29 of the further rotary body 19 close to the cam 5, which mouth 28 faces the coupling element 6 and is engaged by the coupling element 6. Exemplarily, in the first embodiment, the second elastic element 18 is accommodated in the cavity 22 of the further rotator 19.

Exemplarily, in the second embodiment, the cavity 21 of the rotary body 4 comprises a mouth 28 at an end 29 of the rotary body 4 close to the cam 5, which mouth 28 faces the coupling element 6. Exemplarily, in the second embodiment, the second elastic element 18 is accommodated in the cavity 21 of the rotating body 4.

In the second exemplary embodiment shown, the other operating body preferably houses in its interior an additional rotating body 50, this additional rotating body 50 having a seat 51 shaped for the insertion of a mechanical key (not shown), and a blocking mechanism with a mechanical coding configured to prevent (in the absence of a key with the correct coding) the rotation of the additional rotating body 50 with respect to the other operating body. On the other hand, if a key with the correct code is inserted, the blocking mechanism allows the additional rotator to rotate. Rotation of the additional rotating body 50 causes the thrust body 52 to advance (by coupling with the helical plane formed in the thrust body) which applies a thrust force to the other coupling element 6', which, in the correct angular alignment with the cam, moves into the respective coupling position (not shown) to couple the rotating body 4 to the cam 5, so that rotation of the other manoeuvring body 23 determines rotation of the cam 5 (further open configuration).

Illustratively, the lock cylinder 1 comprises respective elastic split rings 31 (for example of the "seger" type) for the rotary body 4 and the further rotary body 19. These elements and their functions are not described here again, since they are well known.

In an embodiment not shown, the actuator consists of an electromagnet comprising a solenoid with a respective thrust element of ferromagnetic material associated with the solenoid moved by a magnetic field generated by the passage of an electric current in the solenoid. Each thrust element inserted in the solenoid is similar to the thrust element 15 of the actuator 7, while the solenoid represents the motor 14 (and occupies the position of the motor 14). The following description regarding the operation of the electronic lock according to the present invention can also be applied to an electronic lock in which the actuator 7 includes (or consists of) an electromagnet.

In an example of use, the lock cylinder 1 may be installed in a lock for a frame that is positioned to control access to a particular restricted environment.

The lock of the first embodiment can advantageously be used in a frame that controls access to the interior of an environment/building, such as an office, a door of a warehouse, a department within the same building, for example a factory or a hospital. In this case, the effector 9 may advantageously be placed outside a specific restricted interior and it only allows users having access rights to access this interior. The other operating body 23 is placed on the opposite side, i.e. on the inside, and, for any configuration of the lock cylinder, by its rotation, it allows the opening of the lock, thus allowing exit from the limited interior.

The lock cylinder of the second embodiment can be advantageously used in a frame separating an interior space from the outside (such as an entrance door of a house or building). In this case, the operating body 9 can advantageously be placed in an internal space in which it is more secure against intrusion and/or tampering attempts, and for any configuration of the lock cylinder, the operating body 9 allows the lock to be opened by rotation thereof. Conversely, when the lock cylinder is in one of the two open configurations (one of which is shown in fig. 6), the lock can be opened from the outside by rotating the additional operating body 23.

Under normal conditions, i.e. in the closed configuration (fig. 2 and 5), the coupling element 6 (and possibly the further element 6') is in the disengaged position and the thrust element 15 (and possibly the thrust body 52) is in the rest position. Illustratively, the first elastic element 16 and the second elastic element 18 each have a degree of preload, wherein the degree of preload of the second elastic element 18 is greater than the degree of preload of the first elastic element 16. By way of example, a greater degree of preloading of the second elastic element 18 is achieved, so that the second elastic element 18 is accommodated in a cavity having a longitudinal dimension (which corresponds to the cavity 22 of the first embodiment and to the cavity 21 of the second embodiment) which is about 0.05mm smaller than the longitudinal dimension of the cavity in which the first elastic element 16 is accommodated (which corresponds to the cavity 21 of the first embodiment and to the cavity 22 of the second embodiment).

In the closed configuration, the rotation of the operating body 9 (first embodiment) or of the further operating body 23 (second embodiment) is free, i.e. there is no corresponding rotation of the cam 5, since the rotating body 4 is integral with the operating body 9, or the further operating body 23 is disengaged from the cam 5, respectively.

