EP3422303A1

EP3422303A1 - Door integrated power source unit

Info

Publication number: EP3422303A1
Application number: EP18180445.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mark Spånberg; Gabriel Grelte
Original assignee: Inwido AB
Current assignee: Inwido AB
Priority date: 2017-06-29
Filing date: 2018-06-28
Publication date: 2019-01-02

Abstract

A door integrated power source unit (10) for providing power to an electronic communication unit and/or an electronic door lock (30), wherein the integrated power source unit (10) is arranged to be inserted into a cavity of a door leaf (1) from a lateral side (3) of said door leaf (1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an integrated power source of an electronic communication unit for an electronic door lock and more specifically a door integrated battery pack.

BACKGROUND

It has become more and more common to instead of using pure mechanical locks on doors, to provide electronic door locks, and many entrance doors are nowadays installed with such locks. It is also common, instead of using a mechanical key, to use some sort of electronic key to lock and unlock the electronic door lock. Tags or entering codes are common knowledge. However, such system or door lock demand a constant power supply. This means that with general knowledge, wires have to be drawn to the existing power supply network of the residence. This means a complex re-work on already installed doors or in the surroundings of the door. There is therefore room for improvements regarding the supplying, the installation, the maintenance and the handling of electrical power supply to an electronic door lock or thereto connected electronic device.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved power source unit. This object is achieved by a technique defined in the appended independent claims; certain embodiments being set forth in the related dependent claims.
In a first aspect, there is provided a door integrated power source unit for providing power to an electronic communication unit and/or an electronic door lock, wherein the integrated power source unit is arranged to be inserted into a cavity of a door leaf from a lateral side of the door leaf.
In a preferred embodiment, the integrated power source unit is detachable and in another preferred embodiment the unit is surrounded by the door leaf with exception from the lateral side of the door leaf, in a mounted state.
In another embodiment, the power source unit comprises a power source and a power source holder arranged to hold the power source.
In yet another embodiment, the power source is a battery pack.
The power source unit may further comprise a power indicating device connected to the power source and configured to visually and/or with sound indicate the status of the power source.
In an embodiment, the power source unit may further comprise at least one communication device configured to send a wireless status signal to an external object indicating the power status of the power source.
In a second aspect, there is provided an electronic communication unit for an electronic door lock configured to at least partly be inserted into a cavity of a door leaf. The communication unit comprises a communication unit configured to communicate with and/or identify a person and/or an object by receiving information from the person/object and/or collecting information from the person/object. It further comprises a transmitter unit connected to the communication unit and configured to transmit a signal, based on the received or gathered information, to the electronic door lock, wherein the signal is configured to cause the electronic door lock to lock or unlock the door. Yet further, the unit comprises a door integrated power source unit as described above, configured to provide the communication unit and the transmitter unit with power.
In addition, an emergency power source is disclosed herein. The emergency power source being configured to power the electronic communication unit and/or a key pad thereof.
In a preferred embodiment, the communication unit is inserted into the door leaf from a lateral edge portion of the door leaf.
In a third aspect, there is provided a door leaf comprising a door integrated power source unit as described above, wherein the door leaf comprises a cavity for receiving the power source unit from a lateral side of the door leaf.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described in the following, reference being made to the appended drawings, which illustrate non-limiting examples of how the inventive concept can be reduced into practice.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a section of a door leaf with a cavity for receiving an electronic communication unit,
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a section of a door leaf with an electronic communication unit according to an embodiment,
Fig. 3a is a perspective back view of the unit in Fig. 2 in a dissembled state,
Fig. 3b is a perspective back view of the unit in Fig. 2 in an assembled state,
Fig. 4a is a perspective front view of the unit in Fig. 2 in a dissembled state,
Fig. 4b is a perspective front view of the unit in Fig. 2 in an assembled state,
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the door with the door integrated battery pack in a pre-mounted state,
Figs 6a-b are perspective views of the door with an electronic communication unit according to some embodiments;
Fig. 7a is a perspective view of a part of a door leaf with a battery pack in a mounted state according to one embodiment;
Fig. 7b is a perspective view of a part of the door leaf in Fig. 7a with the battery pack in a pre-mounted state according to one embodiment; and
