Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electronic door lock operating device configured to operate a door lock by moving a lock bolt of an associated lock case, the device comprising an electric motor, a lock bolt operating member, the lock bolt operating member being connectable to a lock bolt following member of a door lock, and a coupling arrangement for connecting the motor to the lock bolt operating member. Background Art

Retrofittable lock operating devices for conventional deadbolt locks are widely used today. WO201 1 /160628 discloses such a lock operating device.

The lock operating device has an electric motor which is in connection with the lock bolt via a transmission. Upon activation of the electrical motor rotational movement of the motor is transmitted to the lock case for locking or unlocking the door. The door lock may also be operated manually from the inside by turning a lock knob.

Also, the lock operating device has an electromagnetic coupling arrangement that disengages the electrical motor when not activated.

However, this coupling arrangement is considered to be complex.

Furthermore, the power consumption of such a device is considered to be high.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved electronic door lock operating device.

These and other objects that will be apparent from the following summary and description are achieved by an electronic door lock operating device according to the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure there is provided an electronic door lock operating device configured to operate a door lock by moving a lock bolt of an associated lock case, the device comprising an electric motor, a lock bolt operating member, the lock bolt operating member being connectable to a lock bolt following member of a door lock, and a coupling arrangement for connecting the motor to the lock bolt operating member, wherein the coupling arrangement comprises a first coupling member, which is fixedly mounted on a rotatable output shaft of the motor, a second coupling member, which is rotatably and axially displaceably mounted on a coupling shaft, the second coupling member being movable along said coupling shaft between a first disengaged position, to which it is biased by a biasing element and in which the motor is disconnected from the lock bolt operating member, and an engaged position, in which the second coupling member is arranged to rotate with the first coupling member and in which said coupling arrangement connects the motor to the lock bolt operating member, a guide device arranged to prevent the second coupling member from rotating with the first coupling member when the second coupling member is in a disengaged position, and a ramp device comprising at least one ramp surface and configured to, upon rotation of the first coupling member relative to the second coupling member, move the second coupling member from said first disengaged position to said engaged position.

Since the second coupling member is rotatably connected to a coupling shaft, which may be an extension of the motor output shaft, the first coupling member may rotate relative to the second coupling member with respect to a central axis of the coupling arrangement. This has the advantage that the first coupling member may, upon rotation relative to the second coupling member, move the second coupling member to an engaged position. By rotating the motor output shaft the second coupling member may thus be moved from a disengaged position, in which the motor is disconnected from the lock bolt operating member, to an engaged position, in which the motor is connected to the lock bolt operating member for transferring power thereto.

When the second coupling member is in a disengaged position, the first coupling member can rotate relative to the second coupling member and move the second coupling member axially. Upon axial movement of the second coupling member from a disengaged position to an engaged position, a friction force may, as long as the second coupling member is in a

disengaged position, prevent the second coupling member from rotating with the first coupling member. Upon continued rotation of the first coupling member in the same direction when the second coupling member has reached an engaged position, in which the second coupling member is engaged with the first coupling member, the second coupling member rotates with the first coupling member. Then, the lock bolt operating member, which is in mechanical engagement with the first coupling member via the second coupling member also rotates. In the engaged position the first coupling member, the second coupling member and the lock operating member are thus engaged with each other so as to rotate together as a single unit.

When the coupling arrangement is in the engaged position the electrical motor is thus operatively connected to the lock bolt following member. A door locking operation, or a door unlocking operation, may then be performed by means of the motor. During a door locking operation, which involves movement of the lock bolt of a lock case from a retracted position corresponding to a door unlocked position to a protruded position

corresponding to a door locked position, the motor output shaft is rotated in one direction, and during a door unlocking operation, which involves movement of the lock bolt from a protruded position to a retracted position, the motor output shaft is rotated in an opposite direction. The second coupling member may thus be moved to an engaged state by the first coupling member, which is fixed to the motor output shaft, in a simple manner by means of the motor. Hence, no additional actuator for moving the second coupling member to an engaged position is needed, which provides for a compact solution.

The operation of an existing lock case may vary. For instance, in one existing lock case one revolution of the lock following member is required to perfom a locking or unlocking operation. Another existing lock case requires two revolutions of the lock following member to perform a locking or unlocking operation.