In the presence of a signal identifying the access rights, this signal is received and processed by the command and control unit 13 in order to verify the correct access authorization. In the case of a positive result, the command and control unit 13 commands the actuator 7, for example the motor 14 (or solenoid), so that the thrust element 15 moves from the rest position to the thrust position. The thrust element 15 generates a thrust on the coupling element 6 in the direction of the cam 5 via the contact element 30 and the first elastic element 16. Each of the cam 5 and the rotary body 4 has a pair of seats having longitudinal development diametrically opposite with respect to the rotation axis 100 and shaped to be engaged by a radial projection of the coupling element 6. Therefore, a correct angular alignment between the cam 5 and the rotary body 4 is required, in which an alignment between the two pairs of seats is achieved, in order to allow the coupling element 6 to be displaced from the uncoupling position to the coupling position, in which it simultaneously engages the two pairs of seats obtained in the two above-mentioned elements.

Without correct angular alignment, the first elastic element 16 keeps the coupling element 6 thrust against the abutment wall 17 of the cam 5 (first embodiment) or against the abutment wall 32 of the rotary body 4 (second embodiment), while avoiding the action of the motor 14 (which would instead occur in the case of a rigid connection between the thrust element 15 and the coupling element 6). When the aforementioned correct angular alignment between the rotary body 4 and the cam 5 is reached by the rotation of the rotary body 4, the coupling element 6 freely reaches the coupling position (for example, in the first embodiment it moves towards the cam, or in the second embodiment it moves towards the rotary body), so that the coupling between the cam 5 and the rotary body 4 is achieved (the open configuration shown in fig. 3 and 6). In the open configuration, the rotation of the operating body 9 in the first embodiment or of the further operating body 23 in the second embodiment determines the rotation of the cam 5 and therefore the opening of the lock.

Preferably, the lock cylinder 1 (and more preferably the actuator when the motor 14 is included) is configured and programmed to hold the thrust element 15 in the thrust position for a randomly definable time interval (e.g., from a few seconds to several hours) without power consumption. In this case, when the lock is in the open configuration, the actuator overcomes the elastic reaction force of the second elastic element 18, which remains compressed.

The lock cylinder 1 is preferably configured and programmed so that at the end of this time interval, the motor 14 (or solenoid) stops applying any force (including a combined reaction force) to the thrust element 15, which has a longitudinal direction directed towards the cam 5. In this case, the first elastic element 16 and the second elastic element 18 are configured to oppose respective increasing elastic reaction forces to increasingly displace the thrust element 15 from the rest position to the thrust position, respectively, and the coupling element 6 from the uncoupled position to the coupled position, which cooperate to bring the thrust element 15 and the coupling element 6 back to the rest position and the uncoupled position, respectively, returning the lock cylinder to the closed configuration.

Claims

1. Lock cylinder (1) for a drive mechanism, comprising a body (2) having a cavity (3), a rotary body (4) rotatably housed in the cavity (3) and having an axis of rotation (100) in a longitudinal development direction of the lock cylinder (1), and a cam (5) rotatably fixed to the body (2) and selectively coupleable to the rotary body (4) for rigidly rotating with the rotary body (100) about the axis of rotation (100), wherein the lock cylinder (1) comprises:

-a coupling element (6) configured to alternatively assume a coupled position, in which it couples the cam (5) with the rotary body (4), and a uncoupled position, in which it does not couple the cam (5) with the rotary body (7),

-an actuator (7) configured to move the coupling element (6) from the uncoupled position to the coupled position and/or vice versa,

-an electrical power supply (8) electrically connected to the actuator (7),

-a maneuvering body (9) rotatably fixed to the main body (2) and configured to rotate the cam (5) around the rotation axis (100) at least when the coupling element is in the coupling position,

and wherein the power supply (8) is housed inside the handling body (9), and the handling body (9) comprises an access opening (10) to the power supply (8) configured to allow reversible extraction/insertion of the power supply (8) through the access opening (10) and realized on a face (11) of the handling body (9) facing away from the cam (5) and away from the cam (5), or with a substantially longitudinal development on a surface (12) of the handling body (9).

2. The lock cylinder (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric power supply (8) is housed in an end (33) of the operating body (9) remote from the cam (5), wherein the electric power supply (8) comprises at least one electric power accumulator, and wherein the operating body comprises a movable cover (40) for closing the opening (10) and protecting the electric power supply (8).