Figs 8a-d are perspective views of a battery pack in different states of assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the accompanying drawings a door integrated power source unit 10 mounted in a door leaf 1 is shown. The power source unit is configured to provide power to, for example, an electronic communication unit 20 and/or an electronic door lock 30. The door is preferably a door of a residential property or the like. Further, the door leaf 1 has a cavity 2 which is designed to receive the power source unit 10. The cavity 2 opens up from a lateral side 3 of the door leaf 1 and extends from the lateral side 3 into the interior of the door leaf 1, preferably without effecting the outer surfaces 4 of the door leaf 1. The lateral side 3 may be either a front lateral side (shown in Fig. 5), or a back lateral side (shown in Figs 7a-b). In other embodiments, it is possible for the cavity to, at least to some extent, extend out to one or both outer surfaces, but in the shown embodiment the cavity 2 does not affect the outer surfaces 4. This is an advantage when a user does not wish to change the appearance of the door leaf from the outside.
In the shown embodiment, the power source unit 10 is inserted from the same lateral side 3 as the electronic door lock 30 is arranged. In alternative embodiments, the power source unit can be inserted from another lateral side of the door leaf 1.
The door integrated power source unit 10 is preferably detachable such that it becomes easy to access every part of the power source unit 10. Included in the power source unit 10 is a power source 11 and a power source holder 12 arranged to hold the power source 10. In the shown embodiment, the power source is a battery pack 11 containing four batteries 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d. Thus, the power source holder 12 includes four compartments 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, each one being configured to receive a battery 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d. The amount of batteries and compartments as well as the type of batteries used may of course vary.
Further, the integrated power source unit 10 includes a power indicating unit 14 connected to the power source 11 and configured to visually and/or with sound indicate the status of the power source 11. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the power indicating device 14 is arranged at the lateral side 3 such that it easily can be seen by a user when the door 1 is open. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3 and 4, the power indicating device 14 is mounted to a frame 21 of the communication unit 20, connected to the power source 11 but it might as well be mounted directly to the power source unit 10.
In an alternative embodiment, the power indicating device can be located somewhere else, for example on the door frame, or on the wall next to the door. In yet another embodiment, the power indicating device can be integrated with for example an application of a mobile terminal, such as a touch mobile, a non-touch mobile or a tablet. A wireless status signal is sent from the integrated power source unit to the smart phone letting a user know the power status of the power source.
The power source unit 10 may also have a front portion 16 with an oblong shape arranged to cover the opening of the cavity 2 and at least parts of a first portion 21a of a frame 21 of the communication unit 20. It is also preferably arranged in line with the outer surface of the lateral side 3 such that it does not affect the function or appearance of the lateral side 3 of the door 1.
The door integrated power source unit 10 is preferably a part of an electronic communication unit 20. The communication unit 20 is configured to assist an electronic door lock 30 or lock case, arranged on/in the door leaf 1, preferably a door leaf of a residential property or the like, to be locked and unlocked. The communication unit 20 is also received in the cavity 2 of the door leaf 1 by inserting it from the lateral side 3. In a mounted state, where the communication unit 20 is mounted in the door leaf 3, the unit is arranged in line with or inside the surface of the lateral side 3, i.e. no part of the unit 20 protrude from the lateral side 3 of the leaf 1.
Furthermore, the communication unit 20 includes a frame 21 with a first portion 21a having a substantially oblong rectangular shape with round edges. The first portion 21a has an opening 22 extending in the longitudinal direction of the first portion 21a. The shape of the opening 22 is formed such that it can receive the removable power source holder 12. In an assembled state, the power source holder 12 is mounted to the first portion 21a of the frame 21 by means of screws (not shown).
Around the opening 22, extending in a direction into the door leaf 1, there is a second portion 21b, now called a support portion, protruding perpendicular from the surface of the first portion 21a. The support portion 21b is configured to support the power source holder 12 in an assembled state, and to support and connect a circuit board 23 of the unit 20. The circuit board 23 has at least one communication device 24 which can be arranged anywhere on the door leaf 1 or in the vicinity of the door leaf 1, for example on the door frame (not shown) or on the wall next to the door. In one embodiment, the communication device is arranged within the door leaf, in level with or inside the outer surface 4 of the door leaf 1.
In one shown embodiment, the communication device 24 is arranged behind the outer surface 4. Preferably, the communication device 24 is covered by the outer surface 4 or an outer layer (not shown) of the door leaf 1 such that the cavity 2 is not reachable from the outside of the door leaf 1.
In an embodiment, the outer surface 4 or layer covering the communication device 24 is made from a material which has a suitable thickness such that the communication device 24 is visible through the surface/layer when enlightened. The thickness of the outer surface 4 may depend on the material used. In this way the communication device 24 may be hidden when not in use and only visible when a user wants to open the door 1. The surface/layer can be a separate layer or an integrated part of the door leaf 1.