In the engaged position, the second coupling member may rotate freely without limitation. This has the advantage that the lock operating device may be used on an existing lock regardless of to which extent the lock following member of the actual lock case has to be turned to move the lock bolt from a door unlocked position to a door locked position in order to perform a door locking operation. Hence, the coupling arrangement allows the device to be used for many different existing lock cases and thus provides for a flexible solution.

The coupling arrangement enables a compact and slim solution with low power consumtion since the second coupling member is moved axially beetween a disengaged position and an engaged position. Furthermore, the coupling arrangement provides for a robust solution since the second coupling member is moved axially upon connecting and disconnecting of the motor.

Furthermore, the axial movement of the second coupling member enables the position thereof to be determined in a very accurate manner. Hence, control electronics of the electronic door lock operating device may always be aware of the exact axial position of the second coupling member and thereby whether the second coupling member is situated in a disengaged or in an engaged position, i.e. if the motor is disconnected from or connected to the lock bolt operating member. This has the advantage that mechanical end positions of the lock bolt of a lock case may be avoided. The rotational movement of the motor may thus be stopped before such a mechanical end stop is reached, which minimizes power consumption and wear on the motor and wear parts. Hence, the electric motor may be controlled in a way that saves power and/or minimizes the need for maintenace and/or extends the life of components of the lock operating device. A cost and power efficient lock operating device having a long service interval may thus be achieved.

Furthermore, the coupling arrangement enables the electric motor to be disconnected from the lock bolt operating member and thus allows manual operation a mechanical door fitted with the electronic lock operating device. A door lock provided with the electronic door lock operating device may thus be operated manually by turning a lock knob or using a mechanical key. The door lock may thus be operated either electrically or manually using the door lock operating device. The guide device is arranged to prevent the second coupling member from rotating with the first coupling member when the second coupling member is in a disengaged position, i.e. in a position in which the motor is disconnected from the lock bolt operating member. Hence, the guide device is arranged to prevent the second coupling member from rotating with the first coupling member when the second coupling member is in the first

disengaged position or in another disengaged position. In the engaged position, the guide device allows the second coupling member to rotate relative to the coupling shaft. Then, the second coupling member rotates with the first coupling member upon rotation of the motor output shaft.

The biasing element may be a resilient element.

According to one embodiment the biasing element is a spring.

The ramp device allows the second coupling member to be moved between a disengaged position and an engaged position in a very controllable manner.

According to one embodiment the guide device comprises a projecting portion and a guiding aperture arranged to guide said projecting portion upon movement of the second coupling member from said first disengaged position to said engaged position.

According to one embodiment the guide device comprises a guide element being connected to the second coupling member.

According to one embodiment said guide element comprises said projecting portion. The second coupling member may thus be moved axially under the guidance of a projecting portion of a guide element, the projecting portion being received in a guiding aperture.

According to one embodiment the guide device is adapted to guide the second coupling member to move substantially axially along the coupling shaft of the coupling arrangement when the second coupling member is in a disengaged position.

According to one embodiment the guide element is magnetically connected to the second coupling member.

According to one embodiment the guide device comprises a friction element arranged to prevent the second coupling member from rotating with the first coupling member when the second coupling member is in a disengaged position. The friction element is thus arranged to apply a friction force to the second coupling member that prevents the second coupling member from initially rotating with the first coupling member and as long as the second coupling member is in a disengaged position.

The coupling arrangement may thus comprise a separate friction element, e.g. in the form of a magnetic element or a spring element. The friction element prevent the second coupling member from rotating with the first coupling member until the second coupling member engages the lock operating member, i.e. until the second coupling member has reached an engaged position.

The friction element thus forces the second coupling member to move axially to an engaged position, i.e. into engagement with each of the first coupling member and the lock bolt following member. Upon continued rotation of the first coupling member in the same direction the second coupling member rotates with the first coupling member. Then, the lock bolt operating member is operatively connected to the first coupling member via the second coupling member.