3. The lock cylinder (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by comprising a command and control unit (13) housed mainly inside the maneuvering body (9) and electrically connected to the power supply (8), wherein the power supply (8) occupies a position with respect to the command and control unit (13) that is further away from the cam (5), wherein the command and control unit (13) is programmed and configured to receive as input a signal identifying an access right and to actuate the actuator (7) based on verification of the signal identifying an access right, and wherein the actuator (7) comprises a motor (14) and/or a solenoid electrically connected to the power supply (8) and to the command and control unit (13).

4. The lock cylinder (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (7) is at least partially housed in the manoeuvring body (9).

5. The lock cylinder (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (7) comprises a thrust element (15) having a main development direction along the rotation axis (100), wherein the actuator (7) is configured to linearly displace the thrust element (15) from a rest position away from the cam (5) to a thrust position close to the cam (5), wherein the thrust element (15) is mechanically connected to the coupling element (6) such that a displacement of the thrust element (15) from the rest position to the thrust position provides a thrust force to the coupling element (6) in the direction of the cam (5) or the rotating body.

6. The lock cylinder (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by comprising a first elastic element (16) and a second elastic element (18), the first elastic element (16) being operatively interposed between the coupling element (6) and a thrust element (15) of the actuator (7) and being configured to oppose an elastic reaction force to displace the thrust element (15) from a rest position to a thrust position, the second elastic element (18) being operatively interposed between the body (2) and the coupling element (6) and being configured to oppose an elastic reaction force to displace the coupling element (6) from the disengagement position to the coupling position, wherein the first elastic element (16) and/or the second elastic element (18) are compression springs arranged at opposite sides of the coupling element (6) along the longitudinal direction, wherein the first elastic element (16) and/or the second elastic element (18) have a respective degree of preload in a closed configuration of the lock cylinder, wherein the coupling element (6) is in the disengaged position and the thrust element (15) is in the rest position, and wherein, in the closed configuration, the degree of preload of the second elastic element (18) is greater than the degree of preload of the first elastic element (16).

7. The lock cylinder (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lock cylinder (1) is configured and programmed to keep a thrust element (15) of the actuator (7) in a thrust position for a time interval, preferably without the actuator (7) consuming electrical power, and wherein the lock cylinder (1) is configured and programmed such that after the time interval the motor (14) and/or solenoid of the actuator (7) stops applying any force to the thrust element (15) having a longitudinal direction directed towards the cam (5).

8. The lock cylinder (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by comprising a further rotary body (19) rotatably housed in a further cavity (20) of the body (2) realized at the opposite side of the cam (5) with respect to the cavity (3) and having a respective axis of rotation coinciding with the axis of rotation (100) of the rotary body (4), wherein the further rotary body (19) is firmly and rigidly coupled to the cam (5) so as to rotate rigidly around the axis of rotation (100) together with the cam (5), wherein the rotary body (4) and the further rotary body (19) comprise respective cavities (21, 22) having a substantially longitudinal development, and wherein the lock cylinder (1) comprises a further maneuvering body (23) at a longitudinally opposite side with respect to the maneuvering body (9), and configured to rotate the cam (5) about the rotation axis (100) at least when the coupling element is in the coupled position.

9. Lock cylinder (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the maneuvering body (9) is firmly fixed to the rotating body (4) to rotate rigidly with the rotating body (4) around the rotation axis (100), wherein the further maneuvering body (23) is firmly fixed to the further rotating body (19) to rotate rigidly with the further rotating body (19) around the rotation axis (100), wherein a thrust element (15) in a thrust position develops at least partially inside the cavity (21) of the rotating body (4), wherein a first elastic element (16) is housed in the cavity (21) of the rotating body (4) and comprises a first end (34) in contact with the coupling element (6) and a second end (35) configured to receive a thrust from the thrust element (15), and wherein a second elastic element (18) is housed in the cavity (22) of the other rotary body (19).

10. Lock cylinder (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the operating body (9) is fixedly secured to the further rotating body (19) to rotate rigidly with the further rotating body (19) around the axis of rotation (100), wherein the further operating body (23) is fixedly secured to the rotating body (4) to rotate rigidly with the rotating body (4) around the axis of rotation (100), wherein a thrust element (15) in a thrust position develops at least partially inside the cavity (22) of the further rotating body (19), wherein a first elastic element (16) is accommodated in the cavity (22) of the further rotating body (19) and comprises a first end (34) in contact with the coupling element (6) and a second end (35) configured to receive a thrust force from the thrust element (15), and wherein a second elastic element (18) is housed in the cavity (21) of the rotary body (4).