The communication device 24 is configured to communicate with and/or identify a person and/or an object by receiving information from this person P/object O and/or collecting information from the person P/object O. Preferably, the communication device 24 is configured to receive information from an output signal of the object O, receive information provided by a person P and/or collect information by reading a readable item. All through this application, the communication between the communication device 24 and the person P/object O is made by short-range or long-range wireless data communication. The communication between the device and the person P/object O is preferably made by wireless short-range communication. Short-range wireless data communication standards such as Bluetooth®, WiFi (e.g. IEEE 802.11, wireless LAN), Near Field Communication (NFC), RF-ID (Radio Frequency Identification) or Infrared Data Association (IrDA) may for example be used.
If information is received by an output signal of an object, the object may for example be a mobile terminal such as a touch phone, a non-touch phone, a touch pad, a tablet or similar smart units. The object can be configured to send the output signal with the information to the communication unit 24. The output signal may preferably be sent by an application of the mobile terminal.
If the information is provided by a person, i.e. a user or an operator, the person can provide it by maneuvering a touch screen, at least one button or a key pad 24a, 24b which can be located either on the door leaf 1 or remote. Another alternative is to identify the person P by means of fingerprints.
Further, if the information is gathered by reading a readable item, such an item can be a tag, a QR-code, a barcode or similar.
In an embodiment, the communication device is a key pad 24a, as can be seen in Fig. 6, located on the outside surface of the door leaf 1. In another embodiment, the communication device can be any other possible communication unit, mounted to the outside surface of the door leaf, and in yet another embodiment the communication device can be located away from the door and for example be mounted to a door frame or a wall close to the door. In addition, the communication unit can send a wireless signal to for example a mobile terminal, by means of an application or such, so that the mobile terminal or the application therein becomes the communication device.
The communication unit 20 further includes a transmitter unit 26 connected to the communication device 24 and to the electronic door lock 30. The transmitter unit 26 is configured to transmit a signal, based on the received or gathered information, to the electronic door lock 30 telling the electronic door lock 30 to lock or unlock the door 1. The power source unit 10 is arranged to provide the communication device 24 and the transmitter unit 26 with power.
Further, there is provided power means 18a, 18b for providing electricity to the circuit board 23 and transmitter unit 26 on an end side 17 of the power source holder 12 and on the circuit board 23.
In an embodiment, the disclosed system comprises an emergency power source 29, shown in Fig. 6a. The emergency power source may connect to the key pad 24a, thereby securing the function of the communication unit 20 and thus improving reliability and safety of a door leaf 1 comprising the integrated power source unit 10. Alternatively, the emergency power source 29 connects to the communication unit 20. The emergency power source 10 may be resorted to and utilized should the door integrated power source unit 10 fail to provide electric power to the communication unit 20. This may occur for example if the power source 11 become depleted, damaged, manipulated or tampered with. The emergency power source is arranged on an inside of the door leaf 1, between a frontal and a dorsal side of the door 1 and may preferably be inserted into the door leaf 1 from a lateral edge portion 3 of the door leaf 1. The emergency power source may be in the form of a battery pack or power bank which connect to the key pad 24a or communication device 20. The emergency power source may connect to the keypad 24a or communication device 20 by means of a cable, such as via a USB-connection.
In Figs 7a-7b, another embodiment is shown, in which the power source unit 10 is arranged in a cavity 2 on the back lateral side 3 of the door leaf 1, i.e. the side which is to be hinged to a door opening. In this embodiment, the communication unit 20 is still arranged on the opposite lateral side 3 of the door leaf 1. The cavity 2 and the power source unit 10 in an unmounted state is shown in Fig. 7b. A power cord recess 31 leading from the cavity 2 to the communication unit 20, arranged on the opposite lateral side 3 of the door leaf 1 is also shown in Fig. 7b. This recess 31 is configured to receive a power cord (not shown) arranged to supply power from the power source unit 10 to the communication device 20.
Figs 8a-8d show different views of the power source unit 10 in different states of assembly. In Fig. 8a, the power source unit 10 is assembled, i.e. the power source holder 12 is inserted into the power source unit 10. In Fig. 8b, the power source holder 12 is removed from the power source unit 10. In Figs. 8c-8d, the power source holder 12 is removed from the power source unit 10, and a cover 32 is removed from the power source unit 10.
In all Figs 8a-8d a power connector 19 is shown. The power cord connector 19 is configured to connect the power cord supplying power to the communication device 20. In another embodiment, the communication device 20 is power by the mains, e.g. via a cable arranged in a door frame. In this case, the power cord connector 19 may be configured to receive power from the mains, and the battery pack is configured to function as a back-up power source.
Finally, although the inventive concept has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Rather, the invention is limited only by the accompanying claims and other embodiments that the specific above are equally possible within the scope of these appended claims. Features of different embodiments may be combined unless otherwise stated.