According to one embodiment the coupling arrangement further comprises a guide device adapted to guide the the second coupling member to move substantially axially along a coupling shaft of the coupling

arrangement. The second coupling member may thus be moved axially under the guidance of a guide device.

According to one embodiment the guide element is magnetically connected to the second coupling member.

According to one embodiment the guide element is connected to the second coupling member by means of a biasing element, such as a biasing spring.

According to one embodiment the guide element is ring-shaped.

According to one embodiment the electronic door lock operating device further comprises a linear position sensor for determining the position of the second coupling member. The linear position sensor may be arranged to determine the axial position of a guide element of the coupling arrangement. This allows the axial position of the second coupling member to be

determined with very high precision.

According to one embodiment the position sensor comprises an optical sensor, a hall effect sensor or a micro switch.

According to one embodiment the lectronic door lock operating device further comprising a motion sensor, such as a pulse sensor or rotary encoder, for controlling the motor.

According to one embodiment the electronic door lock operating device further comprises a linear position sensor for determining the position of the second coupling member and a motion sensor for controlling the motor

The combination of a linear position sensor for determining the axial position of the axially displaceably second coupling member and a motion sensor for controlling the motor enables accurate control of the door lock operating device. The door lock operating device may thus be operated without moving a lock bolt to a mechanical end position, which reduces wear of the electronic lock operating device significantly.

According to one embodiment the electronic door lock operating device is configured to communicate wirelessly with an electronic key.

The electronic door lock operating device thus enables a mechanical door lock to be operated by an electronic lock device that communicates with the electronic door lock operating device wirelessly using radio

communication.

According to one embodiment the motor lock device is battery powered.

According to one embodiment the coupling arrangement comprises a primary coupling device, preferably in the form of an interference coupling, and a secondary coupling device, prefereably in the form of an interference coupling.

According to one embodiment the coupling arrangement comprises a primary coupling device, which is arranged to, when the second coupling member is situated in said engaged position, rotationally lock the first and the second coupling members to each other, and a secondary coupling device, which is arranged to, when the second coupling member is situated in said engaged position, rotationally lock the second coupling member and the lock bolt operating member to each other.

According to one embodiment at least one of the primary coupling device and the secondary coupling device comprises an interference coupling.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the claims and the embodiments described hereinafter. Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will hereafter be described in more detail and with reference to the appended schematic drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a door provided with an electronic door lock operating device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view and shows the door lock operating device in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view and shows parts of the door lock operating device in Fig. 1 .

Figs. 4a-b are perspective views and show a coupling arrangement of the door lock operating device in Fig. 2 in a disengaged position.

Fig. 5 is a partly sectioned view of the coupling arrangement in Fig 4a in a disengaged position.

Figs. 6a-b are perspective views and illustrate the coupling

arrangement in Fig. 4a during transition from a disengaged position to an engaged position.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view and shows the coupling arrangement in Fig. 4a in an engaged position.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

Fig. 1 shows a door 1 provided with an electronic door lock operating device 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The door 1 , which may be a standard building door, is provided with a mechanical door lock 5. The door lock operating device 3 is mounted to a lock case 7 of the mechanical door lock 5 for operating a lock bolt 9 (or deadbolt) of the lock 5, i.e. for locking and unlocking the mechanical door lock 5. The lock case 7 is a mechanical device that allows retraction and protrusion of the lock bolt 9. A corresponding recess (not shown) is provided in an adjacent door frame for accomodating the protruded lock bolt when the door is locked. The electronic door lock operating device 3 is configured to operate the door lock 5 by moving the lock bolt 9 of the associated lock case 7 between a retracted position corresponding to a door unlocked position and a protruded position corresponding to a door locked position.

Now referring to Fig. 2 the electronic door lock operating device 3 comprises a housing 1 1 , a turn knob 13, which is is operatively connected to the lock bolt 9, and a base plate 15 to which the housing 1 1 and other parts of the electronic door lock operating device 3 is connected. The base plate 15 comprises a connection portion 17 configured to engage the connection portion of a mounting plate (not shown) secured to a door for mounting of the electronic door lock operating device 3 to the door.

The electronic door lock operating device 3 further comprises an electric motor 21 , a coupling arrangement 23 and a lock bolt operating member 25.

The lock bolt operating member 25 is connected to a rotatable lock following member 27 of the mechanical lock 5 by a bevel gear transmission 29. The bevel gear transmission 29 is formed by a bevel gear 31 of the lock bolt operating member 25 and a bevel gear 33 of the lock following member 27.

The rotatable lock following member 27 is fixedly connected to the tail piece (not shown) of the door lock 5 in such a manner that by turning the lock following member 27 the lock bolt 9 of the lock 5 is operated. Upon rotation of the lock following member 27 the lock bolt 9 thus moves in or out from the lock case 7.

The coupling arrangement 23 is arranged to connect the motor 21 to the lock bolt operating member 25 for turning the lock bolt following member 27 via the transmission 29. The coupling arrangement 23 is thus arranged to connect the motor 21 to the lock bolt operating member 25 for turning the lock bolt following member 27, thereby operating the lock bolt 9 of the door lock 5. The lock bolt operating member 25 is thus arranged to operate the lock bolt 9 via the rotatable lock following member 27 when the motor 21 is connected to the lock bolt operating member 25, i.e. when the coupling arrangement 23 is in the engaged position. The lock bolt 9 may be operated from a door locked position, in which the door lock 5 is locked, to a door unlocked position, in which the door lock 5 is unlocked, or from the door unlocked position to the door locked position, by the motor 21 .

When the motor 21 is disconnected from the lock bolt operating member 25, i.e. when the coupling arrangement 23 is in an disengaged position, the lock bolt operating member 25 may be operated manually by turning the lock knob 13 or using a mechanical key (not shown).

Now referring to Fig. 3 the coupling arrangement 23 comprises a first coupling member 35, which is fixedly mounted on an output shaft 37 of the motor 21 , a second coupling member 39, which is rotatably and axially displaceably mounted on the motor output shaft 37, a friction element, also referred to as guide element 41 , in the form of a magnet friction ring 41 , a biasing spring 43 and the lock bolt operating member 25 which is rotatably connected to the motor output shaft 37. An extended portion of the motor output shaft 37 thus forms a coupling shaft of the coupling arrangement 23.

The second coupling member 39 comprises a first coupling portion 45 which is configured to interact with a coupling portion 47 of the first coupling member 35, thereby forming an interference coupling between the first and the second coupling members 35, 39 together with the coupling portion 47 of the first coupling member 35. To this end the coupling portion 47 of the first coupling member 35 comprises two engagement projections 46, which are illustrated in Fig. 4b, extending in an axial direction, i.e. in a direction parallel to the motor output shaft 37 and the first coupling portion 45 of the second coupling member 39 comprises two axially extending engagement projections 48.

The second coupling member 39 further comprises a second coupling portion 49 which is configured to interact with a coupling portion 51 of the operating member 25, thereby forming an interference coupling between the second coupling member 39 and the operating member 25 together with the connection portion 51 of the lock operating member 25. Each of the second coupling portion 49 of the second coupling member 39 and the coupling portion 51 of the operating member 25 comprises several axially extending teeth 50, 52.

The coupling arrangement 23 thus comprises a primary coupling device 46, 48, in the form of a first inteference coupling, between the first coupling member 35 and the second coupling member 39 and a secondary coupling device 50, 52, in the form of a second interference coupling, between the second coupling member 39 and the lock operating member 25.

Furthermore, the first coupling member 35 comprises a ramp surface 53 facing the second coupling member 39 and the second coupling member 39 comprises a ramp surface 55 facing the first coupling member 35. The ramp surfaces 53, 55 together form a ramp device 56 configured to move the second coupling member 39 axially along the coupling shaft 37 upon rotation of the first coupling member 35 relative to the second coupling member 39, as will be described hereinafter with reference to Figs. 6a-b.

The magnetic friction ring 41 is connected to the second coupling member 39 by means of two magnets, of which one 57 is shown in Fig. 3, received in magnet holders 59 formed in the second magnetic coupling member 39. The magnetic friction ring 41 has a projecting portion 61 which is configured to be received in an elongated guide aperture 63 formed in the base plate 15 of the lock operating device 3. The magnetic friction ring 41 forms a guide element. The guide element 41 forms a guide device together with the guide aperture 63. The projecting portion 61 , which forms part of the guide element 41 , thus forms part of the guide device. The guide device 41 , 61 , 63 is configured to guide the second coupling member 39 axially during transition from a disengaged position to an engaged position.