Claims

A detachable door integrated power source unit for providing power to an electronic communication unit (20) and/or an electronic door lock (30), wherein the integrated power source unit (10) is arranged to be inserted into a cavity (2) of a door leaf (1) from a lateral edge portion (3) of said door leaf (1), wherein said power source unit (10) has a front portion (16) with an oblong shape arranged to cover the opening of the cavity (2), a power source (11) and a power source holder (12) arranged to hold said power source (11).
The door integrated power source unit according to claim 1, said unit being surrounded by the door leaf (1) with exception from the lateral side (3) of said door leaf (1), in a mounted state.
The door integrated power source unit according to claim 1, wherein said power source is a battery pack (11a-d).
The door integrated power source unit according to claim 1 or 3, said unit further comprising a power indicating device (14) connected to said power source (11) and configured to visually and/or with sound indicate the status of said power source (11).
The door integrated power source unit according to claim 1 or 3, further comprising at least one communication device (24) configured to send a wireless status signal to an external object (O) indicating the power status of the power source (11).
An electronic communication unit (20) for an electronic door lock (30) configured to be at least partly inserted into a cavity (2) of a door leaf (1), said unit (30) comprising:
a communication unit (23) configured to communicate with and/or identify a person (P) and/or an object (O) by receiving information from said person (P)/object (O) and/or collecting information from said person (P)/object (O),

a transmitter unit (26) connected to said communication unit (23) and configured to transmit a signal, based on the received or gathered information, to said electronic door lock (30), wherein said signal is configured to cause said electronic door lock (30) to lock or unlock said door (1), and

a door integrated power source unit (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, configured to provide said communication unit (23) and said transmitter unit (26) with power.
A door leaf comprising a door integrated power source unit (10) according to any one of the claims 1-5, wherein said door leaf (1) comprises a cavity (2) for receiving said power source unit (10) from a lateral side (3) of said door leaf (1).