The lock operating device 3 further comprises control electronics (not shown) and a linear position sensor (not shown), such as a an optical sensor, a hall effect sensor or a micro swith, for determining the axial position of the second coupling member 39. Such a linear position sensor may be arranged to determine the position of the projecting portion 61 of the guide element 41 .

The lock operating device 3 further comprises a motion sensor 64, such as a pulse sensor or rotary encoder, connected to the output shaft 37 of the motor 21 . The motion sensor 64 enables speed control of the motor 21 . Furthermore, the motion sensor 64 enables the exact angular position of the shaft 37 to be determined whereby it is possible to determine if the door lock 5 is in a locked state or in an unlocked state.

The electric motor 21 is powered by several batteries 65 disposed in a battery compartment 67 of the lock operating device 3.

Fig. 4a illustrates the coupling arrangement 23 in a disengaged state, i.e. in a state in which the motor 21 is disconnected from the lock operating member 25. In this state the second coupling member 39 is biased to a first disengaged position by the biasing spring 43. In the first disengaged position, as well as in other disengaged positions, the teeth 50 of the second coupling member 39 and the teeth 52 of the operating member 25 are axially separated from each other, i.e. the engagement portions 50, 52 of the secondary coupling device are disconnected from each other. The teeth 50 of the second coupling member 39 are thus held away from engagement with the teeth 52 of the operating member 25 by the spring 43. Also, in the first disengaged position, as well as in other disengaged positions, the

engagement projections 46 of the first coupling member 35, which are illustrated in Fig. 4b, and the engagement projections 48 of the second coupling member 39, which are also illustrated in Fig. 4b, are rotationally separated from each other, i.e. the engagement portions 46, 48 of the primary coupling device are disconnected from each other.

Fig. 4b shows the first coupling member 35, the second coupling member 39 and the magnetic ring 41 separated from each other for the purpose of illustration of features of the coupling arrangement 23. The ramp surfaces 53, 55, which are visible in Fig. 4b, are configured to, upon rotation of the first coupling member 35 relative to the second coupling member 39, move the second coupling member 39 axially from the first disengaged position to an engaged position. Upon movement of the second coupling member 39 from the first disengaged position to the engaged position, intermediate disenengaged positions, i.e. positions in which in which the motor 21 is disconnected from the lock operating member 25, are passed. In this embodiment the ramp device thus comprises two ramp surfaces 53, 55. It is however appreciated that the ramp device of the coupling arrangement may comprise one single ramp surface arranged to engage an abutment.

Now referring to Fig. 5, which also shows the coupling arrangement 23 in a disengaged state, the biasing spring 43 is arranged between the second coupling member 39 and the lock operating member 25 and to bias the second coupling member 39 against the first coupling member 35, as illustrated by arrows in Fig. 5. In the first disengaged position the biasing spring 43 thus holds the teeth 50 of the second coupling member 39 and the teeth 52 of the operating member 25 at a distance from each other.

Figs. 6a-b illustrate transition of the coupling arrangement 23 from the disengaged state to an engaged state, i.e. to a state in which the motor 21 is drivingly connected to the operating member 25 so as to transfer rotational movement of the electric motor 21 to the lock operating member 25. As described hereinbefore the first coupling member 35 is fixedly mounted on the motor output shaft 37 and may thus be rotated by the motor 21 . Upon rotation of the first coupling member 35, as illustrated by arrow A in Figs. 6a-b, the ramp device 56 forces the second coupling member 39 to move axially, as illustrated by arrow B in Fig. 6a, under the guidance of the guide device 41 , 61 , 63. During this movement, the projecting portion 61 of the guide element 41 is guided in the guiding aperture 63.

Upon such rotation of the first coupling member 35 relative to the second coupling member 39 the engagement projections 46 of the first coupling member 35 are rotated into engagement with the engagement projections 48 of the second coupling member 39, as illustrated by arrows C in Fig. 6b. Furthermore, upon the axial movement of the second coupling member 39, which is caused by the ramp device 56, the teeth 50 of the second coupling member 39 are moved into engagement with the teeth 52 of the lock operating member 25.

As mentioned hereinbefore the guide element 41 is magnetically connected to the second coupling member 39 and has a projecting portion 61 received in a guide aperture 63. The magnetic ring 41 is thus prevented from rotating by the projecting portion 61 . The coupling force of the magnetic coupling between the guide element 41 and the second coupling member 39 is adapted to prevent the second coupling ring 39 from rotating with the first coupling member 35 until the engagement projections 46, 48 of the primary coupling device are engaged to each other.

During transition from the disengaged state to the engaged state the magnetic friction element 41 , which is magnetically connected to the first coupling member 35 thus guides the second coupling member 39 to move axially and thus prevents the second coupling member 39 from rotating with the first coupling member 35 when the second coupling member 39 is in a disengaged position.

Fig. 7 illustrates the coupling arrangement 23 in an engaged state, i.e. a state in which the motor 21 is drivingly connected to the operating member 25 by the coupling arrangement. In the engaged state the second coupling member 39 is in an engaged position. In the engaged position, the

engagement projections 46, 48 of the primary coupling device are engaged with each other and the teeth 50, 52 of the secondary coupling device are engaged with each other. Then, rotational movement is transferred from the motor 21 to the lock operating member 25 as the motor output shaft 37 is further rotated. Hence, upon continued rotation of the motor output shaft 37, illustrated by arrow D in Fig. 6, each of the second coupling member 39, the lock operating member 25, the lock following member 27 and the tail piece (not shown) is rotated, as illustrated by arrows E-H in Fig. 7. Then, the lock bolt 9 is operated by the motor 21 and may be moved from a retracted position, in which the door lock 5 is in an unlocked state, to a protruded position in which the door lock 5 is in an unlocked state.

Upon rotation of the first coupling member 35 in an opposite direction the second coupling member 39 is moved from the engaged position, illustrated in Fig. 7, to the disengaged position, illustrated in Fig. 4a. Hence, by performing a motion of the electric motor 21 in an opposite direction the second coupling member 39 is disconnected from engagement with the lock operating member 25. When the coupling arrangement 23 is in the engaged position the electric motor 21 is operatively connected to the lock bolt following member. A door locking operation, or a door unlocking operation, may then be performed by means of the motor 21 . During a door locking operation, which involves movement of the lock bolt 9 from a retracted position to a protruded position, the motor output shaft 37 is rotated in one direction, and during a dunlocking operation, which involves movement of the lock bolt 9 from a protruded position to a retracted position, the motor output shaft 37 is rotated in an opposite direction.

After a locking or unlocking operation, the second coupling member 39 is free to return to a disengaged position. The second coupling member 39 may, e.g., be moved from an engaged position to a disengaged position, thereby disconnecting the motor 21 from the lock bolt rotating member 25, by operating the motor 21 in an opposite direction as described hereinbefore. The spring 43 maintains the second coupling member 39 in the first disengaged position until a locking or unlocking operation is initiated.

The linear position sensor (not shown) of the electronic door lock operating device 3 enables the exact axial position of the second coupling member 39 to be determined whereby it is possible to determine the exact axial position of the second coupling member 39 upon engagement with the first coupling member 35, i.e. the axial position in which electric motor 21 is connected to the lock bolt operating member 25.

Upon installation of the door lock operating device 3 the rotational movement of the lock following member 27 required to move the lock bolt 9 from a retracted position corresponding to a door unlocked state to a protruded position corresponding to a door locked state may be determined and used to control the motor 21 in such a manner that the motor 21 is stopped just before the lock bolt 9 reaches a mechanical end position of the lock bolt. Hence, the motor 21 may be configured to, in a door locking operation, stop when the lock bolt 9 has been moved to an intermediate door locked position in which the lock bolt 9 protudes slightly less than in the mechanical end position of the lock bolt arrangement but sufficiently to maintain the door lock 5 in a door locked state. It is realized by a person skilled in the art that features from various embodiments disclosed herein may be combined with one another in order to provide further alternative embodiments.